Bulgaria Recognises Rights of Married Lesbian Couple in Historic First

A Bulgarian court has backed the right of a same-sex married couple to reside in the country for the first time in a landmark ruling.

The Sofia City Administrative Court ruled that the French-Australian couple should be allowed to live in Bulgaria together, reports Australian TV network SBS.

Cristina Palma, from Australia, married her partner Mariama Diallo in France in 2016, having met in Sydney 15 years ago.

The couple moved to Bulgaria together shortly afterwards. However, Palma's application to continue her residency in the country was rejected in 2017.

Palma then started a lawsuit over the refusal of her residency, which she won on June 29, when the Sofia court ruled in her favour.

It's believed to be the first time Bulgaria - a country where gay marriage and same-sex adoption remains illegal - has recognised the rights of a same-sex married couple in a case like this.

In January 2018, the European Court of Justice ruled that all EU nations have to recognise the rights of same-sex spouses, even if the government has not legalised equal marriage.

The historic case has been lauded by LGBT+ rights campaigners in the country.

Sofia Pride, which was held last month, posted on Facebook: "In a historic decision published on 29 June 2018, the Sofia City Administrative Court ruled in favour of a same-sex couple - Cristina and Mariama - who fought for their right to reside as a married couple in Bulgaria!

"This ruling is of paramount importance for us as a community because it gives hope to all same-sex couples, regardless of their citizenship, that their families will be recognized in Bulgaria!"

Palma, meanwhile, posted on Twitter: "We are part of making History in the #LGBT movement in Bulgaria."

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