In Poland, the LGBTQ+ community has endured eight years of turmoil and uncertainty under the Law and Justice party (PiS). However, with PiS now ousted from power by an opposition alliance led by Donald Tusk, there is a newfound sense of hope on the horizon. This article explores the changing government and public attitudes regarding LGBTQ+ issues in Poland and the path forward.
LGBTQ+ Rights in Poland: A Long Road Ahead
Poland’s LGBTQ+ community currently remains the least legally protected in the EU. PiS consistently made homophobia a central theme in their electoral campaigns, scapegoating queer communities as an internal enemy. President Andrzej Duda’s infamous statement in 2020, declaring “LGBT is not people, it’s an ideology,” further fueled discrimination. Law and Justice-controlled local authorities even declared themselves “LGBT-free zones.” This sparked outrage both within Poland and internationally.
Surprisingly, despite this hostile environment, polls indicate that the Polish public’s attitude towards LGBTQ+ rights has been gradually becoming more progressive. In the 2023 election, the LGBTQ+ issue took a back seat to migration and women’s issues, suggesting its electoral value for the right has diminished. The “LGBT-free zones” faced strong opposition from civil society, Poland’s ombudsman, and the European Commission, resulting in their near disappearance.
A Shifting Landscape
Over the years, public attitudes in Poland have been liberalizing, with increasing acceptance of queer individuals and their lives. The visibility of LGBTQ+ people has grown significantly, even in remote areas, and the number of Pride marches has surged. In 2016, there were only six Pride marches; by 2019, that number had grown to 20. This progress was particularly evident in medium-sized towns, providing unprecedented visibility to the queer community across the country.
Looking Ahead
As Poland enters a new political era, LGBTQ+ activists are calling on the incoming government to prioritize equality and protection against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Their demands include banning homophobic hate speech, amending the penal code to penalize such speech, scrutinizing public grants to prevent funding of homophobic entities, and working towards legalizing civil unions, if not same-sex marriage.
While the recent elections were an endorsement of democracy and equal treatment for all, the implementation of LGBTQ+-friendly policies depends on the incoming government’s ability to navigate compromises between different political groupings. President Duda, with veto power over legislation, remains in office until 2025. Nevertheless, the Polish LGBTQ+ community is closer than ever to achieving some of its historic goals, as the nation’s political landscape undergoes a transformation.