Romania: Protest in Bucharest against gender studies ban

Dozens of protesters gathered Thursday in Romania to express their opposition to a law banning the teaching of gender studies in the country's schools and universities.

People carrying banners and wearing masks - some with an "x" taped across them - attended the hour-long rally outside Bucharest's Cotroceni Palace, the official residence of President Klaus Iohannis.

They demanded he refrain from signing the bill and urged him to send it back to parliament, which approved the legislation Tuesday.

Some of the banners read: "This is an attack on the autonomy of the universities," "Open minds not closed doors" and "Biological sex is not gender identity."

"We think this is an assault against the transgender community in Romania," said Vlad Viski, president of MozaiQ, an LGBT organization. "All in all, approximately 12 articles of the constitution are violated if this law passes."

The law has been strongly criticized by several Romanian universities and student organizations, which see it as an attack on academic freedom and human rights.

Neighbouring Hungary passed similar legislation in 2018, removing accreditation and funding for gender studies at the university level.

Hungary recently banned transgender people from changing their gender on official documents.