On the 14th June of this very year, Polish president, Andrzej Duda as part of his re-election campaign stated that the ‘LGBT Ideology’ was worse than communism; pledging to fight it once he is re-elected.
Homosexuality has been legal in Poland since 1932, but that doesn’t mean by any stretch of the imagination that it’s supported. In August of 2019, roughly a third of the country was declared an ‘LGBT free zone’ by the regional governments of the respective areas, this was condemned by the EU & the provincial court of Poland. So that bears the question, why has this nation been called the worst place in the EU for LGBT people if it has historically protected these communities.
An Oppressive History.
Seven years after the legalisation of homosexuality, Poland was invaded by the Third Reich, and with it; bringing a wave of hatred, prohibiting homosexuality once again. Unfortunately, once the war had ended, Poland was ‘liberated’ into the frosty arms of the Soviet Union, where homosexuality was considered an illness & the act itself is criminal. This means that everyone growing up in Poland under the Communist regime was taught under a system that refuses to accept anything but what would be considered the 'normal'. Then consider that this doctrine which has been drilled into people since birth is now being passed between generations to continue this societal ignorance.
Rooted in Tradition.
Though much of the younger generations in major cities are more than accepting of LGBT people, as can be seen by an abundance of gay clubs & hospitals routinely carrying out gender reassignment surgery & clinics with hormone therapy, many people in rural areas & the older citizens of Poland contrast this. For the most part, the Catholic Church is a staple for many Poles, which influences the acceptance of the LGBT community with a quite traditional interpretation leading to people being pushed into dismay at this community. Furthermore, the ruling party of Poland, Law & Justice (PiS) is sitting in power hand-in-hand with the Polish Church, which is actually scaring off many believers who disagree with their politics. However this isn’t without opposition, Just two weeks ago at the time of writing the United Right Alliance, which includes PiS, won the presidential election by just one per cent, beating a liberal & progressive alliance. This alliance recently pushed a bill which banned conversion therapy in Poland, so at least not everything is moving backwards.
A Solution By The People.
The only viable way for LGBT people to be seen as equal in Poland is if there is a shift in governance, the nationalist led government blocks anti-discrimination laws, same-sex marriage & access to IVF for Lesbians for example. If a more progressive government was introduced, there is no doubt that these parties would work to make Poland a more modern, accepting place, as can be seen by their campaigns & work with groups promoting LGBT rights. From the outside, we can just hope that the generations holding the key to this nation's future steps up and votes out an outdated, benighted group holding back the potential for 38 million Poles.
Matt Minnis 23/07/20
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