Thousands march for LGBT equality in Polish capital | Inquirer News

Thousands march for LGBT equality in Polish capital

/ 03:00 PM June 20, 2021

warsaw pride march

People attend the “Equality Parade” rally in support of the LGBT community, in Warsaw, Poland June 19, 2021. REUTERS

WARSAW — Thousands marched through central Warsaw on Saturday in an “Equality Parade” demanding an end to discrimination against the LGBT community, amid what campaigners say has been a rising tide of homophobia in Poland in recent years.

LGBT rights have become a central part of a wider struggle in the country between liberals, who stress the need for a more tolerant and inclusive society, and religious conservatives, who denounce what they say is an attempt to subvert traditional values in the predominantly Catholic nation.

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In a sea of rainbow flags, the symbol of the LGBT community, marchers gathered outside the towering neo-Gothic Palace of Culture in central Warsaw, as a DJ played dance music from a stage before the start of the march.

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“The Equality Parade is a celebration of LGBT people and all those who have to fight for their rights,” said 22-year-old restaurant worker Sylwester Cimochowski.

“Homophobia is a huge problem in Poland … there are lots of people who can’t cope with it, they kill themselves. The situation of LGBT people in Poland is tragic and that’s why I’m here – to support them.”

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Both politicians and clergy have been accused of stoking homophobia in Poland.

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Some conservatives say they have nothing against gay people; they only oppose what they call “LGBT ideology”.

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Meanwhile, in Hungary Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s nationalist government, which is allied with Poland’s governing Law and Justice (PiS) party, has introduced a new law banning the “display and promotion of homosexuality” among under-18s.

“It’s getting more and more difficult … but at the same time there is more and more resistance,” said Marta Borkowska, a 37-year-old business consultant, referring to the situation of LGBT people in central and eastern Europe.

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Asked what she would say to people who are opposed to the march, she replied, “I would say ‘don’t be afraid'”.

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TAGS: LGBTQ, Poland, Pride month, Warsaw

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