BULGARIA
GLAS Foundation
Workplace inclusion, community visibility, advocacy, and LGBTQIA+ protections.
About GLAS Foundation
GLAS Foundation (Gays and Lesbians Accepted in Society) is a Bulgarian non-governmental organization founded in 2014. It works to improve the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and other LGBTQIA+ people in Bulgaria and Eastern Europe, advancing equality, dignity, and protection from discrimination.
Its work focuses on creating a society in which LGBTQIA+ people can participate fully and openly in all aspects of life. Through community initiatives, engagement with families, workplace inclusion, public campaigns, and legal advocacy, GLAS works to challenge prejudice and build a more accepting society.
Programs & initiatives
Sofia Pride & Community Visibility
GLAS Foundation supports Sofia Pride and LGBTQIA+ community visibility in Bulgaria. Through public engagement, community participation, and visibility initiatives, the organization helps create opportunities for LGBTQIA+ people to be seen, heard, and recognized as equal members of society.
Advocacy Against Hate Crimes
Since 2015, GLAS Foundation has conducted public campaigns to raise awareness of discrimination, hate speech, and hate-motivated crimes against LGBTQIA+ people. Its advocacy has contributed to an important legislative milestone: in 2023, sexual orientation was included as a protected characteristic in Bulgaria’s hate-crime legislation. GLAS continues to advocate for stronger legal protections and greater equality under the law.
Rainbow Hub & Community Support
GLAS Foundation’s community work includes creating welcoming spaces where LGBTQIA+ people can connect, find support, and access resources. Rainbow Hub is an important part of this work: a community initiative that helps people connect, find support, and access resources.
Rainbow Cabinet & Mental Health
GLAS Foundation recognizes the importance of accessible and affirming mental-health support. Through Rainbow Cabinet, the organization provides free psychotherapy, helping LGBTQIA+ people access support in an environment where they can feel understood and accepted.
Working With Parents of LGBTQIA+ Children
GLAS Foundation works with parents and families to help them understand and support LGBTQIA+ children and relatives. Through informal groups and individual meetings, parents can share experiences, discuss concerns, challenge misconceptions, and develop a more accepting understanding of their children’s identities.
HIV/AIDS Education & Prevention
GLAS Foundation has worked to promote quality health education and challenge the stigma and misinformation surrounding HIV. Its initiatives have included awareness campaigns, support groups, and collaboration with health organizations to encourage regular testing and provide information about HIV prevention, treatment, and care.
Positive LGBTQIA+ Representation
GLAS Foundation works to challenge negative stereotypes and improve the representation of LGBTQIA+ people in Bulgarian society and media. Its initiatives include positive storytelling and educational projects designed to encourage greater understanding and acceptance. One example is its children’s book initiative, through which 1,000 copies were distributed to promote understanding and acceptance from an early age.
Diversity & Inclusion at Work — Work It OUT
GLAS Foundation established Work It OUT, an initiative bringing together businesses committed to workplace diversity and equality. Through corporate partnerships, awareness campaigns, training, and practical support, GLAS helps employers create environments where LGBTQIA+ employees can be open, respected, and treated equally. The organization also assists local and international businesses in developing more inclusive workplace policies and practices.
SELECTED PARTNER-REPORTED ACHIEVEMENTS
Impact through action.
GLAS Foundation’s work has produced measurable results across workplace inclusion, public awareness, and legal advocacy.
26+
corporate partners engaged through workplace inclusion initiatives.
30,000+
employees reached through diversity and inclusion activities.
200+
trainings and workshops delivered to promote more inclusive workplaces.
1.8 million+
people reached through a major public awareness campaign in 2026.
8.7 million+
campaign views generated through that campaign.
Beyond these figures, GLAS Foundation has contributed to an important legislative milestone, with sexual orientation included as a protected characteristic in Bulgaria’s hate-crime legislation in 2023. Its work also extends to mental-health support, community initiatives, Sofia Pride, and efforts to improve LGBTQIA+ representation in Bulgarian society.
Figures and achievements are based on GLAS Foundation reporting across different programs and reporting periods. They are not cumulative Out For Equality results.
Our contribution
Out For Equality supports GLAS Foundation through financial resources, strategic guidance, and connections that help strengthen its locally led work.
The programs and achievements described on this page are those of GLAS Foundation and its partners. Our role is to help support, strengthen, and connect the organizations working closest to the communities they serve.
Be part of the progress.
Support the work of GLAS Foundation and help strengthen the organizations advancing LGBTQIA+ equality in Bulgaria.