Official Statement by Single Step Foundation Regarding the National Survey on Attitudes towards LGBTI+ Students in High Schools

In the past few days, our national survey on the experiences of LGBTI+ students aged between 14 and 19 in Bulgarian schools has come under targeted attack and misinformation on social media. We are deeply disturbed by the insinuations and dissemination of misleading information, the increasing hate speech and offensive language directed at both our work and the members of the community we have actively supported since our establishment in 2016.

We express our sincere gratitude to all participants and partners. The survey has important implications for ensuring a safe environment and equality for LGBTI+ youth in the Bulgarian education system. The number of participants needed for a nationally representative survey has been reached and the survey is now closed.

The current survey is a continuation of our long-term work to understand the challenges faced by LGBTI+ students in Bulgarian schools. Our previous national survey, conducted in the 2017/2018 school year, involved over 800 participants from across the country. It revealed alarming levels of bullying and violence, and a lack of effective methods to prevent and address these issues. According to the survey data:

• 71% of LGBTI+ students have been verbally bullied;
• 34% of LGBTI+ students have been physically bullied;
• 19% of LGBTI+ students have been physically assaulted;
• 51% of LGBTI+ students who plan to leave the country after graduation cite their sexual orientation or gender identity as the reason for doing so.

The main objectives of the current national survey are to explore the issues faced by LGBTI+ students and to provide evidence-based recommendations to create safer and more inclusive learning environments for all students.

The national survey is independent and is conducted without the support of the Ministry of Education or specific schools. The survey is part of a project supported by ILGA-Europe, in partnership with GLAS Foundation and Bilitis Resource Centre. Participation in the survey was completely voluntary and anonymous, ensuring the anonymity and safety of all participants. The data in the survey will be summarised in a report with recommendations that will be available to the public in the autumn of 2024.

LGBTI+ students are part of Bulgarian society and attend Bulgarian schools. Denying the existence of and ignoring LGBTI+ students is an act of social exclusion that creates a hostile environment of isolation and insecurity. The lack of understanding of the challenges faced by LGBTI+ youth directly affects not only them, but the entire school community, reflecting on multiple factors in the overall conditions in our country – including demographic, economic and cultural development.

We urge the public to engage in constructive dialogue and base their opinions on factual information obtained from reliable sources. The disturbing hate rhetoric that has accompanied this study in recent days underscores the need for urgent societal change, and our commitment to creating a safe and inclusive environment for all remains paramount.