A third of Poland’s local municipalities have decided to follow “against LGBT propaganda” or “pro-family” resolutions. This led to the creation of bitter and unfriendly areas for the ones not part of the “natural family”, i.e. not heterosexual. Take a look to know how and what transpired these “anti-LGBT” zones.
LGBT-free zones:
An area much larger than Hungary has turned into an effective “LGBT-free zone”. This is the heart of Central Europe and the activists created a map, namely “Atlas of Hate”. European Parliament, campaigners and international organisations have damned these resolutions. They quoted these resolutions are discriminating and undermine LGBTQ rights.
The data from official sources by the informal human rights activists collectives show that almost 100 municipalities have taken up this resolution. This also includes five voivodships (Poland’s largest administrative unit). Another voivodship was supposed to vote on a Monday, but it was postponed to give way for more debate in the communities.
Image Courtesy: pinknews.co.in
“We call on the Polish Government to repeal all anti-LGBT resolutions in accordance to national [anti-discrimination] law,” said Kuba Gwaron, the Atlas of Hate researcher. “Such resolutions are a threat to LGBT community and create an atmosphere of consent for violence.”
“Anti-LGBT” zones, not the first time in Poland:
Poland is not new to anti-LGBT policies. But the idea of completely stopping all LGBTQ “propagnada” was initiated from an agenda of the Law and Justice Party (PiS). PiS is Poland’s new majority party, that is led by Jaroslaw Kaczynski. Last fall, their anti-LGBTQ platform succeeded in winning.
“We don’t have to stand under the rainbow flag,” told Kaczynski to his supporters. He urged the citizens of Poland to defend their families from “Western decadence”. All those people who support the LGBTQ “threaten our identity, threaten our nation, threaten the Polish state”, claimed Kaczynski.
Pride marches were attacked and, businesses rewarded, for conducting LGBTQ “free” ideology promotions, outside of the legislature. A magazine gave away “LGBT-FREE” stickers with it’s publication copies.
Human Rights Watch advocacy group, however, has concluded that “Poland’s LGBT community has been under regular attack by the ruling party” and “the government actively undermines the rule of law and human rights protection.”
European Parliament is against this:
The European Parliament released a resolution “strongly condemning ‘LGBTI-free zones in Poland’”, in December. This spokesperson however, told that the European Commission is “taking note” of the European Parliament resolution. Furthermore, it will also follow the anti-LGBT scenario in Poland.
European Commissioner for Equality, Helena Dalli, gave a speech at a European Parliament intergroup conference on the EU and LGBTI rights. The spokesperson referred to that speech.
Dalli’s speech:
“The most worrying phenomenon for me is the growing number of violent attacks against LGBTI people. Such as attacks on Pride marches, the distribution of stickers to mark whole neighbourhoods and cities as LGBT free zones, and the adoption of anti-LGBT resolutions,” said Commissioner Dalli in this speech. “These actions are clearly aiming to intimidate and spread fear with the aim to acquire cheap political gains. All at the costs of vulnerable minorities.”
“Let me be very clear. We cannot allow the distribution of LGBTI free zone stickers, or the adoption of anti-LGBTI resolutions. And not feel responsible for the next phase where physical attacks that take place. Even if performed by other people. In this context, let me repeat again that the Commission condemns any form of violence, hatred or discrimination against LGBTI people. It will not hesitate to take any necessary action within the limits awarded to it by the Treaties.”, added Dalli.
Additionally, the Spanish Ministry of Equality condemned the Polish resolutions on Twitter. They wrote on February 26th – “We condemn these resolutions which make the human rights of the LGBTI community vulnerable, spread the discourse of hatred and legitimise. On an institutional level, LGBTI-phobia.”
People took this issue online, and got help:
Pictures of gay people standing in front of Polish municipalities came out. An activist released them. These municipalities are the ones that declared themselves as LGBT free.
Image Courtesy: euronews.com
How this abuse of gay rights in Poland is affecting real people – is what Bart Staszewski wanted to show. Guy Verhofstadt, a liberal MEP, picked up his tweet. As a result, he called Brussels to take action against Polish authorities as soon as possible.
“I want to show the monster that the politicians are fighting with. That we are not an abstract being, an ideology, but real flesh and blood people who must live in these places,” said Staszewski in a statement. “They are ordinary people, with ordinary lives but perceived as a threat by local government. Maybe after this project, they will look differently at these LGBT-people,” he also added.
The activist therefore welcomed The EU’s resolution adopted in December.
