︎︎︎
HOMOSOC

The exhibition “Homosoc”, the first in-depth research into homosexuality during comunism, launched on September 30 in PORT A gallery before a large audience. Historians, sociologists, students, curators and artists come together to present a summarised investigation on this period of history. Many came to learn about the places where couples would meet, jargons, judicial practices of persecution, the decriminilization of homosexuals in Bulgaria and attempts at curing their ‘condition’.

“A new regime took over Bulgaria precisely 75 years ago today. In the upcoming days, the most widespread terror in our recent history unravelled. Thousands were killed without a sentence, amongst whom many intellectuals, politicians, policemen, doctors, anyone whose viewpoints do not fit the status quo was doomed. Exactly 75 years ago the persecution of homosexual men began as well - the focus of today’s exhibition, which does not end with the fall of the regime. 75 years is a long enough period to forget those who were killed, to erase the acts of persecution  from our memory. However, 75 years is enough time to begin analysing our history, to search for answers,” says Simeon Vasilev at foundation GLAS during the launch of the exhibition.

There is too little information regarding homosexuality in Bulgaria during the comunist regime and often the data results from hearsay and gossip. Over the past few months foundation GLAS, along with European Cultural Foundation, investigated various sources of information focusing on the 50’s and 60’s.