InfoSearched
Published -
- July 9, 2020
- 12:05 pm
Polish President Andrzej Duda, who is seeking re-election on Sunday, is accused of running on an anti-LGBT platform and says he plans to ban same-sex couples from adopting.
Before the coronavirus lockdown, Ben Hunte, the BBC’s LGBT correspondent, went to Poland to visit its so-called ‘LGBT-free’ zones, and discovered what life is like for gay people living there.
What impact will the upcoming presidential election in Poland have on LGBT rights in the country?
Poland has been in the media spotlight over the past years due to the ongoing battle for the rights of the LGBT community. The upcoming presidential election, which was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, is now set to take place on June 28. The election results will have a significant impact on the future of LGBT rights in Poland.
The current president, Andrzej Duda, who is running for re-election, has been known for his anti-LGBT comments and policies. He has supported a ban on same-sex marriage, adoption by same-sex couples, and the promotion of LGBT ideology in schools. He has also made derogatory comments about the LGBT community, calling them a “threat” to Polish families.
On the other hand, his main challenger, Rafał Trzaskowski, the mayor of Warsaw, has been supportive of LGBT rights, including introducing civil partnerships for same-sex couples in the city. He has also been vocal in his opposition to the discriminatory policies of the ruling party, Law and Justice.
The fight for LGBT rights in Poland has been a long one. In 2019, the city of Warsaw declared itself an LGBT-friendly city, and many other cities followed suit. However, the ruling party has opposed these declarations and has tried to implement policies that discriminate against the LGBT community.
In March 2019, a new law was passed in Poland that criminalized the promotion of LGBT ideology in schools. Under the law, teachers and educators could face punishment for discussing or promoting LGBT issues. This law sparked outrage among the international community, with many human rights organizations condemning it as a violation of basic human rights.
In addition to these discriminatory policies, there have been numerous acts of violence and hate crimes against the LGBT community in Poland. According to a report by the Polish LGBT organization, Campaign Against Homophobia, there were 349 reported hate crimes against LGBT people in Poland in 2019 alone.
As the presidential election approaches, the future of LGBT rights in Poland hangs in the balance. The outcome of the election will determine whether Poland will continue down the path of discrimination and oppression or move towards equality and acceptance.
The fight for LGBT rights in Poland is not just a battle for the LGBT community, but a battle for human rights and democracy. The international community must stand with the Polish LGBT community and support their fight for equality and acceptance. It is essential that the next president of Poland protects the basic human rights of all citizens, including the LGBT community. The world is watching, and the future of LGBT rights in Poland is at stake.
