Poland entered 2021having experienced a significant rollback on LGBTI rights in the past years. The country made international headlines as more than 80 municipal or local governments proclaimed themselves “free from LGBT ideology”. The international community is closely watching the developments, with numerous municipalities cutting ties with their twinned counterparts in Poland over equality issues, and the head of the European Commission describing the “LGBT free zones” as “humanity-free zones”.

The pressure on Polish LGBTI communities and activists mounts. Media report a rise of violent attacks, vandalism and police brutality, while the state TV broadcaster has sent an incognito reporter disguised as a volunteer to spy on the leading LGBTI advocacy group. Yet, despite these challenges, the Polish LGBTI rights movement seems stronger than ever. The social acceptance of LGBTI people continues to rise. At least 25 Pride parades were held across the country in 2019 (before the coronavirus crisis) and some of the “anti-LGBT” declarations were successfully challenged in courts. While the struggle continues, the future of the LGBTI rights project in Poland remains unclear.

The aim of the event is to share opinions on the state of play and future outlooks for the LGBTI community in Poland from a range of perspectives, including legal practitioners, activists and international institutions.

Speakers:

Anna Mazurczak – human rights lawyer, formerly head of the anti-discrimination team in the Office of the Ombudsman (Poland)
Bart Staszewski – Polish LGBTI rights activist, director of the documentary “Article 18” and author of the photographic project on “LGBT-free zones”
Miko Czerwinkski - Equal Treatment Coordinator, Amnesty International in Poland
Elia Boggia - Adviser to the Commissioner for Human Rights, Council of Europe

Visit the LGBT History Month 2021 webpage to find out about all of the events happening at BCU this February.

“Humanity-free zones”? Facts and Myths about the Struggle for LGBTI Rights