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{{Short description|none}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2014}}

{{For|the history of LGBTQ people in Poland|LGBTQ history in Poland}}
{{Infobox LGBT rights
{{Infobox LGBT rights
| location_header = Poland
| location_header = Poland
| image = EU-Poland.svg
| image = EU-Poland.svg
| caption = {{map_caption | location_color=dark green | country=Poland | region=Europe | region_color=dark grey | subregion=the European Union | subregion_color=light green | legend=EU-Poland.svg}}
| caption = {{map_caption | location_color=dark green | country=Poland | region=Europe | region_color=dark grey | subregion=the European Union | subregion_color=light green | legend=EU-Poland.svg}}
| legal_status = Always legal in Polish legislation (Russian Empire, Kingdom of Prussia and Austria-Hungary Empire laws criminalizing same-sex intercourse were in force to 1932; German laws criminalizing same-sex intercourse were in force from 1939 to 1945 during Nazi occupation)
| legal_status = Legal. Both male and female never criminalised; legality reconfirmed in 1932.
| gender_identity_expression = Transgender persons allowed to change legal gender.
| gender_identity_expression = Transgender people allowed to change legal gender
| recognition_of_relationships = [[Recognition of same-sex unions in Poland|No recognition of same-sex relationships]].
| recognition_of_relationships = [[Recognition of same-sex unions in Poland|Limited cohabitation rights]]
| adoption = Same-sex couples not allowed to adopt
| recognition_of_relationships_restrictions = Same-sex marriage constitutionally banned.
| adoption = Same-sex couples are not allowed.
| military = Lesbians, gays and bisexuals allowed to serve openly
| discrimination_protections = Sexual orientation protections in employment ([[#Discrimination protections|see below]])
| military = Lesbians, gays and bisexuals allowed to serve.
| blood donation = Allowed.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kph.org.pl/pl/edukacja/honorowe-krwiodawstwo |title=Honorowe krwiodawstwo mężczyzn homo- i biseksualnych. Fakty i mity its illegal to be a lgbtq member in poland |publisher=Kph.org.pl |access-date=2013-11-21 |language=pl |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131014142001/http://www.kph.org.pl/pl/edukacja/honorowe-krwiodawstwo |archive-date=14 October 2013 }}</ref>
| discrimination_protections = Sexual orientation protection in labour code since 2003 ([[LGBT rights in Poland#Discrimination protections|see below]]).
}}Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer ([[LGBTQ]]) people in [[Poland]] face legal challenges not experienced by non-LGBTQ residents.<ref name="Tusk">{{cite web |last1=Ashley |first1=Beth |title=Poland: Donald Tusk promises new laws for 'victimised' LGBTQ+ community |url=https://www.thepinknews.com/2023/09/24/poland-donald-tusk-same-sex-civil-partnerships-trans/ |website=[[PinkNews]] |date=24 September 2023 |access-date=24 September 2023}}</ref> According to [[ILGA-Europe]]'s 2024 report, the status of LGBTQ rights in Poland is the worst among the [[European Union]] countries.<ref>{{cite web |title=Country Ranking {{!}} Rainbow Europe |url=https://www.ilga-europe.org/report/rainbow-europe-2023/ |website=rainbow-europe.org |access-date=18 August 2020}}</ref>
| blood donation = Allowed.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kph.org.pl/pl/edukacja/honorowe-krwiodawstwo |title=Honorowe krwiodawstwo mężczyzn homo- i biseksualnych. Fakty i mity |publisher=Kph.org.pl |accessdate=2013-11-21 |language=pl |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131014142001/http://www.kph.org.pl/pl/edukacja/honorowe-krwiodawstwo |archivedate=14 October 2013 |df= }}</ref>
}}
'''Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT)''' people in '''Poland''' both male and female same-sex sexual activity are legal in Poland. Homosexuality was never illegal under Polish law, and Poland was one of the first countries to avoid punishing homosexuality in the early modern era. This was formally codified in 1932, and Poland introduced an equal [[age of consent]] for homosexuals and heterosexuals, which was set at 15.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www2.hu-berlin.de/sexology/IES/poland.html%20%20 |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2010-07-20 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100729165231/http://www2.hu-berlin.de/sexology/IES/poland.html |archivedate=29 July 2010 |df= }} {{cite web|url=http://www2.hu-berlin.de/sexology/IES/poland.html |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2011-07-16 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130511015953/http://www2.hu-berlin.de/sexology/IES/poland.html |archivedate=11 May 2013 |df= }}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2wd30pXJxpYC&pg=PA308&lpg=PA308&dq=1932+decriminalization+Poland&source=bl&ots=JIJAC5Uzhc&sig=1CrcxoPSk36b9SjyUJa2aTMfuXE&hl=en&ei=bUhETOSYAo2jOPiV8NsM&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=7&ved=0CDIQ6AEwBg#v=onepage&q=1932%20decriminalization%20Poland&f=false |title=The Oxford companion to politics of ... - Google Books |publisher=Google |date= |accessdate=20 January 2011}}</ref> Poland is one of few countries where sexually active gay and bisexual men are not legally restricted from donating blood.


Both male and female same-sex sexual activity were decriminalized in 1932, when the country introduced an equal [[age of consent]] for homosexuals and heterosexuals, which was set at 15.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www2.hu-berlin.de/sexology/IES/poland.html%20%20 |title=Poland (Rzeczpospolita Polska) |access-date=2010-07-20 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100729165231/http://www2.hu-berlin.de/sexology/IES/poland.html |archive-date=29 July 2010 }} {{cite web|url=http://www2.hu-berlin.de/sexology/IES/poland.html |title=Poland (Rzeczpospolita Polska) |access-date=2011-07-16 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130511015953/http://www2.hu-berlin.de/sexology/IES/poland.html |archive-date=11 May 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |author1=Nzongola-Ntalaja |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2wd30pXJxpYC&q=1932+decriminalization+Poland&pg=PA308 |title=The Oxford companion to politics of ... - Google Books |last2=Krieger |first2=Joel |last3=Crahan |first3=Margaret E. |last4=Jacobs |first4=Lawrence R. |last5=Joseph |first5=William A. |last6=Paul |first6=James A. |date=2 August 2001 | publisher=Oxford University Press, USA |isbn=9780195117394 |author-link=Georges Nzongola-Ntalaja |access-date=20 January 2011}}</ref> Poland provides LGBTQ people with the same rights as heterosexuals in certain areas: gay and bisexual men are allowed to donate blood, gays and bisexuals are allowed to serve openly in the [[Polish Armed Forces]], and transgender people are allowed to change their legal gender following certain requirements, which include undergoing [[Transgender hormone therapy|hormone replacement therapy]].<ref name="rainbow">{{cite web|url=https://rainbow-europe.org/#8653/0/0|title=Rainbow Europe|website=rainbow-europe.org|date=20 February 2024 }}</ref> Polish law bans employment discrimination based on [[sexual orientation]], although such protections may not be effective in practice.<ref name=Górski/> No protections for health services and [[hate crime]]s exist.<ref>BULLETIN OF THE COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS 2019, no. 6 ''The Principle of Equal Treatment. Law and Practice'', no. 27 "[https://bip.brpo.gov.pl/sites/default/files/Raport_synthesist_LGBT_legal_situation.pdf The legal situation of non-heterosexual and transsexual persons in Poland: International standards for the protection of LGBTQ persons human rights and compliance therewith from standpoint of the Commissioner for Human Rights]"</ref> In 2019, the [[Constitutional Tribunal (Poland)|Constitutional Tribunal]] ruled that the provision of Polish Petty Offence Code, which made it illegal to deny goods and services without "a just cause", was unconstitutional.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2019-06-26|title=Poland rules in favour of printer convicted over refusing LGBT posters|language=en|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/poland-lgbt-constitution-idUSL8N23X4D4|access-date=2020-06-29}}</ref>
Many left-wing political parties ([[Alliance of the Democratic Left]], [[Labour Union (Poland)|Labour Union]], [[Social Democracy of Poland|Social Democracy]], [[Palikot's Movement]] and others) support the gay rights movement and are in favour of appropriate changes in legislation. Individual voices of support can also be heard from the liberal right in the [[Civic Platform]] (''Platforma Obywatelska'').


Polish society tends to hold [[conservative]] views about issues dealing with LGBTQ rights. A majority of the Polish population is affiliated with the [[Catholic Church]], and as such, public perception and acceptance of the LGBTQ community are strongly influenced by Catholic moral doctrines. Article 18 of the [[Constitution of Poland|Polish Constitution]] states that "Marriage, as a union of a man and a woman, shall be placed under the protection and care of the Republic of Poland."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Constitution_of_the_Republic_of_Poland/Chapter_1|title=The Constitution of the Republic of Poland|website=en.wikisource.org}}</ref> According to several jurists, this article bans same-sex marriage.<ref name =Gallo>{{cite book |editor1= Gallo, D |editor2= Paladini, L |editor3= Pustorino, P |title= Same-Sex Couples before National, Supranational and International Jurisdictions |location= Berlin |publisher= Springer |page= 215|date= 2014 |isbn= 9783642354342 |quote= the drafters of the 1997 Polish Constitution included a legal definition of a marriage as the union of a woman and a man in the text of the constitution in order to ensure that the introduction of same-sex marriage would not be passed without a constitutional amendment.}}</ref><ref name=Safjan>{{cite book |editor1= Marek Safjan |editor2= Leszek Bosek |date= 2016 |title= Konstytucja RP. Tom I. Komentarz do art. 1-86 |location= Warszawa |publisher= C.H. Beck Wydawnictwo Polska|isbn=9788325573652 |quote= Z przeprowadzonej powyżej analizy prac nad Konstytucją RP wynika jednoznacznie, że zamieszczenie w art. 18 Konstytucji RP zwrotu definicyjnego "związek kobiety i mężczyzny" stanowiło reakcję na fakt pojawienia się w państwach obcych regulacji poddającej związki osób tej samej płci regulacji zbliżonej lub zbieżnej z instytucją małżeństwa. Uzupełniony tym zwrotem przepis konstytucyjny "miał pełnić rolę instrumentu zapobiegającego wprowadzeniu takiej regulacji do prawa polskiego" (A. Mączyński, Konstytucyjne podstawy prawa rodzinnego, s. 772). Innego motywu jego wprowadzenia do Konstytucji RP nie da się wskazać (szeroko w tym zakresie B. Banaszkiewicz, "Małżeństwo jako związek kobiety i mężczyzny", s. 640 i n.; zob. też Z. Strus, Znaczenie artykułu 18 Konstytucji, s. 236 i n.). Jak zauważa A. Mączyński istotą tej regulacji było normatywne przesądzenie nie tylko o niemożliwości unormowania w prawie polskim "małżeństw pomiędzy osobami tej samej płci", lecz również innych związków, które mimo tego, że nie zostałyby określone jako małżeństwo miałyby spełniać funkcje do niego podobną (A. Mączyński, Konstytucyjne podstawy prawa rodzinnego, s. 772; tenże, Konstytucyjne i międzynarodowe uwarunkowania, s. 91; podobnie L. Garlicki, Artykuł 18, w: Garlicki, Konstytucja, t. 3, uw. 4, s. 2, który zauważa, że w tym zakresie art. 18 nabiera "charakteru normy prawnej").}}</ref><ref name=Scherpe>{{cite book |editor= Scherpe JM |title= European Family Law Volume III: Family Law in a European Perspective Family|location= Cheltenham, UK |publisher= Edward Elgar Publishing |page= 121 |date= 2016| isbn=9781785363047| quote=Constitutional bans on same-sex marriage are now applicable in ten European countries: Article 32, Belarus Constitution; Article 46 Bulgarian Constitution; Article L Hungarian Constitution, Article 110, Latvian Constitution; Article 38.3 Lithuanian Constitution; Article 48 Moldovan Constitution; Article 71 Montenegrin Constitution; Article 18 Polish Constitution; Article 62 Serbian Constitution; and Article 51 Ukrainian Constitution.}}</ref><ref name=Stewart>{{cite journal |author= Stewart J, Lloyd KC |date= 2016 |title= Marriage Equality in Europe |url= https://heinonline.org/HOL/LandingPage?handle=hein.journals/famadv38&div=54&id=&page= |journal= Family Advocate |volume= 38 |issue= 4 |pages= 37–40 |quote= Article 18 of the Polish Constitution limits the institution of marriage to opposite-sex couples.}}</ref> The Supreme Court, the [[Constitutional Tribunal (Poland)|Constitutional Tribunal]] and the [[Supreme Administrative Court of Poland|Supreme Administrative Court]] have ruled that Article 18 of the Constitution limits the institution of marriage to opposite-sex couples, and that the legalization of same-sex marriage would require a constitutional amendment.<ref name=SN2004>{{citation|title=Judgment of the Supreme Court of 7 July 2004, II KK 176/04|quote=W dotychczasowym orzecznictwie Sądu Najwyższego, wypracowanym i ugruntowanym zarówno w okresie obowiązywania poprzedniego, jak i obecnego Kodeksu postępowania karnego, a także w doktrynie (por. wypowiedzi W. Woltera, A. Zolla, A. Wąska), pojęcie "wspólne pożycie" odnoszone jest wyłącznie do konkubinatu, a w szczególności do związku osób o różnej płci, odpowiadającego od strony faktycznej stosunkowi małżeństwa (którym w myśl art. 18 Konstytucji jest wyłącznie związek osób różnej płci). Tego rodzaju interpretację Sąd Najwyższy, orzekający w niniejszej sprawie, w pełni podziela i nie znajduje podstaw do uznania za przekonywujące tych wypowiedzi pojawiających się w piśmiennictwie, w których podejmowane są próby kwestionowania takiej interpretacji omawianego pojęcia i sprowadzania go wyłącznie do konkubinatu (M. Płachta, K. Łojewski, A.M. Liberkowski). Rozumiejąc bowiem dążenia do rozszerzającej interpretacji pojęcia "wspólne pożycie", użytego w art. 115 § 11 k.k., należy jednak wskazać na całkowity brak w tym względzie dostatecznie precyzyjnych kryteriów.}}</ref><ref name=TK2005>{{cite web|url=https://ipo.trybunal.gov.pl/ipo/view/sprawa.xhtml?sprawa=3826|title=Judgment of the Constitutional Tribunal of 11 May 2005, K 18/04|quote=Polska Konstytucja określa bowiem małżeństwo jako związek wyłącznie kobiety i mężczyzny. ''A contrario'' nie dopuszcza więc związków jednopłciowych. [...] Małżeństwo (jako związek kobiety i mężczyzny) uzyskało w prawie krajowym RP odrębny status konstytucyjny zdeterminowany postanowieniami art. 18 Konstytucji. Zmiana tego statusu byłaby możliwa jedynie przy zachowaniu rygorów trybu zmiany Konstytucji, określonych w art. 235 tego aktu.}}</ref><ref name=TK2010>{{cite web|url=https://ipo.trybunal.gov.pl/ipo/view/sprawa.xhtml?&pokaz=dokumenty&sygnatura=SK%2010/08|title=Judgment of the Constitutional Tribunal of 9 November 2010, SK 10/08|quote=W doktrynie prawa konstytucyjnego wskazuje się nadto, że jedyny element normatywny, dający się odkodować z art. 18 Konstytucji, to ustalenie zasady heteroseksualności małżeństwa.}}</ref><ref name=NSA2016>{{cite web|url=http://www.orzeczenia-nsa.pl/wyrok/ii-gsk-866-15/sprawy_ubezpieczen_zdrowotnych_ochrona_zdrowia/33055d0/6.html?q=&_symbol=652&_haslo=Ochrona+zdrowia&_sad=Naczelny+S%C4%85d+Administracyjny&_skarzony=Prezes+Narodowego+Funduszu+Zdrowia&_okres=2016_10|title=Judgment of the Supreme Administrative Court of Poland of 25 October 2016, II GSK 866/15|quote=Ustawa o świadczeniach zdrowotnych finansowanych ze środków publicznych nie wyjaśnia, co prawda, kto jest małżonkiem. Pojęcie to zostało jednak dostatecznie i jasno określone we wspomnianym art. 18 Konstytucji RP, w którym jest mowa o małżeństwie jako o związku kobiety i mężczyzny. W piśmiennictwie podkreśla się, że art. 18 Konstytucji ustala zasadę heteroseksualności małżeństwa, będącą nie tyle zasadą ustroju, co normą prawną, która zakazuje ustawodawcy zwykłemu nadawania charakteru małżeństwa związkom pomiędzy osobami jednej płci (vide: L. Garlicki Komentarz do art. 18 Konstytucji, s. 2-3 [w:] Konstytucja Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej. Komentarz, Wydawnictwo Sejmowe, Warszawa 2003). Jest wobec tego oczywiste, że małżeństwem w świetle Konstytucji i co za tym idzie - w świetle polskiego prawa, może być i jest wyłącznie związek heteroseksualny, a więc w związku małżeńskim małżonkami nie mogą być osoby tej samej płci.}}</ref><ref name=NSA2018>{{cite web|url=http://orzeczenia.nsa.gov.pl/doc/8AE25DE4B1|title=Judgment of the Supreme Administrative Court of Poland of 28 February 2018, II OSK 1112/16|quote=art. 18 Konstytucji RP, który definiuje małżeństwo jako związek kobiety i mężczyzny, a tym samym wynika z niego zasada nakazująca jako małżeństwo traktować w Polsce jedynie związek heteroseksualny.}}</ref> Poland does not recognise [[civil unions]] either, though discussion on this issue is ongoing. While ahead of the [[2015 Polish parliamentary election]], the ruling [[Law and Justice (Poland)|Law and Justice]] (PiS) party had taken an anti-migrant stance, and in the run-up to the [[2019 Polish parliamentary election]], PiS focused on countering alleged Western "LGBT ideology".<ref name="Wapo20190719"/> Encouraged by national PiS politicians,<ref name="Wapo20190719"/> {{as of|2020|April|alt=by April 2020}}, 100 municipalities (including five [[voivodship]]s), encompassing about a third of the country, informally declared themselves "[[LGBT-free zones]]".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ciobanu |first=Claudia |url=https://balkaninsight.com/2020/02/25/a-third-of-poland-declared-lgbt-free-zone/ |title=A Third of Poland Declared 'LGBT-Free Zone' |date=2020-02-25 |work=Balkan Insight |access-date=2020-04-06 |language=en-US}}</ref> However, on the 6th February 2024 [[Voivodeship Administrative Court|Warsaw Voivodship Administrative Court]] repealed the last "[[LGBT-free zone]]" in Poland.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://oko.press/sad-uchylil-ostatnia-uchwale-przeciwko-ideologii-lgbt | title=Sąd uchylił ostatnią uchwałę przeciwko "ideologii LGBT" }}</ref>
== History ==
There was never any anti-homosexual law under a free [[Politics of Poland|Polish government]] (excluding homosexual prostitution 1932–1969).


Acceptance for LGBTQ people in Polish society increased in the 1990s and the early 2000s, mainly amongst younger people and those living in larger cities such as [[Warsaw]] and [[Kraków]]. There is a visible gay scene with clubs all around the country, most of them located in large urban areas. There are also several gay rights organizations, the two biggest ones being the [[Campaign Against Homophobia]] and [[Lambda Warszawa]]. Opinion polls on the public perception of LGBTQ rights in Poland have been contradictory, with many showing large support for registered partnerships,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://oko.press/polki-i-polacy-gotowi-na-zwiazki-partnerskie-i-rownosc-malzenska-sondaze-i-eurobarometr/|title=Polki i Polacy gotowi na związki partnerskie i równość małżeńską [SONDAŻE I EUROBAROMETR]|quote=aż 60 proc. pytanych uważa, że para gejów lub lesbijek powinna mieć prawo do związku partnerskiego [up to 60 percent respondents believe that a gay or lesbian couple should have the right to a partnership]}}</ref> and some indicating a majority of opponents.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://fakty.interia.pl/raporty/raport-wybory-parlamentarne-2019/sondaze/news-sondaz-cbos-aborcja-zwiazki-partnerskie-i-euro,nId,3269059#|title=Sondaż CBOS: Aborcja, związki partnerskie i euro|quote=55 proc. Polaków jest przeciwna prawnemu umożliwieniu zawierania związków partnerskich przez osoby tej samej płci. [55% Poles are against the legal possibility of same-sex partnerships.]}}</ref> The general trend however is an increase in the support for registered partnerships and same-sex marriage. Many left-wing and liberal political parties, namely the [[New Left (Poland)|New Left]], [[Labour United|Labour Union]], the [[Social Democracy of Poland|Social Democratic Party]], [[Modern (political party)|Modern]], [[Razem|Together]] and [[Spring (political party)|Spring]], have expressed support for the gay rights movement. Legalization of same-sex partnerships is also a part of political programme of Civic Coalition and the Third Way for the 2023 parliamentary elections.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://wyborcza.pl/7,75398,30807802,oko-press-ustawa-o-zwiazkach-partnerskich-projektem-rzadowym.html | title=Wyborcza.pl }}</ref> In November 2023, a same-sex married couple issued Polish courts to rectify the legality of same-sex marriages.<ref name="NotesPoland"/>
During the [[Partitions of Poland]] (1795–1918) laws prohibiting homosexuality were imposed by the occupying powers. [[Homosexuality]] was recognized by law in 1932 with the introduction of a new penal code. The [[age of consent]] was set to 15, equal to that of [[heterosexual]] partners.<ref name="Tatchell 1992, p. 151">Tatchell (1992), p. 151</ref> Homosexual prostitution was legalized in 1969.


==Legality of same-sex sexual activity==
Homosexuality was deleted from the list of diseases in 1991.
During the [[Partitions of Poland]] (1795–1918) and the [[History of Poland (1939–1945)|German occupation of Poland]] (1939–1945), laws prohibiting homosexuality were imposed on the territory that makes up the current Polish state.{{citation needed|date=September 2021}}


Following [[World War I]], same-sex activity continued to be formally criminalized in now-independent Poland, because the penal codes of the [[Russian Empire]], the [[Kingdom of Prussia]] and the [[Austria-Hungary|Austria-Hungarian Empire]] remained in power.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book|url=|title=Transnational Homosexuals in Communist Poland Cross-Border Flows in Gay and Lesbian Magazines|last1=Szulc|first1=Lukasz|last2=Springer International Publishing AG|date=2018|isbn=978-3-319-58901-5|pages=8, 97|publisher=Springer }}</ref> They mostly criminalized male same-sex acts, though the Austrian code included broader provisions against so-called "same-sex fornication" and was also used against women.<ref>{{Cite book|title=The Dictionary of Homophobia: A Global History of Gay & Lesbian Experience|last1=Tin|first1=Louis-Georges|last2=Redburn|first2=Marek|last3=Michaud|first3=Alice|last4=Mathers|first4=Kyle|date=2008|publisher=Arsenal Pulp Press|location=Vancouver|chapter=Poland}}</ref><ref name=":1" />
Acceptance for LGBT people in Polish society increased in the 1990s and early 2000s, mainly amongst younger people and those living in larger cities such as [[Warsaw]] and [[Kraków]].{{citation needed|date=July 2014}} There exists a "gay scene" with clubs all around the country, most of them are located in the large urban areas.{{citation needed|date=July 2014}} There are also a number of gay rights organizations, the two biggest ones being [[Campaign Against Homophobia]] and [[Lambda Warszawa]].{{citation needed|date=July 2014}}


The new Polish Penal Code of 1932 ({{lang|pl|Kodeks karny}}) decriminalized consensual same-sex acts.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=Karczewski/><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Hildebrandt |first1=Achim |title=Routes to decriminalization: A comparative analysis of the legalization of same-sex sexual acts |journal=Sexualities |date=2014 |volume=17 |issue=1–2 |pages=230–253 |doi=10.1177/1363460713511105|s2cid=145575130 }}</ref> The decision had already been taken in the early 1920s and represented the success of long-lasting transnational advocacy.<ref name=Karczewski>{{Cite journal |last=Karczewski |first=Kamil |date=2022-10-21 |title=Transnational Flows of Knowledge and the Legalisation of Homosexuality in Interwar Poland |journal=Contemporary European History |volume=33 |issue=3 |language=en |pages=849–866 |doi=10.1017/S0960777322000108 |s2cid=253067919 |issn=0960-7773|doi-access=free |hdl=1814/75398 |hdl-access=free }}</ref> Homosexual prostitution remained illegal. According to lawyer [[Monika Płatek]], these provisions were applied very broadly to homosexual couples to prevent them living together; any type of gift or paying for a partner's food, clothing, or lodging could be interpreted as prostitution.<ref name=Pajak>{{cite journal |last1=Pająk |first1=Paulina |title=1933: the year of lesbian modernism in Poland? |journal=Women's History Review |date=2022 |volume=31 |issue=1 |pages=28–50 |doi=10.1080/09612025.2021.1954333|s2cid=237836125 }}</ref>
In October 2011, Poland elected its first openly gay member of parliament [[Robert Biedroń]], as well as its first transgender MP, [[Anna Grodzka]]. In 2014, Biedroń was elected the mayor of [[Słupsk]]; [[Mayor|town mayors]] in Poland are elected directly.<ref name="Huffington Post Lech Walesa" />


In 1948 during the [[Polish People's Republic]], [[age of consent]] was set to 15, equal to that of [[heterosexual]] partners.<ref name=":2">Kultura i społeczeństwo PRL. Materiały ze Studenckiej Sesji Naukowej, Wrocław, 26 kwietnia 2001 r.</ref><ref name="Tatchell 1992, p. 151">Tatchell (1992), p. 151</ref> Homosexual prostitution was legalized in 1969. Homosexuality was removed from the list of diseases in 1991.
=== Recent developments ===

{| class="wikitable" align="right"
==Recognition of same-sex relationships==
|+ 2013 Sejm vote on civil partnerships
{{Main|Recognition of same-sex unions in Poland}}

There is no legal recognition of [[same-sex couples]] in Poland, though cohabiting same-sex couples do enjoy certain limited benefits, namely in the tenancy of a shared household, the right not to testify against the partner and residency rights under EU law. [[Same-sex marriage]] is not recognized, and Article 18 of the [[Constitution of Poland]] states that "Marriage, being a union of a man and a woman, as well as the family, motherhood and parenthood, shall be placed under the protection and care of the Republic of Poland."<ref name="Constitution">{{cite web | url=http://www.sejm.gov.pl/prawo/konst/angielski/kon1.htm | title=The Constitution of the Republic of Poland | publisher=Sejm | date=2 April 1997 | access-date=10 July 2014}}</ref> This has led to much debate over whether or not it is a definitive ban on same-sex marriage. A ruling in 2019 from an administrative court concluded that the language in Article 18 does not explicitly ban same-sex marriage.<ref name="rodzina">{{Cite web|url=https://www.rp.pl/Rodzina/302119943-Konstytucja-nie-zabrania-malzenstw-jednoplciowych---wyrok-WSA-w-Warszawie.html|title=The Constitution does not prohibit same-sex marriages - verdict by the WSA in Warsaw|language=pl|access-date=2019-02-12}}</ref> The justification of the ruling regarding the meaning of Article 18 is not binding. The sentence is binding only on the parties in the proceedings. Earlier judgments of the [[Supreme Court of Poland|Supreme Court]], the [[Constitutional Tribunal (Poland)|Constitutional Tribunal]] and the [[Supreme Administrative Court of Poland|Supreme Administrative Court]] have found the Constitution bans same-sex marriage by defining marriage as a heterosexual-only institution.{{r|SN2004}}{{r|TK2005}}{{r|TK2010}}{{r|NSA2016}}{{r|NSA2018}}

Historian Kamil Karczewski has documented a homosexual relationship that could be considered the first known case of a same-sex marriage in Poland's history. This union involved Marian Kuleszyński and Stefan Góralski, residents of the [[Suwałki Region|Suwałki region]] in the early 1920s. Although kept secret and devoid of legal recognition, their commitment was founded on loyalty, the presumption of permanence, and a 'friendship for life oath' that included vows never to separate, to defend and support each other, and to maintain the confidentiality of their relationship. This discovery marks a significant milestone in Poland's LGBTQ+ history, offering insights into the complexities of same-sex relationships in earlier times.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Karczewski |first=Kamil |date=2022 |title="Call Me by My Name:" A "Strange and Incomprehensible" Passion in the Polish Kresy of the 1920s |journal=Slavic Review |language=en |volume=81 |issue=3 |pages=631–652 |doi=10.1017/slr.2022.224 |s2cid=256616664 |issn=0037-6779|doi-access=free |hdl=1814/75389 |hdl-access=free }}</ref>

A [[civil union]] bill was first proposed in 2003. In 2004, under a left-wing Government, the [[Senate of Poland|Senate]] approved the bill allowing gay and lesbian couples to register their relationship. Parties to a civil union under the bill would have been given a great range of benefits, protections and responsibilities (e.g. pension funds, joint tax and death-related benefits), currently granted only to spouses in a marriage, although they would not have been allowed to adopt children. The bill lapsed in the 2005 general election, however.

The major opposition to introducing same-sex marriages or civil unions comes from the Roman Catholic Church, which is influential politically, holding a considerable degree of influence in the state.<ref name="Huffington Post Lech Walesa" /> The Church also enjoys immense social prestige.<ref name="Brittanica religion Poland">{{cite encyclopedia | url=http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/466681/Poland/28238/Languages | title=Poland :: Religion | encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Britannica | access-date=18 July 2014}}</ref> The Church holds that homosexuality is a deviation.<ref name="Huffington Post Lech Walesa" /> In 2012, the nation was 95% Roman Catholic, with 54% practicing every week.<ref name="Religion CBOS">{{cite web | url=http://cbos.pl/SPISKOM.POL/2012/K_049_12.PDF | title=ZMIANY W ZAKRESIE WIARY I RELIGIJNOŚCI POLAKÓW PO ŚMIERCI JANA PAWŁA II | publisher=CBOS | date=April 2012 | access-date=9 July 2014 | author=Boguszewski, Rafał | pages=5 | language=pl}}</ref>

In January 2013, the [[Sejm]] voted to reject five proposed bills that would have introduced civil partnerships for both opposite-sex and same-sex couples.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.tvn24.pl/wiadomosci-z-kraju,3/premier-prosi-o-poparcie-psl-i-czesc-po-glosuja-przeciw-sejm-odrzuca-zwiazki-partnerskie,302339.html |title=Premier prosi o poparcie, PSL i część PO głosują przeciw. Sejm odrzuca związki partnerskie |date=25 January 2013 |access-date=28 May 2015 |publisher=tvn24.pl |language=pl}}</ref> The High Court later issued an opinion stating that the bills proposed by the [[Democratic Left Alliance (Poland)|Democratic Left Alliance]], [[Your Movement]] and [[Civic Platform]] were all unconstitutional, as Article 18 of the Constitution protects marriage.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.tvn24.pl/wiadomosci-z-kraju,3/sn-projekty-ustaw-o-zwiazkach-niezgodne-z-konstytucja-zobacz-co-sedziowie-odpowiedzieli-poslom-juz-w-ub-roku,303102.html |title=SN: Projekty ustaw o związkach niezgodne z Konstytucją. Zobacz co sędziowie odpowiedzieli posłom już w ub. roku |date=30 January 2013 |access-date=28 May 2015 |publisher=tvn24.pl |language=pl}}</ref> In December 2014, the Sejm refused to deal with a civil partnership bill proposed by [[Your Movement]], with 235 MPs voting against debating the bill, and 185 MPs voting for.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.tvn24.pl/wiadomosci-z-kraju,3/sejm-nie-zajal-sie-ustawa-ws-zwiazkow-partnerskich-wiekszosc-poslow-przeciw,499563.html |title=Związki partnerskie do szuflady. Sejm nie zajął się projektem |publisher=tvn24.pl |language=pl}}</ref> In May 2015, the Sejm again refused to deal with the topic, with 215 MPs voting against and only 146 for. Prime Minister [[Ewa Kopacz]] said that civil partnerships were an issue for the next Parliament to deal with.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.polityka.pl/tygodnikpolityka/kraj/1620801,1,zwiazki-partnerskie--nie-w-tej-kadencji.read |title=Związki partnerskie - nie w tej kadencji |date=26 May 2015 |access-date=28 May 2015 |publisher=polityka.pl |language=pl}}</ref> A new partnership bill was proposed on 12 February 2018 by the [[Modern (political party)|Modern]] party.<ref name="modern">{{Cite web|url=https://poznan.onet.pl/nowoczesna-z-projektem-ustawy-o-zwiazkach-partnerskich/memp113|title=Nowoczesna z projektem ustawy o związkach partnerskich|website=www.poznan.onet.pl|language=pl|access-date=2018-02-16|date=16 February 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nowoczesna.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Projekt-ustawy-przepisy-wprowadzaj%C4%85ce-ustaw%C4%99-o-zwi%C4%85zkach-partnerskich.docx|title=Projekt ustawy – przepisy wprowadzające ustawę o związkach partnerskich|website=www.nowoczesna.org|language=pl|access-date=2018-02-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180619113424/https://nowoczesna.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Projekt-ustawy-przepisy-wprowadzaj%C4%85ce-ustaw%C4%99-o-zwi%C4%85zkach-partnerskich.docx|archive-date=19 June 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nowoczesna.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Projekt-ustawy-o-zwi%C4%85zkach-partnerskich.docx|title=Projekt ustawy o związkach partnerskich|website=www.nowoczesna.org|language=pl|access-date=2018-02-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180217024104/https://nowoczesna.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Projekt-ustawy-o-zwi%C4%85zkach-partnerskich.docx|archive-date=17 February 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In June 2018, the [[European Court of Justice]] [[Coman and Others v General Inspectorate for Immigration and Ministry of the Interior|ruled]] that [[European Union|EU]] members states must grant married same-sex couples, where at least one partner is an EU citizen, full residency rights and recognise their [[Freedom of movement for workers in the European Union|freedom of movement]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-44366898 |title=Same-sex spouses have EU residence rights, top court rules |work=BBC News |date=5 June 2018}}</ref>

Poland did not implement this ruling, and in July 2020, the [[European Court of Human Rights]] notified the Polish government of cases filed by Polish same-sex couples, inviting the Polish government to present its position on the issue (Andersen v. Poland).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://hudoc.echr.coe.int/eng?i=001-218104 |website=ECHR |access-date=21 July 2022 |language=English|title=HUDOC - European Court of Human Rights }}</ref>

During [[2023 Polish parliamentary election|Polish re-elections]] in September 2023, [[Donald Tusk]] proposed recognition for same-sex civil partnerships.<ref name="Tusk" /> Opposition parties won most seats in the parliament and senate, giving hope to the LGBT community that the bill might be approved. But some analysts say that even if the bill is passed, it may still get vetoed by conservative president [[Andrzej Duda]], who previously described the [[LGBT social movements|LGBT movement]] as "a foreign ideology" and comparing it to [[Propaganda in the Soviet Union|indoctrination in the Soviet Union]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-10-17 |title=Polish election winner Donald Tusk appeals to president to move quickly to form a new government |url=https://apnews.com/article/poland-election-tusk-results-f687cf22fee9d395e92a08d2b6ab0f03 |access-date=2023-10-19 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Kelleher |first=Patrick |date=2023-10-16 |title=Poland's LGBTQ community celebrates right-wing election disappointment |url=https://www.thepinknews.com/2023/10/16/poland-lgbtq-election-result-human-rights/ |access-date=2023-10-19 |website=PinkNews |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-10-18 |title=Poland's opposition parties open talks on a ruling coalition after winning the general election |url=https://apnews.com/article/poland-election-coalition-talks-government-bf2752890faa8a494b00b7696092d21d |access-date=2023-10-19 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref> In November 2023, a Polish same-sex married couple (wed by [[Same-sex marriage in Germany|Germany's marriage law]]) asked Poland's top court to overturn the nation's ban on same-sex marriage.<ref name="NotesPoland">{{cite web |title=Polish top court to ask for EU ruling on recognising same-sex marriages |url=https://notesfrompoland.com/2023/11/15/polish-top-court-to-ask-for-eu-ruling-on-recognising-same-sex-marriages/ |website=Notes from Poland |date=15 November 2023 |access-date=15 November 2023}}</ref>

===Parliament vote on civil unions===
{| class="wikitable" align="left"
|+ Sejm vote on civil partnerships
! Date
! Date
! Vote no.
! On
! On
! For
! For
Line 40: Line 61:
|-
|-
! 25 January 2013
! 25 January 2013
| Registered partnership<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sejm.gov.pl/sejm7.nsf/agent.xsp?symbol=glosowania&NrKadencji=7&NrPosiedzenia=32&NrGlosowania=45 |title=Głosowanie nr 45 - posiedzenie 32. |publisher=Sejm |date=25 January 2015 |access-date=23 June 2015 |language=pl }}</ref>
| 45
| Registered partnership<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sejm.gov.pl/sejm7.nsf/agent.xsp?symbol=glosowania&NrKadencji=7&NrPosiedzenia=32&NrGlosowania=45 |title=Głosowanie nr 45 - posiedzenie 32. |publisher=Sejm |date=25 January 2015 |accessdate=23 June 2015 |language=pl }}</ref>
| 150
| 150
| '''<span style="color:red;">276'''
| '''<span style="color:red;">276</span>'''
| 23
| 23
| <center>[[File:X mark.svg|15px|No]]
| style="text-align: center;" | [[File:X mark.svg|15px|No]]
|-
|-
! 25 January 2013
! 25 January 2013
| Registered partnership<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sejm.gov.pl/sejm7.nsf/agent.xsp?symbol=glosowania&NrKadencji=7&NrPosiedzenia=32&NrGlosowania=46 |title=Głosowanie nr 46 - posiedzenie 32. |publisher=Sejm |date=25 January 2015 |access-date=23 June 2015 |language=pl }}</ref>
| 46
| Registered partnership<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sejm.gov.pl/sejm7.nsf/agent.xsp?symbol=glosowania&NrKadencji=7&NrPosiedzenia=32&NrGlosowania=46 |title=Głosowanie nr 46 - posiedzenie 32. |publisher=Sejm |date=25 January 2015 |accessdate=23 June 2015 |language=pl }}</ref>
| 138
| 138
| '''<span style="color:red;">284'''
| '''<span style="color:red;">284</span>'''
| 28
| 28
| <center>[[File:X mark.svg|15px|No]]
| style="text-align: center;" | [[File:X mark.svg|15px|No]]
|-
|-
! 25 January 2013
! 25 January 2013
| Registered partnership<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sejm.gov.pl/sejm7.nsf/agent.xsp?symbol=glosowania&NrKadencji=7&NrPosiedzenia=32&NrGlosowania=47 |title=Głosowanie nr 47 - posiedzenie 32. |publisher=Sejm |date=25 January 2015 |access-date=23 June 2015 |language=pl }}</ref>
| 47
| Registered partnership<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sejm.gov.pl/sejm7.nsf/agent.xsp?symbol=glosowania&NrKadencji=7&NrPosiedzenia=32&NrGlosowania=47 |title=Głosowanie nr 47 - posiedzenie 32. |publisher=Sejm |date=25 January 2015 |accessdate=23 June 2015 |language=pl }}</ref>
| 137
| 137
| '''<span style="color:red;">283'''
| '''<span style="color:red;">283</span>'''
| 30
| 30
| <center>[[File:X mark.svg|15px|No]]
| style="text-align: center;" | [[File:X mark.svg|15px|No]]
|-
|-
! 25 January 2013
! 25 January 2013
| Registered partnership<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sejm.gov.pl/sejm7.nsf/agent.xsp?symbol=glosowania&NrKadencji=7&NrPosiedzenia=32&NrGlosowania=48 |title=Głosowanie nr 48 - posiedzenie 32. |publisher=Sejm |date=25 January 2015 |access-date=23 June 2015 |language=pl }}</ref>
| 48
| Registered partnership<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sejm.gov.pl/sejm7.nsf/agent.xsp?symbol=glosowania&NrKadencji=7&NrPosiedzenia=32&NrGlosowania=48 |title=Głosowanie nr 48 - posiedzenie 32. |publisher=Sejm |date=25 January 2015 |accessdate=23 June 2015 |language=pl }}</ref>
| 137
| 137
| '''<span style="color:red;">283'''
| '''<span style="color:red;">283</span>'''
| 30
| 30
| <center>[[File:X mark.svg|15px|No]]
| style="text-align: center;" | [[File:X mark.svg|15px|No]]
|-
|-
! 25 January 2013
! 25 January 2013
| Partnership agreement<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sejm.gov.pl/sejm7.nsf/agent.xsp?symbol=glosowania&NrKadencji=7&NrPosiedzenia=32&NrGlosowania=49 |title=Głosowanie nr 49 - posiedzenie 32. |publisher=Sejm |date=25 January 2015 |access-date=23 June 2015 |language=pl }}</ref>
| 49
| Partnership agreement<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sejm.gov.pl/sejm7.nsf/agent.xsp?symbol=glosowania&NrKadencji=7&NrPosiedzenia=32&NrGlosowania=49 |title=Głosowanie nr 49 - posiedzenie 32. |publisher=Sejm |date=25 January 2015 |accessdate=23 June 2015 |language=pl }}</ref>
| 211
| 211
| '''<span style="color:red;">228'''
| '''<span style="color:red;">228</span>'''
| 10
| 10
| <center>[[File:X mark.svg|15px|No]]
| style="text-align: center;" | [[File:X mark.svg|15px|No]]
|-
! 18 December 2014
| Registered partnership
| 185
| '''<span style="color:red;">235</span>'''
| 18
| style="text-align: center;" | [[File:X mark.svg|15px|No]]
|-
! 26 May 2015
| Registered partnership
| 146
| '''<span style="color:red;">215</span>'''
| 24
| style="text-align: center;" | [[File:X mark.svg|15px|No]]
|}
|}
{{clear}}
In January 2013, the [[Sejm]] voted to reject five proposed bills that would introduce civil partnerships for both opposite-sex and same-sex couples.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.tvn24.pl/wiadomosci-z-kraju,3/premier-prosi-o-poparcie-psl-i-czesc-po-glosuja-przeciw-sejm-odrzuca-zwiazki-partnerskie,302339.html |title=Premier prosi o poparcie, PSL i część PO głosują przeciw. Sejm odrzuca związki partnerskie |date=25 January 2013 |accessdate=28 May 2015 |publisher=tvn24.pl |language=pl}}</ref> The High Court later issued an opinion stating that the bills proposed by the [[Alliance of the Democratic Left]], [[Palikot's Movement]] and [[Civic Platform]] were all unconstitutional, as Article 18 of the Constitution protects marriage.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.tvn24.pl/wiadomosci-z-kraju,3/sn-projekty-ustaw-o-zwiazkach-niezgodne-z-konstytucja-zobacz-co-sedziowie-odpowiedzieli-poslom-juz-w-ub-roku,303102.html |title=SN: Projekty ustaw o związkach niezgodne z Konstytucją. Zobacz co sędziowie odpowiedzieli posłom już w ub. roku |date=30 January 2013 |accessdate=28 May 2015 |publisher=tvn24.pl |language=pl}}</ref>


===Limited cohabitation rights===
In December 2014, the Sejm refused to deal with a civil partnership bill proposed by [[Your Movement]], with 235 MPs voting against debating the bill, and 185 MPs voting for.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.tvn24.pl/wiadomosci-z-kraju,3/sejm-nie-zajal-sie-ustawa-ws-zwiazkow-partnerskich-wiekszosc-poslow-przeciw,499563.html |title=Związki partnerskie do szuflady. Sejm nie zajął się projektem |publisher=tvn24.pl |language=pl}}</ref>
On 23 February 2007, the Appeals Court in [[Białystok]] recognized a same-sex cohabitation.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://bialystok.sa.sisco.info/?id=1352 |title=Sisco It |publisher=Bialystok.sa.sisco.info |access-date=20 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721232920/http://bialystok.sa.sisco.info/?id=1352 |archive-date=21 July 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> On 6 December 2007, this ruling was confirmed by the Supreme Court of [[Warsaw]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rp.pl/artykul/4,74934.html |title=Związek homoseksualny to nawet nie konkubinat |language=pl |publisher=rp.pl |access-date=20 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110608065253/http://www.rp.pl/artykul/4,74934.html |archive-date=8 June 2011 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref>


While Poland possesses no specific law on cohabitation, it does have a few provisions in different legal acts or Supreme Court rulings that recognise relations between unmarried partners and provides said partners specific rights and obligations. For example, Article 115(11) of the Penal Code ({{langx|pl|Kodeks karny}}) uses the term "the closest person", which covers romantic relations that are not legally formalised. The status of "the closest person" gives the right of refusal to testify against the partner. The term "partner" includes same-sex couples.
In May 2015, the Sejm again refused to deal with the topic, with 215 MPs voting against and only 146 for. The Prime Minister, [[Ewa Kopacz]], said that civil partnerships are an issue for the next parliament to deal with.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.polityka.pl/tygodnikpolityka/kraj/1620801,1,zwiazki-partnerskie--nie-w-tej-kadencji.read |title=Związki partnerskie - nie w tej kadencji |date=26 May 2015 |accessdate=28 May 2015 |publisher=polityka.pl |language=pl}}</ref>


A resolution of the Supreme Court from 28 November 2012 (''III CZP 65/12'') on the interpretation of the term "a person who has lived actually in cohabitation with the tenant" was issued with regard to the case of a gay man who was the partner of a deceased person, the main tenant of the apartment. The Court interpreted the law in a way that recognised the surviving partner as authorised to take over the right to tenancy. The Court stated that the person actually remaining in cohabitation with the tenant - in the meaning of Article 691 § 1 of the Civil Code - is a person connected with the tenant by a bond of emotional, physical and economic nature. This also includes a person of the same sex.<ref>[https://www.ined.fr/Xtradocs/lawsandfamilies/LawsAndFamilies-PL-Section1.pdf/ Formalisation of legal family formats in Poland] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180619113200/https://www.ined.fr/Xtradocs/lawsandfamilies/LawsAndFamilies-PL-Section1.pdf |date=19 June 2018 }}. The LawsAndFamilies
== Public laws ==
Database. Retrieved 27 December 2017.</ref><ref>[https://lawsandfamilies-database.site.ined.fr/en/legal-project/data// Legal data in source papers - Poland]. The LawsAndFamilies Database. Retrieved 27 December 2017.</ref> Previously, in March 2010, the [[European Court of Human Rights]] ruled, in the case of ''Kozak v. Poland'', that LGBT people have the right to inherit from their partners.<ref>[http://www.thenews.pl/international/artykul126666.html Strasbourg: Polish gays can inherit]. Thenews.pl. Retrieved 20 November 2011.</ref>
The right of consenting adults to engage in [[homosexuality]] was recognized, by law, in 1932 with the introduction of a new penal code. The [[age of consent]] was set to 15, equal to that of [[heterosexual]] partners.<ref name="Tatchell 1992, p. 151"/> Homosexual prostitution was legalized in 1969.


==Adoption and parenting==
=== Recognition of same-sex relationships ===
Same-sex couples are unable to legally adopt in Poland. Furthermore, lesbian couples do not have access to [[In vitro fertilization|IVF]].
{{Main|Recognition of same-sex unions in Poland}}
There is no legal recognition of [[same-sex couples]]. Same-sex marriage is constitutionally banned. Article 18 of the [[Constitution of the Republic of Poland]] defines marriage as a union of a man and a woman and places it under the protection and care of the Republic of Poland.<ref name="Constitution">{{cite web | url=http://www.sejm.gov.pl/prawo/konst/angielski/kon1.htm | title=The Constitution of the Republic of Poland | publisher=Sejm | date=2 April 1997 | accessdate=10 July 2014}}</ref>


In October 2018, the Supreme Administrative Court ruled that a lesbian couple may register their 4-year-old boy as their child. Polish media described the case as "the first of its kind in Poland".<ref>[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-poland-gayrights/gay-couple-can-register-child-in-conservative-poland-court-idUSKCN1ML1OQ Gay couple can register child in conservative Poland: court], ''Reuters'', 11 October 2018</ref>
In late 2003, Polish Senator [[Maria Szyszkowska]] proposed [[civil union]]s for same-sex couples, calling for "registered partnerships", similar to the French [[Pacte civil de solidarité]] (PACS).{{citation needed|date=July 2014}} On 3 December 2004, the [[Senate of Poland|Senate]] (the upper chamber of the [[Polish Parliament]]) adopted the ''Civil Unions project''.{{citation needed|date=July 2014}} The bill lapsed in the [[Polish parliamentary election, 2005|2005 general election]].


In July 2020 the [[President of Poland]] formally proposed an amendment to the [[Constitution of Poland|Constitution]] that would ban adoption by a person in a same-sex relationship.<ref>[https://www.prezydent.pl/prawo/ustawy/zgloszone/art,36,prezydencki-projekt-zmiany-konstytucji-rp.html Prezydencki projekt zmiany Konstytucji RP] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210306163622/https://www.prezydent.pl/prawo/ustawy/zgloszone/art,36,prezydencki-projekt-zmiany-konstytucji-rp.html |date=6 March 2021 }}, ''prezydent.pl'', 6 July 2020</ref>
In 2004, [[Warsaw]]'s [[Zarząd Transportu Miejskiego|Municipal Transport Authority]] decision to allow cohabiting partners of gay and lesbian employees to travel free on the city's public transport system was the first case of recognition of same-sex couples in Poland.{{citation needed|date=July 2014}} In 2007, a decision of [[Chorzów]]’s City Center of Social Assistance recognized homosexual relationships.{{citation needed|date=July 2014}}


In November 2020 a law was proposed to only allow married couples to adopt. This would make it impossible for same-sex couples to adopt, due to same-sex marriage not being allowed in Poland. Demonstrations were unable to be held, due to the [[Coronavirus disease 2019|COVID-19]] virus.
On 23 February 2007, the verdict of the Appeals Court in [[Białystok]] recognized same-sex cohabitation (File I ACa 590/06).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bialystok.sa.sisco.info/?id=1352 |title=Sisco It |publisher=Bialystok.sa.sisco.info |date= |accessdate=20 January 2011}}</ref> On 6 December 2007, it was confirmed by Judgement of The Supreme Court of Warsaw (IV CSK 301/2007and IV CSK 326/2007).<ref>{{cite web | url=http://dziennik3rp.blogspot.com/2007/12/nie-ma-wsplnoci-jest-bezpodstawne.html | title=Dziennik III RP: Nie ma wspólności, jest bezpodstawne wzbogacenie | publisher=Dziennik3rp.blogspot.com | accessdate=20 January 2011 | language=pl}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rp.pl/artykul/4,74934.html |title=Związek homoseksualny to nawet nie konkubinat |language=pl |publisher=rp.pl |date= |accessdate=20 January 2011}}</ref>


In March 2021, the Polish government announced a new law that banned the adoption of children by same-sex couples. The law will also require authorities to vet candidates applying for adoption as a single parent to ensure that they are not cohabitating with someone of the same sex.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2021-03-11 |title=Poland to ban gays from adopting, even as single parents |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-eu-rights-lgbt-poland-idUSKBN2B31WN |access-date=2023-05-04}}</ref>
At the end of 2010, the Court in [[Złotów]] decided that the same-sex partner of a woman who had died was entitled to continue the lease on their communal apartment.<!--innastrona.pl citation supports this--> The municipality appealed the verdict, but the District Court in [[Poznań]] rejected the appeal.<!--innastrona.pl citation supports this--> Thus, the decision of the Court in Złotów became final. In support of the judge relied, for the first time, on the European Convention on Human Rights,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.innastrona.pl/newsy/4888/precedensowy-wyrok-w-zlotowie/|title=Precedensowy wyrok w Złotowie|publisher=|accessdate=23 August 2015}}</ref> which had ruled in ''Kozak v. Poland'' that gays and lesbians have the right to inherit from their partners.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thenews.pl/international/artykul126666.html|title=Thenews.pl :: News from Poland|publisher=|accessdate=23 August 2015}}</ref> Another similar case about the right to housing of a deceased male partner is pending in the Court in Warsaw.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.innastrona.pl/newsy/4863/mezczyzna-walczy-o-prawo-do-mieszkania-po-zmarlym-partnerze/|title=Mężczyzna walczy o prawo do mieszkania po zmarłym partnerze|publisher=|accessdate=23 August 2015}}</ref> However, in this case the District Court refused to recognise the tenancy law for the partner of the deceased tenant although earlier (2010), the Court in Strasbourg had ruled that this was discrimination.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wyborcza.pl/1,75248,10487114,Sad_w_Warszawie__Konkubinaty_homo_gorsze_niz_heteroseksualne.html#ixzz1b83C8mZT|title=Wyborcza.pl|publisher=|accessdate=23 August 2015}}</ref>


==Discrimination protections==
The major opposition to introducing same-sex marriages or civil unions comes from the Roman Catholic Church, which is influential politically, holding a considerable degree of influence in the state.<ref name="Huffington Post Lech Walesa" /> The Church also enjoys immense social prestige.<ref name="Brittanica religion Poland">{{cite web | url=http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/466681/Poland/28238/Languages | title=Poland :: Religion | work=Encyclopædia Britannica | accessdate=18 July 2014}}</ref> The Church holds that homosexuality is a deviation.<ref name="Huffington Post Lech Walesa" /> The nation is 95% Roman Catholic, with 54% practicing every week.<ref name="Religion CBOS">{{cite web | url=http://cbos.pl/SPISKOM.POL/2012/K_049_12.PDF | title=ZMIANY W ZAKRESIE WIARY I RELIGIJNOŚCI POLAKÓW PO ŚMIERCI JANA PAWŁA II | publisher=CBOS | date=April 2012 | accessdate=9 July 2014 | author=Boguszewski, Rafał | pages=5 | language=pl}}</ref>
Anti-discrimination provisions were added to the Labour Code ({{langx|pl|Kodeks pracy}}) in 2003. The [[Constitution of Poland|Polish Constitution]] guarantees equality in accordance with the law and prohibits discrimination based on "any reason".<ref name="Constitution" /> The proposal to include a prohibition of discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation in the Constitution was rejected in 1995, after strong Catholic Church objections.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nts.uni.wroc.pl/teksty/leszkowicz.html |title=Paweł Leszkowicz Wokół ratusza, czyli sztuka homoseksualna w polskiej przestrzeni publicznej. |publisher=Nts.uni.wroc.pl |access-date=20 January 2011 |language=pl |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111008132430/http://www.nts.uni.wroc.pl/teksty/leszkowicz.html |archive-date= 8 October 2011 }}</ref>


In 2007, an anti-discrimination law was under preparation by the Ministry of Labour that would prohibit discrimination on different grounds, including sexual orientation, not only in work and employment, but also in social security and social protection, health care, and education, although the provision of and access to goods and services would only be subject to a prohibition of discrimination on grounds of race or ethnic origin.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mps.gov.pl/bip/download/rownetraktowanie_050907.pdf |title=Draft Law on Equal Treatment 2007 |access-date=20 January 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081001205313/http://www.mps.gov.pl/bip/download/rownetraktowanie_050907.pdf |archive-date=1 October 2008 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> On 1 January 2011, a new law on equal treatment entered into force. It prohibits sexual orientation discrimination in employment only.<ref>[http://www.non-discrimination.net/content/media/2010-PL-Summary%20country%20Report%20LN_final.pdf Non-Discrimination Law: Poland Country Report 2010] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120509180900/http://www.non-discrimination.net/content/media/2010-PL-Summary%20country%20Report%20LN_final.pdf |date=9 May 2012 }}></ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.rownetraktowanie.gov.pl/files/dokumenty/ustawa%20nasza%20Dz%20U.pdf | title=Ustawa o wdrożeniu niektórych przepisów Unii Europejskiej w zakresie równego traktowania | access-date=20 January 2011 | language=pl }}{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> In September 2015, [[Amnesty International]] concluded that "the LGBTI community in Poland faces widespread and ingrained discrimination across the country" and that "Poland's legal system falls dangerously short when it comes to protecting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people and other minority groups from hate crimes".<ref name="amnesty.org">{{cite news|url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2015/09/poland-abandoning-hundreds-of-victims-of-hate-crimes-1/|title=Poland abandoning hundreds of victims of hate crimes|work=[[Amnesty International]]|date=17 September 2015}}</ref>
=== Unregistered cohabitation ===


Between 2015 and 2020, the Polish government has worked to reduce the effectiveness of the anti-discriminatory protections granted to LGBT people under EU law. Examining recent anti-discrimination cases, legal scholar Marcin Górski found that "the principle of equal treatment in Poland appears generally ineffective".<ref name=Górski>{{cite journal |last1=Górski |first1=Marcin |title=Application of EU Law on Equal Treatment in Poland. État de choses in 2020 |journal=Osteuropa Recht |date=2020 |volume=66 |issue=4 |pages=483–495 |doi=10.5771/0030-6444-2020-4-483 |s2cid=234914902 |url=https://www.nomos-elibrary.de/10.5771/0030-6444-2020-4-483/application-of-eu-law-on-equal-treatment-in-poland-etat-de-choses-in-2020-volume-66-2020-issue-4 |issn=0030-6444|quote=This brief overview concentrates on some problematic issues regarding the interpretation of provisions implementing the EU general principle of equal treatment.58 However, the overall picture emerging from these detail-focused considerations is that the principle of equal treatment in Poland appears generally ineffective. State authorities, predominantly the government ruling since 2015, have endeavoured to deprive anti-discrimination provisions (mostly enacted in the process of implementation of EU law) of any practical significance, whereas courts were neither eager nor able to resist this process, to put it delicately.}}</ref>
No specific law on cohabitation, only few provisions in different legal acts or Supreme Court rulings that recognise relations between unmarried partners and provide specific rights and obligations. For example, art. 115(11) kodeku karnego (Penal Code) includes definition of "the closest person" which covers also relations which are not formalised. The status of "the closest person" gives the right of refusal to testify against the partner. The term "partner" is not specified whether he/she has to be of different sex.


In June 2018, the Polish Supreme Court ruled that a [[Łódź]] printer acted illegally when he refused to print banners for an LGBT business group. The court argued that the principle of equality meant the printer did not have the right to withhold services from the business. The court also ruled that sexual orientation, race or other features of a person cannot be the basis for refusal to offer a service, but that freedom of conscience and religion must also be taken into account. The Campaign Against [[Homophobia]] welcomed the ruling, but it was condemned by Justice Minister [[Zbigniew Ziobro]] who called the ruling "against freedom" and "state violence in service of the ideology of homosexual activists".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/poland-printer-lgbt-group-refuse-work-supreme-court-ruling-gay-rights-a8399936.html|title=Poland's Supreme Court rules against printer who refused to make banners for LGBT+ group|work=Independent.co.uk|date=15 June 2018|access-date=19 July 2018|author=Vanessa Gera}}</ref> Ziobro filed a case with the Constitutional Tribunal to recognize the provision on the basis of which the printer was convicted as unconstitutional. On 26 June 2019, the Tribunal issued a judgment in which it found that the provision was incompatible with the Polish Constitution.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/poland-lgbt-constitution/poland-rules-in-favour-of-printer-convicted-over-refusing-lgbt-posters-idUSL8N23X4D4|title=Poland rules in favour of printer convicted over refusing LGBT posters|date=2019|website=Reuters}}</ref>
The resolution of the Supreme Court from 28 November 2012 (III CZP 65/12) on the interpretation of the term "a person who has lived actually in cohabitation with the tenant". The Supreme Court resolution was issued with regard to the case of a gay man who was a partner of a deceased person - main tenant of the apartment. The Court interpreted the law in a way that recognised the surviving partner as authorised to take over the right to tenancy. The Court stated that the person actually remaining in cohabitation with the tenant - in the meaning of Art. 691 § 1 of the Civil Code - is a person connected with the tenant by bond of emotional, physical and economic nature. It also includes a person of the same sex.<ref>[https://www.ined.fr/Xtradocs/lawsandfamilies/LawsAndFamilies-PL-Section1.pdf/ Formalisation of legal family formats in Poland]. The LawsAndFamilies
Database. Retrieved 27 December 2017.</ref><ref>[https://lawsandfamilies-database.site.ined.fr/en/legal-project/data// Legal data in source papers - Poland]. The LawsAndFamilies Database. Retrieved 27 December 2017.</ref>


In July 2020 the government of Poland [[lawsuit|sued]] [[IKEA]] for [[Termination of employment|firing]] an employee for severe homophobic remarks he made on the company's internal website. Poland's justice minister [[Zbigniew Ziobro]] called the dismissal, {{failed verification span|text=which was made in accordance with Poland's anti-discrimination laws,|reason=removed from the source|talk=Source changed|date=August 2021}} "absolutely scandalous".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kelleher |first=Patrick |date=2020-07-23 |title=Ikea sued by Polish government for sacking homophobe who told colleagues gay people deserved death |url=https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2020/07/23/ikea-poland-sued-lawsuit-gay-homophobic-employee-tomasz-k/ |access-date=2020-08-18 |work=PinkNews |language=en-GB}}[https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2020/07/23/ikea-poland-sued-lawsuit-gay-homophobic-employee-tomasz-k/]</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Moskwa |first=Wojciech |date=2020-07-23 |title=Ikea Sued by Poland for Firing Worker Over Anti-Gay Comments - BNN Bloomberg |work=Bloomberg |url=https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/ikea-sued-by-poland-for-firing-worker-over-anti-gay-comments-1.1469716 |access-date=2020-08-18}}</ref>
=== Discrimination protections ===
Anti-discrimination laws were added to the Labour Code in 2003. The [[Constitution of Poland|Polish Constitution]] guarantees equality in accordance with law and prohibits discrimination based on "any reason".<ref name="Constitution" /> The proposal to include a prohibition of discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation in the constitution in 1995 was rejected, after strong Catholic Church objections.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nts.uni.wroc.pl/teksty/leszkowicz.html |title=Paweł Leszkowicz Wokół ratusza, czyli sztuka homoseksualna w polskiej przestrzeni publicznej. |publisher=Nts.uni.wroc.pl |accessdate=20 January 2011 |language=pl |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111008132430/http://www.nts.uni.wroc.pl/teksty/leszkowicz.html |archivedate= 8 October 2011 |df= }}</ref>
The Polish ministry of Justice is funding a campaign for "counteracting crimes related to the violation of freedom of conscience committed under the influence of LGBT ideology", which is meant to protect people who "suffer under the pressure of new leftist ideologies".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Cienski |first=Jan |date=2020-08-05 |title=Polish police crack down on LGBTQ protesters |work=Politico |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/polish-police-crack-down-on-lgbtq-protesters/ |access-date=2020-08-18}}</ref>


===Hate crime laws===
In 2007, an anti-discrimination law was under preparation by the Ministry of Labour that would prohibit discrimination on different grounds, including sexual orientation, not only in work and employment, but also in social security and social protection, health care, and education, although the provision of and access to goods and services would only be subject to a prohibition of discrimination on grounds of race or ethnic origin.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mps.gov.pl/bip/download/rownetraktowanie_050907.pdf |title=Draft Law on Equal Treatment 2007 |format=PDF |date= |accessdate=20 January 2011 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081001205313/http://www.mps.gov.pl/bip/download/rownetraktowanie_050907.pdf |archivedate=1 October 2008 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> On 1 January 2011, a new law on equal treatment has entered into force. It only prohibits sexual orientation discrimination in employment.<ref>[http://www.non-discrimination.net/content/media/2010-PL-Summary%20country%20Report%20LN_final.pdf Non-Discrimination Law: Poland Country Report 2010]></ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.rownetraktowanie.gov.pl/files/dokumenty/ustawa%20nasza%20Dz%20U.pdf | title=Ustawa o wdrożeniu niektórych przepisów Unii Europejskiej w zakresie równego traktowania | accessdate=20 January 2011 | format=PDF | language=pl }}{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> In September 2015, [[Amnesty International]] concluded that "the LGBTI community in Poland faces widespread and ingrained discrimination across the country" and that "Poland’s legal system falls dangerously short when it comes to protecting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people and other minority groups from hate crimes".<ref name="amnesty.org">{{cite news|url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2015/09/poland-abandoning-hundreds-of-victims-of-hate-crimes-1/|title=Poland abandoning hundreds of victims of hate crimes|work=[[Amnesty International]]|date=17 September 2015}}</ref>
As of 2019, a bill is pending in Parliament to provide penalty enhancements if a crime is motivated by the victim's gender, gender identity, age, disability or sexual orientation.<ref name="hate">{{cite web | url=http://www.sejm.gov.pl/Sejm8.nsf/PrzebiegProc.xsp?id=20F5FCD8C97C7650C12582410041E87D | title=Poselski projekt ustawy o zmianie ustawy - Kodeks karny | publisher=Kancelaria Sejmu | year=2018 | access-date=2018-03-06 | language=pl }}</ref>


In November 2024, the Polish Prime Minister [[Donald Tusk]] agreed to legislation which would add sexual orientation, gender, age and disability into the country's existing [[Hate speech laws in Poland|hate speech laws]]. The legislation now heads to the [[Parliament of Poland|Parliament]] where it must receive a majority of votes to become law.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.thepinknews.com/2024/11/29/poland-anti-lgbtq-hate-speech/ | title=Poland to ban anti-LGBTQ+ hate speech in new regulations | website=[[PinkNews]] | date=November 29, 2024 | access-date=December 3, 2024 }}</ref>
=== Military service ===

Lesbian, gay and bisexual people are not banned from military service. There is an unwritten ''"Don't Ask, Don't Tell"'' policy in the Polish Armed Forces.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://natemat.pl/70501,homoseksualizm-w-wojsku-najwieksze-tabu-polskiej-armii | title=Homoseksualizm w wojsku – największe tabu polskiej armii | publisher=Na Temat | work=Na Temat | accessdate=18 August 2014 | author=Sikora, Kamil | language=pl}}</ref>
==Gender identity and expression==
Legal gender changes have been performed since the 1960s.<ref name="rainbow"/> Transgender people seeking to change their legal gender must receive a medical diagnosis. Only after the legal gender has been changed does a transgender individual gain the right to undergo sex reassignment surgery. The reason for this is because any surgery resulting in infertility is prohibited by Polish law (as stated in Polish Penal Code: Kodeks Karny art. 156 §1), with a few exceptions in cases such as uterine cancer or myoma. That is, castration on request is illegal and transgender individual must first seek a legal change, since just a medical diagnosis from a doctor is not enough.

A transgender individual must face a number of obstacles before having their legal gender changed, such as suing their parents. On the basis of offered further evidence (such as a medical diagnosis, medical records, witness/parental statements, etc.) a court may either pass sentence or refuse to do so.

In July 2015, the Polish Sejm approved a transgender recognition bill. Under the bill, transgender people would have been able to change gender without any physical interventions, but would have required statements from mental health experts that they are suffering from [[gender dysphoria]]. The bill was approved 252 to 158. The Senate proceeded to approve the bill in August,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tgeu.org/transgender-europe-acknowledges-first-polish-gender-recognition-law/|title=Transgender Europe acknowledges first Polish Gender Recognition Law|date=7 August 2015|publisher=Transgender Europe}}</ref> but President [[Andrzej Duda]] vetoed it in October. The Parliament failed to override his veto.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.towleroad.com/2015/10/polish-president-vetoes-major-transgender-rights-bill/|title=Polish President Vetoes Major Transgender Rights Bill|date=2 October 2015|publisher=Towleroad}}</ref>

==Military service==
Since the 1990s,<ref>↑ Craig A. Rimmerman: Gay rights, military wrongs: political perspectives on lesbians and gays in the military. New York: Garland Pub., 1996, s. 13. {{ISBN|0-8153-2086-8}}.</ref> lesbian, gay and bisexual people are not banned from military service and discrimination against them is officially forbidden. However, there is an unwritten rule of "[[don't ask, don't tell]]" and most gay Polish soldiers conceal their sexual orientation. In 2013, military personnel told [[NaTemat.pl]] portal that openly gay personnel would face social difficulty, especially for higher ranks, as for "commanding staff - officers and high-ranking NCOs - admitting to same-sex attraction would mean losing respect - qualities without which you simply cannot be a commander".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sikora |first1=Kamil |title=Homoseksualizm w wojsku – największe tabu polskiej armii |url=https://natemat.pl/70501,homoseksualizm-w-wojsku-najwieksze-tabu-polskiej-armii |access-date=28 August 2020 |work=[[naTemat.pl]] |date=5 August 2013 |language=PL-pl}}</ref>

Openly transgender people are officially barred from military service on the medical grounds. Diagnosis of [[gender dysphoria]] results in being automatically assigned as "permanently and completely unfit for military service, both in the time of conflict and peace".<ref>{{Cite web|title=Wojsko nie chce osób transseksualnych|url=https://www.rp.pl/Sluzby-mundurowe/304189925-Wojsko-nie-chce-osob-transseksualnych.html|access-date=2021-02-14|website=www.rp.pl|language=pl}}</ref>

==Conversion therapy==
{{Further|Legality of conversion therapy#Poland}}
In February 2019, [[Modern (political party)|Modern]] MPs alongside [[Campaign Against Homophobia]] activists submitted a draft bill to the [[Sejm]] to ban gay [[conversion therapy]]. The draft bill aims to ban using, promoting or advertising conversion practices. It will also prohibit promoting people or entities that offer, use, advertize or promote the [[Pseudoscience|pseudoscientific]] practice. The MPs plan to introduce the bill to the Polish Parliament where it will have its first reading in the upcoming months.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gaystarnews.com/article/poland-makes-moves-to-ban-gay-conversion-therapy/|title=Poland makes moves to ban gay conversion therapy|work=Gay Star News|date=22 February 2019|last=Power|first=Shannon|access-date=25 February 2019|archive-date=22 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190322131151/https://www.gaystarnews.com/article/poland-makes-moves-to-ban-gay-conversion-therapy/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2019/02/22/poland-closer-ban-gay-conversion-therapy/|title=Poland moves step closer to banning gay conversion therapy|last=Smith|first=Lydia|work=Pink News|date=22 February 2019}}</ref> Such a ban would implement the recommendation of the [[European Parliament]]<ref>{{cite news |title=The EU has voted to condemn gay 'cure' therapy, and urged member states to ban it |url=https://www.gaytimes.co.uk/life/the-eu-has-voted-to-condemn-gay-cure-therapy-and-urged-member-states-to-ban-it/ |access-date=28 August 2020 |work=GAY TIMES |date=3 March 2018}}</ref> and [[United Nations Independent Expert on Protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity]].<ref name="onet" />

In August 2020, the [[Polish Episcopal Conference]] released a document which recommended the creation of counseling centres "to help people who want to regain their sexual health and natural sexual orientation". It insists that the scientific consensus that conversion therapy is ineffective and potentially harmful to be "[[political correctness]]".<ref name=onet>{{cite news |title=Kościół chce tworzyć poradnie dla osób LGBT. Chodzi o "pragnących odzyskać naturalną orientację płciową" |url=https://www.onet.pl/informacje/onetwiadomosci/kosciol-chce-tworzyc-poradnie-dla-osob-lgbt/pfr6q4g,79cfc278 |access-date=28 August 2020 |work=[[onet.pl]] |date=27 August 2020}}</ref>

==Blood donation==
In 2005 the Ministry of Health has changed the laws regarding blood donation, eliminating the "risk groups" that included gay men, and replaced them with "risk behaviours" such as frequent changes in sexual partners, or having sexual relations with a HIV-positive persons. As "risk behaviours" can be performed by a person regardless of gender or sexuality, that ensured legal right for queer people to donate blood as long as they have met other requirements.

Despite that, as late as in August 2007 Regional Blood Donation and Treatment Center in Bydgoszcz (''pl.: Regionalne Centrum Krwiodawstwa i Krwiolecznictwa w Bydgoszczy,'' or ''RCKiK Bydgoszcz'') has included questions about same sex relations among both men and women in their mandatory questionaries, as brought to attention in a letter by [[Campaign Against Homophobia]]. In a response letter later the same month RCKiK Bydgoszcz has made a choice to reevaluate their questionaries in favour of more non discriminatory language.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://krwiodawcy.org/homoseksualizm-krwiodawstwo|title=Homoseksualizm a krwiodawstwo|date=17 April 2012}}</ref>

In 2008, the National Blood Center proposed regulations banning blood donation by gay and bisexual men, and addition of a question "Have you, as a man, ever had any sexual relations with another men?" into the mandatory pre-donation questionaries. The proposal was quickly rejected by the Institute of Hematology and Transfusion Medicine.<ref name="blood">{{cite web|url=https://kph.org.pl/honorowe-krwiodawstwo-mezczyzn-homo-i-biseksualnych-fakty-i-mity/|title=Honorowe krwiodawstwo mężczyzn homo- i biseksualnych. Fakty i mity|date=23 September 2009}}</ref>


==Social attitudes and public opinion==
==Social attitudes and public opinion==
According to Gregory E. Czarnecki, there are some similarities between antisemitism and homophobia in Polish nationalist discourse, especially that both groups are seen as deviant and diseased as well as a threat to the nation.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Analogies of Pre-War Anti-Semitism and Present-Day Homophobia in Poland|url=https://www.mirovni-institut.si/data/tinymce/Publikacije/beyond%20the%20pink%20curtain/20%20-%20Czarnecky.pdf|access-date=2021-05-18}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Kulpa |first1=Roberto |title=Public Discourses About Homosexuality and Religion in Europe and Beyond |date=2020 |publisher=Springer International Publishing |isbn=978-3-030-56326-4 |pages=147–169 |language=en |chapter=Antisemitism and Homophobia in Polish Liberal Discourses: The Cultural Logic of Comparison and a Proposal for Intersectionality}}</ref>


=== 2000–2010 ===
A survey from 2005 found 89% of the population stating that they considered homosexuality an unnatural activity. Half believed homosexuality should be tolerated.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,13509-2195834,00.html | title=Pilgrimage will let Pope pray for a country that is turning to intolerance | publisher=The Times Online | date=25 May 2006 | accessdate=18 July 2014 | author=Boyes, Roger |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070208080656/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article725521.ece |archivedate=8 February 2007}}</ref>
A survey from 2005 found that 89% of the population considered homosexuality an unnatural activity. Nevertheless, half believed homosexuality should be tolerated.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,13509-2195834,00.html | title=Pilgrimage will let Pope pray for a country that is turning to intolerance | publisher=The Times Online | date=25 May 2006 | access-date=18 July 2014 | author=Boyes, Roger |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070208080656/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article725521.ece |archive-date=8 February 2007}}</ref>


An opinion poll conducted in late 2006 at the request of the [[European Commission]] indicated Polish public opinion was overwhelmingly opposed to same-sex marriage and to adoption by gay couples. The Eurobarometer 66<ref>http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/eb/eb66/eb66_highlights_en.pdf</ref> poll found that 74% and 89% of Poles respectively were opposed to same-sex marriage and adoption by gay couples. Of the EU member states surveyed, only Latvia and Greece had higher levels of opposition.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2006/dec/06122207.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070110200906/http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2006/dec/06122207.html |dead-url=yes |archive-date=10 January 2007 |title=EU Poll Shows Europeans Divided on Homosexual Marriage, but Reject Homosexual Adoptions. |last=Greenberg |first=Elizabeth |df= }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gaynz.com/aarticles/templates/features.asp?articleid=1871&zoneid=16|title=GayNZ.com - New Zealand's LGBT Community - 404 Error|publisher=|accessdate=23 August 2015}}</ref><ref>[https://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2006/78832.htm Country Reports on Human Rights Practices in Poland], US Department of State</ref> A poll in July 2009 showed that 87% of Poles were against gay adoption.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.polskieradio.pl/thenews/national/artykul111900_poles_against_gay_adoption.html |title=Poles against gay adoption – TheNews.pl :: News from Poland |publisher=Polskieradio.pl |date=26 May 2010 |accessdate=20 January 2011}}</ref>
An opinion poll conducted in late 2006 at the request of the [[European Commission]] indicated that Polish public opinion was overwhelmingly opposed to same-sex marriage and to adoption by same-sex couples. A 2006 Eurobarometer poll found that 74% and 89% of Poles respectively were opposed to same-sex marriage and adoption by same-sex couples. Of the EU member states surveyed, only [[Latvia]] and [[Greece]] had higher levels of opposition.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gaynz.com/aarticles/templates/features.asp?articleid=1871&zoneid=16|title=GayNZ.com - New Zealand's LGBT Community - 404 Error|access-date=23 August 2015}}{{Dead link|date=April 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>[https://2001-2009.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2006/78832.htm Country Reports on Human Rights Practices in Poland], US Department of State</ref> A poll in July 2009 showed that 87% of Poles were against gay adoption.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.polskieradio.pl/thenews/national/artykul111900_poles_against_gay_adoption.html |title=Poles against gay adoption – TheNews.pl :: News from Poland |publisher=Polskieradio.pl |date=26 May 2010 |access-date=20 January 2011}}</ref> A poll from 23 December 2009 for Newsweek Poland reported another shift towards more positive attitudes. Sixty percent of respondents stated that they would have no objections to having an openly gay minister or a head of government.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://wiadomosci.gazeta.pl/Wiadomosci/1,80708,7384857,Premier_gej__Polacy_nie_maja_nic_przeciwko_temu.html | title=Premier-gej? Polacy nie mają nic przeciwko temu | publisher=Wiadomosci.gazeta.pl | access-date=20 January 2011 | author=mar | language=pl}}</ref>
A poll from 23 December 2009 for Newsweek Poland reported another shift towards more positive attitudes. Sixty percent of respondents stated that they would have no objections to having an openly gay minister or a head of the government.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://wiadomosci.gazeta.pl/Wiadomosci/1,80708,7384857,Premier_gej__Polacy_nie_maja_nic_przeciwko_temu.html | title=Premier-gej? Polacy nie mają nic przeciwko temu | publisher=Wiadomosci.gazeta.pl | accessdate=20 January 2011 | author=mar | language=pl}}</ref>


A 2008 study revealed that 66% of Poles believed that gay people should not have the right to organize public demonstrations, 69% of Poles believed that gay people should not have the right to show their way of life. Also, 37% of Poles believed that gay people should have the right to engage in sexual activity, with 37% believing they should not.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://fakty.interia.pl/polska/news/polacy-nie-chca-parad-homoseksualistow,1123562 |title=Polacy nie chcą parad homoseksualistów - Polska - Fakty w INTERIA.PL |publisher=Fakty.interia.pl |date=6 June 2008 |access-date=20 January 2011 |language=pl |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100822181323/http://fakty.interia.pl/polska/news/polacy-nie-chca-parad-homoseksualistow%2C1123562 |archive-date=22 August 2010 |df=dmy }}</ref>
A 2010 study published in the newspaper ''[[Rzeczpospolita (newspaper)|Rzeczpospolita]]'' revealed that Poles overwhelmingly oppose same-sex marriage and the adoption of children by gay couples. 80% of Poles opposed same-sex marriage and 93% of Poles opposed the adoption of children by same-sex couples.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rp.pl/artykul/450884.html |title="Nie" dla małżeństw gejowskich |language=pl |publisher=rp.pl |date=23 March 2010 |accessdate=20 January 2011}}</ref>


In 2010, an IIBR opinion poll conducted for Newsweek Poland found that 43% of Poles agreed that openly gay people should be banned from military service. 38% thought that such a ban should not exist in the Polish Army.<ref name="2010 IIBR opinion poll Newsweek">{{cite web | url=http://polska.newsweek.pl/sondaz--geje-w-wojsku-dziela-polakow,69394,1,1.html | title=Sondaż: Geje w wojsku dzielą Polaków | publisher=Newsweek | work=Newsweek | date=16 December 2010 | accessdate=18 August 2014 | language=pl}}</ref>
In 2010, an IIBR opinion poll conducted for Newsweek Poland found that 43% of Poles agreed that openly gay people should be banned from military service. 38% thought that such a ban should not exist in the Polish military.<ref name="2010 IIBR opinion poll Newsweek">{{cite web | url=http://polska.newsweek.pl/sondaz--geje-w-wojsku-dziela-polakow,69394,1,1.html | title=Sondaż: Geje w wojsku dzielą Polaków | work=Newsweek | date=16 December 2010 | access-date=18 August 2014 | language=pl | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819102808/http://polska.newsweek.pl/sondaz--geje-w-wojsku-dziela-polakow,69394,1,1.html | archive-date=19 August 2014 | url-status=dead | df=dmy-all }}</ref>


=== 2011–2020 ===
A majority of Poles also oppose [[Pride parade]]s – a 2008 study revealed that 66% of Poles believe that gay people should not have the right to organize public demonstrations, 69% of Poles believe that gay people should not have the right to show their way of life. Also, 37% of Poles believe that gay people should have the right to engage in sexual activity, with 37% believing they should not.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://fakty.interia.pl/polska/news/polacy-nie-chca-parad-homoseksualistow,1123562 |title=Polacy nie chcą parad homoseksualistów - Polska - Fakty w INTERIA.PL |publisher=Fakty.interia.pl |date=6 June 2008 |accessdate=20 January 2011 |language=pl |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100822181323/http://fakty.interia.pl/polska/news/polacy-nie-chca-parad-homoseksualistow%2C1123562 |archivedate=22 August 2010 |df=dmy }}</ref>
In 2011, according to a poll by TNS Polska, 54% of [[Polish people|Poles]] supported same-sex partnerships, while 27% supported same-sex marriage.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://m.wyborcza.pl/wyborcza/1,105226,9696907,Gej_przestraszyl_Platforme.html | title=Gej przestraszył Platformę | publisher=M.wyborcza.pl | date=2011-05-31 | access-date=2013-11-21 | author=Renata Grochal | language=pl | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131219205445/http://m.wyborcza.pl/wyborcza/1,105226,9696907,Gej_przestraszyl_Platforme.html | archive-date=19 December 2013 | url-status=dead | df=dmy-all }}</ref>


In 2011, according to a poll by TNS Polska, 54% of [[Poles]] supported same-sex partnerships while 27% supported same-sex marriage.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://m.wyborcza.pl/wyborcza/1,105226,9696907,Gej_przestraszyl_Platforme.html | title=Gej przestraszył Platformę | publisher=M.wyborcza.pl | date=2011-05-31 | accessdate=2013-11-21 | author=Renata Grochal | language=pl}}</ref>
In a 2013 opinion poll conducted by [[Centrum Badania Opinii Społecznej|CBOS]], 68% of Poles were against gays and lesbians publicly showing their way of life, 65% of Poles were against same-sex [[civil unions]], 72% were against same-sex marriage and 88% were against adoption by same-sex couples.<ref name="CBOS Civil union">{{cite web | url=http://cbos.pl/SPISKOM.POL/2013/K_024_13.PDF | title=Stosunek do praw gejów i lesbijek oraz związków partnerskich | publisher=Centrum Badania Opinii Społecznej | date=February 2013 | access-date=30 June 2014 | author=Feliksiak, Michał | language=pl}}</ref>


In a 2013 opinion poll conducted by [[Centrum Badania Opinii Społecznej|CBOS]], 68% of Poles were against gays and lesbians publicly showing their way of life, 65% of Poles were against same-sex [[civil unions]], 72% were against same-sex marriage and 88% were against adoption by same-sex couples.<ref name="CBOS Civil union">{{cite web | url=http://cbos.pl/SPISKOM.POL/2013/K_024_13.PDF | title=Stosunek do praw gejów i lesbijek oraz związków partnerskich | publisher=Centrum Badania Opinii Społecznej | date=February 2013 | accessdate=30 June 2014 | author=Feliksiak, Michał | language=pl}}</ref>
In a CBOS opinion poll from August 2013, a majority (56%) of respondents stated that "homosexuality is always wrong and can never be justified". 26% stated that there is nothing wrong with it and can always be justified". 12% were indifferent.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cbos.pl/SPISKOM.POL/2013/K_111_13.PDF |title=Wartości i normy |date=August 2013 |access-date=6 July 2015 |publisher=CBOS |author=Rafał Boguszewski |language=pl}}</ref>


In a CBOS opinion poll from August 2013, a majority (56%) of respondents stated that homosexuality is "always wrong and can never be justified". 26% stated that "there is nothing wrong with it and can always be justified". 12% were indifferent.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cbos.pl/SPISKOM.POL/2013/K_111_13.PDF |title=Wartości i normy |date=August 2013 |accessdate=6 July 2015 |publisher=CBOS |author=Rafał Boguszewski |language=Polish}}</ref>
A CBOS opinion poll from February 2014 found that 70% of Poles believed that same-sex sexual activity "is morally unacceptable", while only 22% believed it "is morally acceptable".<ref name="CBOS Feb 2014">{{cite web|url=http://cbos.pl/SPISKOM.POL/2014/K_015_14.PDF |title=RELIGIJNOŚĆ A ZASADY MORALNE |date=February 2014 |access-date=6 July 2015 |publisher=CBOS |author=Rafał Boguszewski |language=pl}}</ref>


An Ipsos survey in October 2019 found that a majority of Polish men under 40 believe that "the LGBT movement and [[Anti-gender movement|gender ideology]]" is the "biggest threat facing them in the 21st century".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/25/anti-lgbt-rhetoric-stokes-tensions-in-eastern-europe|title=Anti-LGBT rhetoric stokes tensions in eastern Europe|last1=Walker|first1=Shaun|date=2019-10-25|work=The Guardian|access-date=2020-01-28|last2=Tait|first2=Christian Davies Robert |language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077}}</ref>
A CBOS opinion poll from February 2014 found that 70% of Poles believe same-sex sexual activity is morally unacceptable, while only 22% believed it is morally acceptable.<ref name="CBOS Feb 2014">{{cite web|url=http://cbos.pl/SPISKOM.POL/2014/K_015_14.PDF |title=RELIGIJNOŚĆ A ZASADY MORALNE |date=February 2014 |accessdate=6 July 2015 |publisher=CBOS |author=Rafał Boguszewski |language=Polish}}</ref>


===Opinion polls===
===Opinion polls===
{{further|Recognition of same-sex unions in Poland#Public opinion}}
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! rowspan=2 | Poles' support for parenthood: (CBOS poll)
! colspan=2 | 2014<ref>[http://www.tokfm.pl/Tokfm/1,103085,16968599.html CBOS: Jesteśmy za wychowywaniem dzieci przez pary homoseksualne &#91;...&#93;] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129040936/http://www.tokfm.pl/Tokfm/1%2C103085%2C16968599.html |date=29 November 2014 }}. M.wyborcza.pl (14 November 2014). Retrieved 15 November 2014.</ref>
|-
! '''<span style="color:green;">YES'''
! '''<span style="color:red;">NO'''
|-
| right for a lesbian to parent a child of her female partner
| '''<span style="color:green;">56%'''
| 35%
|-
| the situation above is morally acceptable
| 41%
| <span style="color:red;">49%
|-
| right for a gay (couple) to foster the child of a deceased sibling
| '''<span style="color:green;">52%'''
| 39%
|-
| the situation above is morally acceptable
| 38%
| '''<span style="color:red;">53%'''
|}


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
! rowspan=2 | Poles support for gay rights (CBOS poll)
! rowspan=2 | Support for the recognition of same-sex relationships
! colspan=2 | 2001<ref name="CBOS 2001 opinion poll">{{cite journal | url=http://www.cbos.pl/SPISKOM.POL/2001/K_049_01.PDF | title=POSTAWY WOBEC MAŁŻEŃSTW HOMOSEKSUALISTÓW | publisher=CENTRUM BADANIA OPINII SPOŁECZNEJ | accessdate=2014-04-11}}</ref>
! colspan=2 | 2001<ref name="CBOS 2001 opinion poll">{{cite web | url=http://www.cbos.pl/SPISKOM.POL/2001/K_049_01.PDF | title=POSTAWY WOBEC MAŁŻEŃSTW HOMOSEKSUALISTÓW | publisher=CENTRUM BADANIA OPINII SPOŁECZNEJ | access-date=2014-04-11}}</ref>
! colspan=2 | 2002<ref name="CBOS 2002 opinion poll">{{cite journal | url=http://www.cbos.pl/SPISKOM.POL/2002/K_049_02.PDF | title=KONKUBINAT PAR HETEROSEKSUALNYCH I HOMOSEKSUALNYCH | publisher=CENTRUM BADANIA OPINII SPOŁECZNEJ | accessdate=2014-04-11}}</ref>
! colspan=2 | 2002<ref name="CBOS 2002 opinion poll">{{cite web | url=http://www.cbos.pl/SPISKOM.POL/2002/K_049_02.PDF | title=KONKUBINAT PAR HETEROSEKSUALNYCH I HOMOSEKSUALNYCH | publisher=CENTRUM BADANIA OPINII SPOŁECZNEJ | access-date=2014-04-11}}</ref>
! colspan=2 | 2003<ref name="CBOS 2003 opinion poll">{{cite journal | url=http://www.cbos.pl/SPISKOM.POL/2003/K_189_03.PDF | title=ZWIĄZKI PARTNERSKIE PAR HOMOSEKSUALNYCH | publisher=CENTRUM BADANIA OPINII SPOŁECZNEJ | accessdate=2014-04-11}}</ref>
! colspan=2 | 2003<ref name="CBOS 2003 opinion poll">{{cite web | url=http://www.cbos.pl/SPISKOM.POL/2003/K_189_03.PDF | title=ZWIĄZKI PARTNERSKIE PAR HOMOSEKSUALNYCH | publisher=CENTRUM BADANIA OPINII SPOŁECZNEJ | access-date=2014-04-11}}</ref>
! colspan=2 | 2005<ref name="CBOS 2005 opinion poll">{{cite journal | url=http://www.cbos.pl/SPISKOM.POL/2005/K_127_05.PDF | title=AKCEPTACJA PRAW DLA GEJÓW I LESBIJEK I SPOŁECZNY DYSTANS WOBEC NICH | publisher=CENTRUM BADANIA OPINII SPOŁECZNEJ | accessdate=2014-04-11}}</ref>
! colspan=2 | 2005<ref name="CBOS 2005 opinion poll">{{cite web | url=http://www.cbos.pl/SPISKOM.POL/2005/K_127_05.PDF | title=AKCEPTACJA PRAW DLA GEJÓW I LESBIJEK I SPOŁECZNY DYSTANS WOBEC NICH | publisher=CENTRUM BADANIA OPINII SPOŁECZNEJ | access-date=2014-04-11}}</ref>
! colspan=2 | 2008<ref name="CBOS 2008 opinion poll">{{cite journal | url=http://www.cbos.pl/SPISKOM.POL/2008/K_088_08.PDF | title=PRAWA GEJÓW I LESBIJEK | publisher=CENTRUM BADANIA OPINII SPOŁECZNEJ | accessdate=2014-04-11 | author=Wenzel, Michał}}</ref>
! colspan=2 | 2008<ref name="CBOS 2008 opinion poll">{{cite web | url=http://www.cbos.pl/SPISKOM.POL/2008/K_088_08.PDF | title=PRAWA GEJÓW I LESBIJEK | publisher=CENTRUM BADANIA OPINII SPOŁECZNEJ | access-date=2014-04-11 | author=Wenzel, Michał}}</ref>
! colspan=2 | 2010<ref name="CBOS 2010 opinion poll">{{cite journal | url=http://www.cbos.pl/SPISKOM.POL/2010/K_095_10.PDF | title=PRAWA GEJÓW I LESBIJEK | publisher=CENTRUM BADANIA OPINII SPOŁECZNEJ | accessdate=2014-04-11}}</ref>
! colspan=2 | 2010<ref name="CBOS 2010 opinion poll">{{cite web | url=http://www.cbos.pl/SPISKOM.POL/2010/K_095_10.PDF | title=PRAWA GEJÓW I LESBIJEK | publisher=CENTRUM BADANIA OPINII SPOŁECZNEJ | access-date=2014-04-11}}</ref>
! colspan=2 | 2011<ref name="m.wyborcza.pl">{{cite web|url=http://m.wyborcza.pl/wyborcza/1,105226,13473637,Polacy__Zwiazki_partnerskie_nie_dla_gejow.html |title=Polacy: Związki partnerskie nie dla gejów |publisher=M.wyborcza.pl/ |date=2013-02-28 |accessdate=2014-04-11}}</ref>
! colspan=2 | 2011<ref name="m.wyborcza.pl">{{cite web |url=http://m.wyborcza.pl/wyborcza/1,105226,13473637,Polacy__Zwiazki_partnerskie_nie_dla_gejow.html |title=Polacy: Związki partnerskie nie dla gejów |publisher=M.wyborcza.pl/ |date=2013-02-28 |access-date=2014-04-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131219205443/http://m.wyborcza.pl/wyborcza/1,105226,13473637,Polacy__Zwiazki_partnerskie_nie_dla_gejow.html |archive-date=19 December 2013 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref>
! colspan=2 | 2013<ref name="CBOS 2013 opinion poll">{{cite journal | url=http://www.cbos.pl/SPISKOM.POL/2013/K_024_13.PDF | title=STOSUNEK DO PRAW GEJÓW I LESBIJEK ORAZ ZWIĄZKÓW PARTNERSKICH | publisher=CENTRUM BADANIA OPINII SPOŁECZNEJ | accessdate=2014-04-11}}</ref>
! colspan=2 | 2013<ref name="CBOS 2013 opinion poll">{{cite web | url=http://www.cbos.pl/SPISKOM.POL/2013/K_024_13.PDF | title=STOSUNEK DO PRAW GEJÓW I LESBIJEK ORAZ ZWIĄZKÓW PARTNERSKICH | publisher=CENTRUM BADANIA OPINII SPOŁECZNEJ | access-date=2014-04-11}}</ref>
! colspan=2 | 2017<ref>{{cite web|url=https://wiadomosci.dziennik.pl/wydarzenia/artykuly/565189,cbos-ponad-polowa-polakow-traktuje-homoseksualizm-jako-odstepstwo-od-normy.html|title=CBOS: Ponad połowa Polaków traktuje homoseksualizm jako odstępstwo od normy|website=wiadomosci.dziennik.pl|date=21 December 2017}}</ref>
! colspan=2 | 2019<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbos.pl/SPISKOM.POL/2019/K_090_19.PDF |title=Stosunek Polaków do związków homoseksualnych |access-date=2020-05-29}}</ref>
! colspan=2 | 2022<ref>{{cite web|url=https://wiadomosci.radiozet.pl/Polska/Sondaz-IBRiS-dla-Radia-ZET-Ponad-60-proc.-Polakow-za-zwiazkami-partnerskimi |title=Sondaż dla Radia ZET: Ponad 60 proc. Polaków za związkami partnerskimi |date=29 September 2022 |access-date=2022-11-04}}</ref>
|-
|-
! '''<span style="color:green;">YES'''
! '''<span style="color:green;">YES</span>'''
! '''<span style="color:red;">NO'''
! '''<span style="color:red;">NO</span>'''
! '''<span style="color:green;">YES'''
! '''<span style="color:green;">YES</span>'''
! '''<span style="color:red;">NO'''
! '''<span style="color:red;">NO</span>'''
! '''<span style="color:green;">YES'''
! '''<span style="color:green;">YES</span>'''
! '''<span style="color:red;">NO'''
! '''<span style="color:red;">NO</span>'''
! '''<span style="color:green;">YES'''
! '''<span style="color:green;">YES</span>'''
! '''<span style="color:red;">NO'''
! '''<span style="color:red;">NO</span>'''
! '''<span style="color:green;">YES'''
! '''<span style="color:green;">YES</span>'''
! '''<span style="color:red;">NO'''
! '''<span style="color:red;">NO</span>'''
! '''<span style="color:green;">YES'''
! '''<span style="color:green;">YES</span>'''
! '''<span style="color:red;">NO'''
! '''<span style="color:red;">NO</span>'''
! '''<span style="color:green;">YES'''
! '''<span style="color:green;">YES</span>'''
! '''<span style="color:red;">NO'''
! '''<span style="color:red;">NO</span>'''
! '''<span style="color:green;">YES'''
! '''<span style="color:green;">YES</span>'''
! '''<span style="color:red;">NO'''
! '''<span style="color:red;">NO</span>'''
! '''<span style="color:green;">YES</span>'''
! '''<span style="color:red;">NO</span>'''
! '''<span style="color:green;">YES</span>'''
! '''<span style="color:red;">NO</span>'''
! '''<span style="color:green;">YES</span>'''
! '''<span style="color:red;">NO</span>'''
|-
|-
| "registered partnerships"
| "registered partnerships"
| –
| <span style="color:green;">-
| –
| <span style="color:red;">–
| 15%
| 15%
| '''<span style="color:red;">76%'''
| '''<span style="color:red;">76%</span>'''
| 34%
| 34%
| '''<span style="color:red;">56%'''
| '''<span style="color:red;">56%</span>'''
| '''<span style="color:green;">46%'''
| '''<span style="color:green;">46%</span>'''
| 44%
| 44%
| 41%
| 41%
| '''<span style="color:red;">48%'''
| '''<span style="color:red;">48%</span>'''
| 45%
| 45%
| '''<span style="color:red;">47%'''
| '''<span style="color:red;">47%</span>'''
| 25%
| 25%
| '''<span style="color:red;">65%'''
| '''<span style="color:red;">65%</span>'''
| 33%
| 33%
| '''<span style="color:red;">60%'''
| '''<span style="color:red;">60%</span>'''
| 36%
| '''<span style="color:red;">56%</span>'''
| 35%
| '''<span style="color:red;">60%</span>'''
| '''<span style="color:green;">64%</span>'''
| 30%
|-
|-
| "same-sex marriages"
| "same-sex marriages"
| 24%
| 24%
| '''<span style="color:red;">69%'''
| '''<span style="color:red;">69%</span>'''
| -
|
| –
| –
| –
| -
| –
| –
| 22%
| 22%
| '''<span style="color:red;">72%'''
| '''<span style="color:red;">72%</span>'''
| 18%
| 18%
| '''<span style="color:red;">76%'''
| '''<span style="color:red;">76%</span>'''
| 16%
| 16%
| '''<span style="color:red;">78%'''
| '''<span style="color:red;">78%</span>'''
| -
| 25%
| '''<span style="color:red;">65%</span>'''
| –
| 26%
| 26%
| '''<span style="color:red;">68%'''
| '''<span style="color:red;">68%</span>'''
| 30%
| '''<span style="color:red;">64%</span>'''
| 29%
| '''<span style="color:red;">66%</span>'''
| <span style="color:green;">48%</span>
| 42%
|-
|-
| "adoption rights"
| "adoption rights"
| 8%
| 8%
| '''<span style="color:red;">84%'''
| '''<span style="color:red;">84%</span>'''
| -
|
| –
| –
| 8%
| 8%
| '''<span style="color:red;">84%'''
| '''<span style="color:red;">84%</span>'''
| 6%
| 6%
| '''<span style="color:red;">90%'''
| '''<span style="color:red;">90%</span>'''
| 6%
| 6%
| '''<span style="color:red;">90%'''
| '''<span style="color:red;">90%</span>'''
| 6%
| 6%
| '''<span style="color:red;">89%'''
| '''<span style="color:red;">89%</span>'''
| -
|
| –
| –
| 8%
| 8%
| '''<span style="color:red;">87%'''
| '''<span style="color:red;">87%</span>'''
| 11%
| '''<span style="color:red;">84%</span>'''
| 9%
| '''<span style="color:red;">84%</span>'''
| 24%
| '''<span style="color:red;">66%</span>'''
|}
|}


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
! rowspan=2 | Poles support for gay rights (PBS poll)
! rowspan=2 | Support for LGBT parenthood
! colspan=2 | 2013<ref>[http://wyborcza.pl/1,75478,14745603.html Polski rekord tolerancji: 40 proc. z nas akceptuje związki partnerskie dla homoseksualistów]. M.wyborcza.pl (9 October 2013). Retrieved 12 October 2013.</ref>
! colspan=2 | 2014<ref>[http://www.tokfm.pl/Tokfm/1,103085,16968599.html CBOS: Jesteśmy za wychowywaniem dzieci przez pary homoseksualne &#91;...&#93;] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129040936/http://www.tokfm.pl/Tokfm/1%2C103085%2C16968599.html |date=29 November 2014 }}. M.wyborcza.pl (14 November 2014). Retrieved 15 November 2014.</ref>
! colspan=2 | 2015<ref>[http://miloscniewyklucza.pl/badania.html Postawy wobec równości małżeńskiej w Polsce]. Miłość Nie Wyklucza (May 2015). Retrieved 14 April 2016.</ref>
|-
|-
! '''<span style="color:green;">YES'''
! '''<span style="color:green;">YES</span>'''
! '''<span style="color:red;">NO'''
! '''<span style="color:red;">NO</span>'''
! '''<span style="color:green;">YES'''
! '''<span style="color:red;">NO'''
|-
|-
| right for a lesbian to parent a child of her female partner
| "any form of recognition of same-sex unions"
| '''<span style="color:green;">56%</span>'''
| -
| -
| 35%
| '''<span style="color:green;">55%'''
| -
|-
|-
| the situation above is morally acceptable
| "notarial agreement"
| -
| -
| '''<span style="color:green;">49%'''
| 38%
|-
| "registered partnerships"
| 40%
| '''<span style="color:red;">46%'''
| 37%
| '''<span style="color:red;">52%'''
|-
| "same-sex marriages"
| 30%
| '''<span style="color:red;">56%'''
| 29%
| '''<span style="color:red;">61%'''
|-
| "adoption rights"
| 17%
| '''<span style="color:red;">70%'''
| 22%
| '''<span style="color:red;">70%'''
|}

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! rowspan=2 | Poles support for gay rights
! colspan=2 | 2011<ref>[http://m.wyborcza.pl/wyborcza/1,105226,9696907,Gej_przestraszyl_Platforme.html Gej przestraszył Platformę]. M.wyborcza.pl (31 May 2011). Retrieved 20 November 2011.</ref><br/><small>TNS OBOP</small>
! colspan="2" |2013<ref>[http://www.se.pl/wydarzenia/kraj/sondaz-super-expessu-o-zwiazkach-partnerskich-polacy-przeciw-mazenstwom-homo_304814.html Sondaż Super Expressu o związkach partnerskich: Polacy przeciw małżeństwom homo!. Retrieved 22 June 2013.]</ref><br/><small>Homo Homini</small>
! colspan="2" |2017<ref>{{cite news|url=https://oko.press/pierwszy-polsce-zwolennicy-homoseksualnych-zwiazkow-partnerskich-sa-wiekszosci-moze-juz-czas/|title=Po raz pierwszy w Polsce zwolennicy jednopłciowych związków partnerskich są w większości. Może już czas|date=26 June 2017|accessdate=26 June 2017}}</ref><br/><small>IPSOS</small>
|-
! '''<span style="color:green;">YES'''
! '''<span style="color:red;">NO'''
!'''<span style="color:green;">YES'''
!'''<span style="color:red;">NO'''
!'''<span style="color:green;">YES'''
!'''<span style="color:red;">NO'''
|-
| "registered partnerships"
| '''<span style="color:green;">54%'''
| 41%
| 41%
|'''<span style="color:green;">55%'''
| <span style="color:red;">49%</span>
|39%
|'''<span style="color:green;">52%'''
|43%
|-
|-
| right for a gay (couple) to foster the child of a deceased sibling
| "same-sex marriages"
| '''<span style="color:green;">52%</span>'''
| 27%
| 39%
| '''<span style="color:red;">68%'''
|27%
|'''<span style="color:red;">69%'''
|38%
|'''<span style="color:red;">57%'''
|-
|-
| the situation above is morally acceptable
| "adoption rights"
| 7%
| 38%
| '''<span style="color:red;">90%'''
| '''<span style="color:red;">53%</span>'''
|14%
|'''<span style="color:red;">84%'''
|16%
|'''<span style="color:red;">80%'''
|}
|}


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
! rowspan=2 | Support for the recognition of same-sex relationships, 2012<ref>[http://rownetraktowanie.gov.pl/sites/default/files/rtsdr_prezentacja_wybranych_wynikow_-_slajdy_oraz_ich_opisy_2.pdf Równe traktowanie standardem dobrego rządzenia] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131219190417/http://rownetraktowanie.gov.pl/sites/default/files/rtsdr_prezentacja_wybranych_wynikow_-_slajdy_oraz_ich_opisy_2.pdf |date=19 December 2013 }}. (pages 36–39.</ref>
! rowspan=2 | Support for "registered partnerships" (OBOP poll)<ref>[http://fakty.interia.pl/polska/news-tns-polska-67-proc-za-prawami-zwiazkow-partnerskich-heterose,nId,943514 TNS Polska: 67 proc. za prawami związków partnerskich heteroseksualnych].</ref>
! colspan=2 | opposite-sex couples
! colspan=2 | opposite-sex couples
! colspan=2 | same-sex couples
! colspan=2 | same-sex couples
|-
|-
! '''<span style="color:green;">YES'''
! '''<span style="color:green;">YES</span>'''
! '''<span style="color:red;">NO'''
! '''<span style="color:red;">NO</span>'''
! '''<span style="color:green;">YES'''
! '''<span style="color:green;">YES</span>'''
! '''<span style="color:red;">NO'''
! '''<span style="color:red;">NO</span>'''
|-
| "registered partnerships" ('''III 2013''')
| '''<span style="color:green;">67%'''
| 34%
| 47%
| '''<span style="color:red;">53%'''
|}

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! rowspan=2 | Support for "registered partnerships" 2012 (CEAPP poll)<ref>[http://rownetraktowanie.gov.pl/sites/default/files/rtsdr_prezentacja_wybranych_wynikow_-_slajdy_oraz_ich_opisy_2.pdf Równe traktowanie standardem dobrego rządzenia]. (pages 36–39.</ref>
! colspan=2 | opposite-sex couples
! colspan=2 | same-sex couples
|-
! '''<span style="color:green;">YES'''
! '''<span style="color:red;">NO'''
! '''<span style="color:green;">YES'''
! '''<span style="color:red;">NO'''
|-
|-
| "registered partnerships"
| "registered partnerships"
| '''<span style="color:green;">72%'''
| '''<span style="color:green;">72%</span>'''
| 17%
| 17%
| 23%
| 23%
| '''<span style="color:red;">65%'''
| '''<span style="color:red;">65%</span>'''
|-
|-
| "right to obtain medical information"
| "right to obtain medical information"
| '''<span style="color:green;">86%'''
| '''<span style="color:green;">86%</span>'''
| -
|
| '''<span style="color:green;">68%'''
| '''<span style="color:green;">68%</span>'''
| -
|
|-
|-
| "right to inherit"
| "right to inherit"
| '''<span style="color:green;">78%'''
| '''<span style="color:green;">78%</span>'''
| -
|
| '''<span style="color:green;">57%'''
| '''<span style="color:green;">57%</span>'''
| -
|
|-
|-
| "rights to common tax accounting"
| "rights to common tax accounting"
| '''<span style="color:green;">75%'''
| '''<span style="color:green;">75%</span>'''
| -
|
| '''<span style="color:green;">55%'''
| '''<span style="color:green;">55%</span>'''
| -
|
|-
|-
| "right to inherit the pension of a deceased partner"
| "right to inherit the pension of a deceased partner"
| '''<span style="color:green;">75%'''
| '''<span style="color:green;">75%</span>'''
| -
|
| '''<span style="color:green;">55%'''
| '''<span style="color:green;">55%</span>'''
| -
|
|-
|-
| "right to a refund in vitro treatments"
| "right to a refund in vitro treatments"
| '''<span style="color:green;">58%'''
| '''<span style="color:green;">58%</span>'''
| -
|
| 20%
| 20%
| –
| '''<span style="color:red;">-'''
|-
|-
| "right to adopt a child"
| "right to adopt a child"
| '''<span style="color:green;">65%'''
| '''<span style="color:green;">65%</span>'''
| -
|
| 16%
| 16%
| –
| '''<span style="color:red;">-'''
|}

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! rowspan=2 | Support for the recognition of same-sex relationships
! colspan=2 | 2011<ref>[http://m.wyborcza.pl/wyborcza/1,105226,9696907,Gej_przestraszyl_Platforme.html Gej przestraszył Platformę] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131219205445/http://m.wyborcza.pl/wyborcza/1,105226,9696907,Gej_przestraszyl_Platforme.html |date=19 December 2013 }}. M.wyborcza.pl (31 May 2011). Retrieved 20 November 2011.</ref><br /><small>TNS OBOP</small>
! colspan="2" |2013<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.se.pl/wiadomosci/polska/sondaz-super-expessu-o-zwiazkach-partnerskich-polacy-przeciw-mazenstwom-homo-aa-Ayjo-Z9fS-X8ZU.html|title=Sondaż Super Expressu o związkach partnerskich: Polacy przeciw małżeństwom homo!|website=www.se.pl}}</ref><br /><small>Homo Homini</small>
! colspan="2" |2013<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ipsos.com/sites/default/files/news_and_polls/2013-06/6151-tb1.pdf|title=IPSOS poll|date=June 2017|access-date=2020-07-31}}</ref><br /><small>IPSOS</small>
! colspan="2" |2017<ref>{{cite news|url=https://oko.press/pierwszy-polsce-zwolennicy-homoseksualnych-zwiazkow-partnerskich-sa-wiekszosci-moze-juz-czas/|title=Po raz pierwszy w Polsce zwolennicy jednopłciowych związków partnerskich są w większości. Może już czas|date=26 June 2017|access-date=26 June 2017}}</ref><br /><small>IPSOS</small>
! colspan="2" |2019<ref>{{cite news|url=https://oko.press/polki-i-polacy-gotowi-na-zwiazki-partnerskie-i-rownosc-malzenska-sondaze-i-eurobarometr/|title=Polki i Polacy gotowi na związki partnerskie i równość małżeńską [SONDAŻE I EUROBAROMETR]|date=25 September 2019}}</ref><br /><small>IPSOS</small>
|-
! '''<span style="color:green;">YES</span>'''
! '''<span style="color:red;">NO</span>'''
!'''<span style="color:green;">YES</span>'''
!'''<span style="color:red;">NO</span>'''
!'''<span style="color:green;">YES</span>'''
!'''<span style="color:red;">NO</span>'''
!'''<span style="color:green;">YES</span>'''
!'''<span style="color:red;">NO</span>'''
!'''<span style="color:green;">YES</span>'''
!'''<span style="color:red;">NO</span>'''
|-
| "registered partnerships"
| '''<span style="color:green;">54%</span>'''
| 41%
|'''<span style="color:green;">55%</span>'''
|39%
|'''<span style="color:green;">39%</span>'''
|24%
|'''<span style="color:green;">52%</span>'''
|43%
|'''<span style="color:green;">60%</span>'''
|
|-
| "same-sex marriages"
| 27%
| '''<span style="color:red;">68%</span>'''
|27%
|'''<span style="color:red;">69%</span>'''
|21%
|'''<span style="color:red;">24%</span>'''
|38%
|'''<span style="color:red;">57%</span>'''
|41%
|'''<span style="color:red;"></span>'''
|-
| "adoption rights"
| 7%
| '''<span style="color:red;">90%</span>'''
|14%
|'''<span style="color:red;">84%</span>'''
|&ndash;
|'''&ndash;'''
|16%
|'''<span style="color:red;">80%</span>'''
|21%
|'''<span style="color:red;"></span>'''
|}
|}


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
! Acceptance of a homosexual as a... ([[Centrum Badania Opinii Społecznej|CBOS]], July 2005<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.cbos.pl/SPISKOM.POL/2005/K_127_05.PDF | title=AKCEPTACJA PRAW DLA GEJÓW I LESBIJEK I SPOŁECZNY DYSTANS WOBEC NICH | publisher=CBOS | accessdate=30 July 2014 | author=Wenzel, Michał | year=2005 | pages=8 | language=pl}}</ref>)
! Acceptance of a homosexual as a... ([[Centrum Badania Opinii Społecznej|CBOS]], July 2005)<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.cbos.pl/SPISKOM.POL/2005/K_127_05.PDF | title=AKCEPTACJA PRAW DLA GEJÓW I LESBIJEK I SPOŁECZNY DYSTANS WOBEC NICH | publisher=CBOS | access-date=30 July 2014 | author=Wenzel, Michał | year=2005 | pages=8 | language=pl}}</ref>
! Gay (Yes)
! Gay (Yes)
! Gay (No)
! Gay (No)
Line 409: Line 454:
|-
|-
| Neighbour
| Neighbour
| '''<span style="color:green;">56%'''
| '''<span style="color:green;">56%</span>'''
| 38%
| 38%
| '''<span style="color:green;">54%'''
| '''<span style="color:green;">54%</span>'''
| 40%
| 40%
|-
|-
| Co-worker
| Co-worker
| 45%
| 45%
| '''<span style="color:red;">50%'''
| '''<span style="color:red;">50%</span>'''
| 42%
| 42%
| '''<span style="color:red;">53%'''
| '''<span style="color:red;">53%</span>'''
|-
|-
| Boss
| Boss
| 41%
| 41%
| '''<span style="color:red;">53%'''
| '''<span style="color:red;">53%</span>'''
| 42%
| 42%
| '''<span style="color:red;">53%'''
| '''<span style="color:red;">53%</span>'''
|-
|-
| MP
| MP
| 37%
| 37%
| '''<span style="color:red;">57%'''
| '''<span style="color:red;">57%</span>'''
| 38%
| 38%
| '''<span style="color:red;">56%'''
| '''<span style="color:red;">56%</span>'''
|-
|-
| Teacher
| Teacher
| 19%
| 19%
| '''<span style="color:red;">77%'''
| '''<span style="color:red;">77%</span>'''
| 21%
| 21%
| '''<span style="color:red;">75%'''
| '''<span style="color:red;">75%</span>'''
|-
|-
| Childminder
| Child-minder
| 11%
| 11%
| '''<span style="color:red;">86%'''
| '''<span style="color:red;">86%</span>'''
| 14%
| 14%
| '''<span style="color:red;">83%'''
| '''<span style="color:red;">83%</span>'''
|-
|-
| Priest
| Priest
| 13%
| 13%
| '''<span style="color:red;">82%'''
| '''<span style="color:red;">82%</span>'''
| -
|
| -
|
|-
| Does not tolerate homosexuals at all
| -
| <span style="color:red;">40%
| -
| <span style="color:red;">43%
|}
|}


== Public opinion ==
==Attitude of politicians==
[[File:02019 0057 MW-Protesters chant Nazi slogan in Rzeszów - fag's place is under the boot!.jpg|thumb|Counter-protest at the 2019 Rzeszów [[equality marches in Poland|equality march]]: "a [[Faggot (slang)|fag]]'s place is under the boot!"]]
The parties on the left of the political scene generally approve of the postulates of the gay rights movement and would vote in favour of the new LGBT legislation. The Democratic Left Alliance (4th largest party), are supporters of gay rights and same-sex marriage. The [[Civic Platform|PO]], [[Law and Justice|PiS]] and [[Polish People's Party|PSL]] are generally against any changes in legislation, although of them, PiS takes the strongest oppositional stance on homosexual issues.
{{Pie chart
| thumb = right
| caption = Public opinion on same-sex marriage (2023) based on [[Pew Research Center]]<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2023/06/13/how-people-in-24-countries-view-same-sex-marriage/|title=How people in 24 countries view same-sex marriage|website=PewResearchCenter|access-date=June 13, 2023}}</ref>
| label1 =Strongly favor
| value1 =13
| color1 = #025
| label2 =Somewhat favor
| value2 =28
| color2 = #06F
| label3 =Not sure
| value3 =5
| color3 =lightgrey
| label4 =Somewhat oppose
| value4 =18
| color4 =red
| label5 =Strongly oppose
| value5 =36
| color5 =darkred
}}


A [[GLOBSEC]] survey conducted in March 2023 showed that 54% of Poles supported LGBT rights, such as same-sex marriage, while 38% were opposed.<ref name="globsec">{{cite web|url=https://www.globsec.org/sites/default/files/2023-05/GLOBSEC%20Trends%202023.pdf|title=GLOBSEC Trends 2023|work=GLOBSEC|page=75|date=2023}}</ref>
=== Law and Justice ===
After the [[Polish parliamentary election, 2005|2005 elections]], [[Law and Justice]] (PiS) came to power. They formed a coalition government with the [[League of Polish Families]] (LPR) and the [[Self-Defence of the Republic of Poland|Self-Defence Party]] (Samoobrona). The politicians of these parties have often been labelled "homophobic" by LGBT rights activists, both before and after the 2005 elections.<ref name="Amnesty 2006">{{cite web |url=https://www.amnesty.ie/sites/default/files/report/2010/04/lesbian%20gay%20bisexual%20transgender%20rights%20in%20poland.pdf |title=Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Rights in Poland and Latvia |publisher=Amnesty International |date=15 November 2006 |accessdate=15 July 2015 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110311225702/http://amnesty.ie/sites/default/files/report/2010/04/lesbian%20gay%20bisexual%20transgender%20rights%20in%20poland.pdf |archivedate=11 March 2011 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> Prominent government figures have said things that might not have pleased the LGBT community in Poland and Europe.:<ref name="Amnesty 2006" /> {{quote|"Let’s not be misled by the brutal propaganda of homosexuals’ postures of tolerance. It is a kind of madness, and for that madness, our rule will indeed be for them a dark night"|[[Kazimierz Michał Ujazdowski]], PiS<ref name="Amnesty 2006" />}} {{quote|"If a person tries to infect others with their homosexuality, then the state must intervene in this violation of freedom."|[[Kazimierz Marcinkiewicz]], Prime Minister, PiS<ref name="Amnesty 2006" />}} {{quote|"If deviants begin to demonstrate, they should be hit with batons."|[[Wojciech Wierzejski]], MP, LPR<ref name="Amnesty 2006" />}}


According to Polish respondents to the [[European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights]] 2019 EU LGBTI survey II:<ref name=survey>{{cite book|url=https://fra.europa.eu/sites/default/files/fra_uploads/fra-2020-lgbti-equality-1_en.pdf|title=EU LGBTI II: A long way to go for LGBTI equality|publisher=[[European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights]]| isbn=978-92-9474-997-0|doi=10.2811/7746|date=2020|author1=European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights}}</ref>
On 5 July 2006, [[Miroslaw Kochalski]] stated, in relation to the [[Parada Rownosci]], that the march was "immoral and a danger to the inhabitants of Warsaw."<ref name="Amnesty 2006" />


* 83% often or always avoid holding hands with their same-sex partner (61% in the EU at large) — second-highest rate in the EU
On 7 August 2006, Paweł Zyzak, editor in chief of a PiS magazine, ''Right Turn!'', wrote that homosexuals are "animals" and "the emissaries of Satan sent to destroy the Catholic
* 51% often or always avoid certain locations for fear of being assaulted (33%) — the highest rate in the EU
Church".<ref name="Amnesty 2006" />
* 27% are often or always open about being LGBT (47%)
* 26% felt discriminated against at work in the past year (21%)
* 47% felt discriminated against in at least one area of life in the past year (42%)
* 42% were harassed in the past year (38%)
* 15% have been attacked in the past 5 years (11%) — the highest rate in the EU
* 1 in 5 trans and intersex people were physically or sexually attacked in the past five years
* 19% say that LGBTI prejudice and intolerance has dropped in their country in the last five years (40%); 68% say they have risen (36%)
* 4% believe that their national government effectively combats prejudice and intolerance against LGBTI people (33%) — the lowest rate in the EU


According to the survey, Poland has the largest gap in the EU between life satisfaction of LGBTI people and the general population.<ref name="survey" />
In the city of [[Koscierzyna]], [[Waldemar Bonkowski]], a leading member of PiS, hung up a banner that read "Today it’s gays and lesbians -- what’s next, zoophilia? Is that liberty and democracy? No, that’s syphilisation! Our Polish pope is looking down from the sky and asking, Whither goest thou, Poland?" on the wall of the local party headquarters.<ref name="Amnesty 2006" />


The 2023 Eurobarometer found that 50% of Polish people thought same-sex marriage should be allowed throughout Europe (45% disagreed), and 55% agreed that "there is nothing wrong in a sexual relationship between two persons of the same sex".<ref>{{Cite web |date=22 December 2023 |title=Discrimination in the EU_sp535_volumeA.xlsx [QB15_2] and [QB15_3] |url=https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/ebsm/enwiki/api/public/odp/download?key=357D4B83D1BE42F7D20030592A2E8DE4 |access-date=29 December 2023 |website=data.europa.eu |format=xls}}</ref>
==== Lech Kaczyński ====
During the presidential campaign before the [[Polish presidential election, 2005|2005 Presidential election]], [[Lech Kaczyński]], who won the elections, stated that he would continue to ban LGBT demonstrations, as he did while [[Mayor of Warsaw]], and that "public promotion of homosexuality will not be allowed".<ref name="Amnesty 2006" />


An Ipsos poll in June 2024 have found that 67% of Poles support the right of same-sex couples to marry or legally register their relationship.<ref>{{Cite web |title=67% of Poles support legalizing same-sex marriage: survey - English Section - polskieradio.pl |url=https://polskieradio.pl/395/7789/artykul/3393325,67-of-poles-support-legalizing-samesex-marriage-survey |access-date=2024-07-02 |website=polskieradio.pl |language=pl-PL}}</ref>
===== Presidential address =====
On 17 March 2008 Kaczyński delivered a presidential address to the nation on public television, in which he described same-sex marriage as an institution contrary to the widely accepted moral order in Poland and the moral beliefs of the majority of the population.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQx44LYqObw | title=Orędzie Lecha Kaczyńskiego 17.03.2008 | publisher=YouTube | date=17 March 2008 | accessdate=20 January 2011 | language=pl}}</ref> The address featured a wedding photograph of an Irish gay rights activist, Brendan Fay and Tom Moulton, which Kaczyński had not sought permission to use. The presidential address outraged left-wing political parties and gay rights activists, who subsequently invited the two to Poland and demanded apologies from the president, which he did not issue.{{citation needed|date=July 2014}}


A poll conducted in April 2024 by United Surveys showed growing support for recognition of same-sex families in Poland with 50% of respondents supported same-sex marriage and 66% supported same-sex civil partnership. 86% of supporters of the ruling coalition supported same-sex marriage and 97% supported same-sex civil partnership.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Poll shows growing support for same-sex marriage in Poland - English Section - polskieradio.pl |url=https://polskieradio.pl/395/7789/artykul/3370012,poll-shows-growing-support-for-samesex-marriage-in-poland |access-date=2024-04-27 |website=polskieradio.pl |language=pl-PL}}</ref>
==== Jarosław Kaczyński ====
On 30 August 2006, during a visit to the European Commission, Lech's twin brother, [[Jarosław Kaczyński]], as the Prime Minister of Poland, stated that "people with such preferences have full rights in Poland, there is no tradition in Poland of persecuting such people". He also asked the President of the European Commission, [[Jose Manuel Barroso]] "not to believe in the myth of Poland as an anti-Semitic, homophobic and xenophobic country".<ref name="Amnesty 2006" />


==Politics==
Jarosław Kaczyński has been less harsh in his descriptions of homosexuality. In one interview he stated that he had always been "in favour of tolerance" and that "the issue of intolerance towards gay people had never been a Polish problem". He said he did not recall gays being persecuted in the [[Polish People's Republic]] more severely than other minority groups and acknowledged that many eminent Polish celebrities and public figures of that era were widely known to be homosexual. Jarosław Kaczyński also remarked that there are a lot of gay clubs in Poland and that there is a substantial amount of gay press and literature.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gaylife.pl/artykul.php?id=1038 |title=>< Artykuł > |publisher=Gaylife.Pl |date= |accessdate=20 January 2011 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090118041912/http://www.gaylife.pl/artykul.php?id=1038 |archivedate=18 January 2009 }}</ref> In another interview abroad, he invited the interviewer to Warsaw to visit one of the many gay clubs in the capital. He also confirmed that there are some homosexuals in his own party, but said they would rather not open their private lives to the public.{{citation needed|date=July 2014}} This was also confirmed by the Member of the European Parliament from PiS, [[Tadeusz Cymański]].<ref>[http://www.dziennik.pl/polityka/article422937/Cymanski_Geje_moga_sie_realizowac_w_PiS.html ] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090901183801/http://www.dziennik.pl/polityka/article422937/Cymanski_Geje_moga_sie_realizowac_w_PiS.html |date=1 September 2009 }}</ref>
The parties on the left of the political scene generally approve of the postulates of the gay rights movement and vote in favour of LGBT legislation. The New Left, Modern, [[Labor United]], and [[Your Movement]], are supporters of LGBT rights. More socially right-wing parties, such as [[Law and Justice (Poland)|PiS]], [[Confederation Liberty and Independence|Confederation]], [[Agreement (political party)|Agreement]] and [[Polish People's Party|PSL]], are generally against any changes in legislation. Out of these, PiS takes the strongest oppositional stance on homosexual issues.

While the current the [[Civic Platform]] was strongly disapproving towards LGBT legislation when it was the ruling party in Poland in 2007–2015, as of late its leaders have started expressing more favourable stances towards the community.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2008-03-30 |title=PO: nie jesteśmy za legalizacją związków homoseksualnych |url=https://www.wprost.pl/kraj/126672/po-nie-jestesmy-za-legalizacja-zwiazkow-homoseksualnych.html |access-date=2022-04-19 |website=Wprost |language=pl}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=office |first=Kafkadesk Kraków |date=2021-08-30 |title=Poland: Donald Tusk expresses support for legalizing same-sex unions |url=https://kafkadesk.org/2021/08/30/poland-donald-tusk-expresses-support-for-legalizing-same-sex-unions/ |access-date=2022-04-19 |website=kafkadesk.org |language=en-GB}}</ref>

In 2013, former [[President of Poland|President]] and [[Nobel prize]] winner [[Lech Wałęsa]] said that gay MPs should sit at the back of the Parliament or even behind a wall and should not have important positions in Parliament. He also said that pride parades should not take place in the city centres, but in the suburbs of cities. The former president also stated that minorities should not impose themselves upon the majority. Wałęsa could not have been accused of inciting to hatred because the Polish Penal Code does not include inciting to hatred against sexual orientation.<ref name="Huffington Post Lech Walesa">{{cite news | url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/03/lech-walesa-shocks-poland_n_2802860.html | title=Lech Walesa Shocks Poland With Anti-Gay Words | work=Huffington Post | date=3 March 2013 | agency=AP | access-date=14 July 2014 | author=Gera, Vanessa | location=Warsaw, Poland}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.thenews.pl/1/9/Artykul/129908,Walesa-escapes-hate-crime-charge-after-antigay-tirade | title=Walesa escapes hate crime charge after anti-gay tirade | work=Polskie Radio dla Zagranicy | date=13 March 2013 | access-date=14 July 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.ilga-europe.org/home/guide_europe/country_by_country/poland/poland_lech_walesa_gays_should_be_made_to_sit_at_the_back_in_parliament | title=Poland: Lech Walesa – 'Gays should be made to sit at the back in parliament' | publisher=ILGA Europe | work=Thenews.pl | date=4 March 2013 | access-date=14 July 2014 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715013200/http://www.ilga-europe.org/home/guide_europe/country_by_country/poland/poland_lech_walesa_gays_should_be_made_to_sit_at_the_back_in_parliament | archive-date=15 July 2014 | df=dmy-all }}</ref>

The [[Council of Europe]] has highlighted "homophobic statements by leading public figures, creating an atmosphere of hate and intolerance" since 2007. In December 2020, the [[Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights]], [[Dunja Mijatović]], stated that she was "deeply concerned about the propagation of negative and inflammatory homophobic narratives by many public officials in Poland, including people in the highest ranks of government... Stigmatisation and hate directed at certain individuals or groups of people carry a real risk of legitimising violence, sometimes with fatal consequences."<ref name="December 2020"/><ref>{{cite news |title=Poland should act to stop LGBTI intolerance, says Council of Europe |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-poland-lgbt/poland-should-act-to-stop-lgbti-intolerance-says-council-of-europe-idUSKBN28D130 |access-date=8 December 2020 |work=Reuters |date=3 December 2020 |language=en}}</ref>

===Law and Justice===
After the [[2005 Polish parliamentary election|2005 elections]], the [[Law and Justice (Poland)|Law and Justice]] party (PiS) came to power. They formed a coalition government with the [[League of Polish Families]] (LPR) and the [[Self-Defence of the Republic of Poland|Self-Defence Party]] (Samoobrona). The politicians of these parties have often been labelled as "homophobic" by LGBT rights activists, both before and after the 2005 elections.<ref name="Amnesty 2006">{{cite web |url=https://www.amnesty.ie/sites/default/files/report/2010/04/lesbian%20gay%20bisexual%20transgender%20rights%20in%20poland.pdf |title=Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Rights in Poland and Latvia |publisher=Amnesty International |date=15 November 2006 |access-date=15 July 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110311225702/http://amnesty.ie/sites/default/files/report/2010/04/lesbian%20gay%20bisexual%20transgender%20rights%20in%20poland.pdf |archive-date=11 March 2011 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> Prominent government figures have made several homophobic and unscientific comments with regards to homosexuality, and have tried to suppress [[freedom of speech]] and [[freedom of assembly]] for LGBT people:<ref name="Amnesty 2006" /> {{blockquote|"Let's not be misled by the brutal propaganda of homosexuals' postures of tolerance. It is a kind of madness, and for that madness, our rule will indeed be for them a dark night"|[[Kazimierz Michał Ujazdowski]], PiS, 3 October 2005<ref name="Amnesty 2006" />}} {{blockquote|"If a person tries to infect others with their homosexuality, then the state must intervene in this violation of freedom."|[[Kazimierz Marcinkiewicz]], Prime Minister, PiS, 11 May 2006<ref name="Amnesty 2006" />}} {{blockquote|"If deviants begin to demonstrate, they should be hit with batons."|[[Wojciech Wierzejski]], LPR, 9 October 2006<ref name="Amnesty 2006" />}}

On 5 July 2006, Mayor of Warsaw [[Miroslaw Kochalski]] stated, in relation to the [[Parada Równości]], that the march was "immoral and a danger to the inhabitants of Warsaw."<ref name="Amnesty 2006" />

On 7 August 2006, Paweł Zyzak, editor in chief of a PiS magazine, ''Right Turn!'', wrote that homosexuals were "animals" and "the emissaries of Satan sent to destroy the Catholic Church".<ref name="Amnesty 2006" />

In the city of [[Koscierzyna]], Waldemar Bonkowski, a leading member of PiS, hung up a banner that read, "Today it’s gays and lesbians – what’s next, [[zoophilia]]? Is that liberty and democracy? No, that’s syphilisation! Our [[John Paul II|Polish pope]] is looking down from the sky and asking, 'Whither goest thou, Poland?'" on the wall of the local party headquarters.<ref name="Amnesty 2006" />

During the presidential campaign before the [[2005 Polish presidential election|2005 election]], [[Lech Kaczyński]], who won the election, stated that he would continue to ban LGBT demonstrations, as he did while [[Mayor of Warsaw]], and that "public promotion of homosexuality will not be allowed".<ref name="Amnesty 2006" />

On 17 March 2008, Kaczyński delivered a presidential address to the nation on public television, in which he described same-sex marriage as an institution contrary to the widely accepted moral order in Poland and the moral beliefs of the majority of the population. The address featured a wedding photograph of an [[Ireland|Irish]] gay rights activist, Brendan Fay and Tom Moulton, which Kaczyński had not sought permission to use. The presidential address outraged left-wing political parties and gay rights activists, who subsequently invited the two to Poland and demanded apologies from the President, which he did not issue.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQx44LYqObw |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140521214621/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQx44LYqObw |archive-date=2014-05-21 |url-status=dead| title=Orędzie Lecha Kaczyńskiego 17.03.2008 | publisher=YouTube | date=17 March 2008 | access-date=20 January 2011 | language=pl}}</ref>

On 30 August 2006, during a visit to the European Commission, Lech's twin brother, [[Jarosław Kaczyński]], as the Prime Minister of Poland, stated that "people with such preferences have full rights in Poland, there is no tradition in Poland of persecuting such people". He also asked the President of the European Commission, [[Jose Manuel Barroso]] "not to believe in the myth of Poland as an anti-Semitic, homophobic and xenophobic country".<ref name="Amnesty 2006" />


Jarosław Kaczyński has been less harsh in his descriptions of homosexuality. In one interview, he stated that he had always been "in favour of tolerance" and that "the issue of intolerance towards gay people had never been a Polish problem". He said he did not recall gays being persecuted in the [[Polish People's Republic]] more severely than other minority groups and acknowledged that many eminent Polish celebrities and public figures of that era were widely known to be homosexual. Jarosław Kaczyński also remarked that there are a lot of gay clubs in Poland and that there is a substantial amount of gay press and literature.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gaylife.pl/artykul.php?id=1038 |title=>< Artykuł > |publisher=Gaylife.Pl |access-date=20 January 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090118041912/http://www.gaylife.pl/artykul.php?id=1038 |archive-date=18 January 2009 }}</ref> In another interview abroad, he invited the interviewer to Warsaw to visit one of the many gay clubs in the capital. He also confirmed that there are some homosexuals in his own party, but said they would rather not open their private lives to the public. This was also confirmed by the Member of the European Parliament from PiS, [[Tadeusz Cymański]].
==== Kazimierz Marcinkiewicz ====
As Prime Minister in the PiS-led cabinet, Marcinkiewicz was often labelled "homophobic" for his statements regarding homosexual people. In October 2005, he stated homosexuality was "unnatural" and stated that "if a person tries to infect others with their homosexuality, then the state must intervene in this violation of freedom."<ref name="Amnesty 2006" />


In a 2009 interview for [[Gazeta Wyborcza]], former [[Polish Prime Minister]] [[Kazimierz Marcinkiewicz]] stated that his opinion about homosexual people changed when he met a Polish gay emigrant in London. The man stated that he "fled from Poland because he was gay and would not have freedom in his country". Marcinkiewicz concluded that he wouldn't want anyone to flee from Poland.<ref name="Colin Graham">{{Cite news |last=Graham |first=Colin |authorlink=Colin Graham |title=Gay Poles head for UK to escape state crackdown |publisher=The Observer |date= 1 July 2007 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/gayrights/story/0,,2115872,00.html |accessdate=14 July 2007| location=London}}</ref>
In a 2009 interview for [[Gazeta Wyborcza]], former Polish Prime Minister [[Kazimierz Marcinkiewicz]] stated that his opinion about homosexual people changed when he met a Polish gay emigrant in London. The man stated that he "fled from Poland because he was gay and would not have freedom in his country". Marcinkiewicz concluded that he would not want anyone to flee from Poland.<ref name="Colin Graham">{{Cite news |last=Graham |first=Colin |author-link=Colin Graham |title=Gay Poles head for UK to escape state crackdown |publisher=The Observer |date= 1 July 2007 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/gayrights/story/0,,2115872,00.html |access-date=14 July 2007| location=London}}</ref>


In a 2015 interview, [[President of Poland|President-elect]], [[Andrzej Duda]], originally from the [[Law and Justice (Poland)|PiS]] party, was asked if he would hire a homosexual. He answered that he would not care about personal relationships, as long as the person who was to be hired was not running around half-naked.<ref name="Andrzej Duda" /> Andrzej Duda also stated that "matters that are vital for society are not dealt with while others, undoubtedly connected with the leftist ideology, are being pushed forward. They are, in my view, destroying the traditional family which, since the dawn of mankind, has assured its development and endurance."<ref name="Andrzej Duda">{{cite web|url=http://www.krakowpost.com/2015/06/the-us-and-ireland-are-legalizing-gay-marriage-when-will-poland/ |title=The US and Ireland are legalizing gay marriage. When will Poland? |date=26 June 2015 |access-date=6 July 2015 |publisher=Krakow Post |author=Magdalena Stonawska}}</ref>
==== Andrzej Duda ====
In a 2015 interview, [[President of Poland|President-elect]] of Poland, [[Andrzej Duda]], originally from the [[Law and Justice|PiS]] party, was asked if he would hire a homosexual. He answered that he would not care about personal relationships, as long as the person who was to be hired was not running around half-naked.<ref name="Andrzej Duda" />


In November 2018, it was reported that [[President of Poland|President]] [[Andrzej Duda]] would support a ban on "homosexual propaganda", based on the [[Russian gay propaganda law]]. He said: "I think that this kind of propaganda should not take place in schools, it has to be calmly and consistently opposed", and that "[i]f such a law was created and would be well written, I do not exclude that I would approach it seriously." Such a law would violate the Polish Constitution and the [[European Convention on Human Rights]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gaystarnews.com/article/polish-president-considering-a-ban-on-homosexual-propaganda/|title=Polish president considering a ban on 'homosexual propaganda'|work=Gay Star News|date=10 November 2018|last=Gunz|first=Rafaella|access-date=21 November 2018|archive-date=29 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190429070209/https://www.gaystarnews.com/article/polish-president-considering-a-ban-on-homosexual-propaganda/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2018/11/11/poland-president-gay-propaganda-ban/|title=Polish president Andrzej Duda considering 'gay propaganda' ban|date=11 November 2018|work=PinkNews|last=Kelleher|first=Patrick}}</ref>
Andrzej Duda also stated that "matters that are vital for society are not dealt with while others, undoubtedly connected with the leftist ideology, are being pushed forward. They are, in my view, destroying the traditional family which, since the dawn of mankind, has assured its development and endurance."<ref name="Andrzej Duda">{{cite web|url=http://www.krakowpost.com/2015/06/the-us-and-ireland-are-legalizing-gay-marriage-when-will-poland/ |title=The US and Ireland are legalizing gay marriage. When will Poland? |date=26 June 2015 |accessdate=6 July 2015 |publisher=Krakow Post |author=Magdalena Stonawska}}</ref>


In November 2018, following government pressure and threats, more than 200 schools cancelled a planned anti-bullying campaign called "Rainbow Friday", which the Campaign Against Homophobia had promoted in hopes of building greater acceptance for LGBT students in Poland and fighting hatred and homophobia in schools. The [[Ministry of National Education (Poland)|Minister of Education]], [[Anna Zalewska]], had warned that any principals who allowed such events to take place could face negative consequences. She also asked parents to report any such activities to authorities,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.voanews.com/a/polish-schools-cancel-lgbt-event-under-government-pressure/4630955.html|title=Polish Schools Cancel LGBT Event Under Government Pressure|work=VOA News|date=26 October 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2018/10/27/poland-rainbow-friday-warnings/|title=Polish schools cancel LGBT activities after government warnings|work=PinkNews|date=27 October 2018|last=Kelleher|first=Patrick}}</ref> however it was reported that many students defied the ban and turned up to school in rainbow colors regardless, and that many schools also refused to comply with the warnings.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gaystarnews.com/article/polish-students-defy-ban-on-lgbti-events-turn-up-to-school-in-rainbows/|title=Polish students defy ban on LGBTI events, turn up to school in rainbows|work=Gay Star News|date=27 October 2018|last=Power|first=Shannon|access-date=21 November 2018|archive-date=28 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190428162551/https://www.gaystarnews.com/article/polish-students-defy-ban-on-lgbti-events-turn-up-to-school-in-rainbows/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
=== League of Polish Families ===
In the [[Polish parliamentary election, 2005|2005 election]], the [[League of Polish Families]] (LPR) won 8% of the vote and 34 seats in the [[Sejm]]. They entered into a [[coalition]] [[Cabinet of Kazimierz Marcinkiewicz|government]] with [[Law and Justice|PiS]] and [[Self-Defence of the Republic of Poland|Samoobrona]].


In April 2019, Conservative party chairman [[Jarosław Kaczyński]] called the LGBT rights movement a "foreign imported threat to the nation". During a lecture on patriotism, Kaczynski also said "everyone must accept Christianity".<ref>{{cite web|url= http://time.com/5577841/lgbt-poland-jaroslaw-kaczynski/|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190427222602/http://time.com/5577841/lgbt-poland-jaroslaw-kaczynski/|url-status= dead|archive-date= 27 April 2019|title=Poland's Ruling Party Chair Calls LGBT Rights a Threat to the Nation|publisher=Time|access-date=25 April 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.voanews.com/a/party-leader-calls-lgbt-rights-an-imported-threat-to-poland/4891764.html|title=Party Leader Calls LGBT Rights an Imported Threat to Poland|date=25 April 2019 |publisher=Voice of America|access-date=25 April 2019}}</ref> That same month, after an activist displayed posters of the [[Black Madonna]] with a rainbow halo, Interior Minister [[Joachim Brudzinski]] denounced the posters as "cultural barbarism". The activist was subsequently arrested by the police on charges of "[[Offending religious feelings (Poland)|offending religious feelings]]". [[Amnesty International]] condemned the arrest as "just another example of the constant harassment" and said that the activist "now faces up to two years in prison if found guilty under these absurd charges".<ref>[https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/lgbt-poles-latest-victims-nation-identity-crisis-190511212951252.html LGBT Poles are the latest victims of nation's 'identity crisis'], Al-Jazeera, Ylenia Gostoli, 12 May 2019</ref>
On 19 May 2006, [[Mirosław Orzechowski]], Deputy Minister of Education, stated that an international project organized by LGBT NGOs and financially supported by the European Commission Youth Programme would lead to the "depravity of young people".<ref name="Amnesty 2006" />


In June 2019, the newly appointed [[Ministry of National Education (Poland)|Minister of National Education]], [[Dariusz Piontkowski]], criticised an LGBT rights declaration that [[List of mayors of Warsaw|Mayor of Warsaw]] [[Rafał Trzaskowski]] had signed, saying that it was "an attempt to sexualize children by force" and "raise children who will be given away to pedophiles at some point".<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://time.com/5603465/pride-parade-poland-anti-lgbt-campaign/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190608232845/http://time.com/5603465/pride-parade-poland-anti-lgbt-campaign/|url-status=dead|archive-date=8 June 2019|title=Mayor Joins Poland's Pride Parade Amid Anti-LGBT Campaign|magazine=Time}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-06/09/c_138129030.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190609164053/http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-06/09/c_138129030.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=9 June 2019|title=Warsaw mayor joins equality parade for first time - Xinhua - English.news.cn|website=www.xinhuanet.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tvn24.pl/r/942173|title=Zanim został ministrem, mówił o karcie LGBT i "oddawaniu dzieci pedofilom". Politycy komentują|website=TVN24.pl}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://dziendobry.tvn.pl/a/lgbt-co-oznacza-ten-skrot-dariusz-piontkowski-polityk-pis-rozszyfrowal-nazwe|title=LGBT - co oznacza ten skrót? Dariusz Piontkowski, polityk PiS rozszyfrował nazwę - Dzień Dobry TVN|first=Dzień Dobry|last=TVN|date=6 June 2019|website=dziendobry.tvn.pl}}</ref>
==== Wojciech Wierzejski ====
[[Wojciech Wierzejski]] was a [[Member of the European Parliament]], and then a Deputy of the Sejm from the League of Polish Families. In June 2005, while in the [[European Parliament]], he called for "no tolerance for homosexuals and deviants".<ref name="Amnesty 2006" />


===League of Polish Families===
On 11 May 2006, while an MP, Wierzejski condemned the Warsaw [[Parada Równości]]. While condemning the parade, he stated the "deviants" should be "hit with batons". He also commented on the possible presence of German politicians at the parade, saying that "they are not serious politicians, but just gays and a couple of baton strikes will deter them from coming again. Gays are cowards by definition."<ref name="Amnesty 2006" />


In the [[2005 Polish parliamentary election|2005 election]], the [[League of Polish Families]] (LPR) won 8% of the vote and 34 seats in the [[Sejm]]. They entered into a [[coalition]] [[Cabinet of Kazimierz Marcinkiewicz|government]] with [[Law and Justice (Poland)|PiS]] and [[Self-Defence of the Republic of Poland|Samoobrona]].{{citation needed|date=August 2020}} On 19 May 2006, [[Mirosław Orzechowski]], Deputy Minister of Education, stated that an international project organized by LGBT NGOs and financially supported by the European Commission Youth Programme would lead to the "depravity of young people".<ref name="Amnesty 2006" /> [[Wojciech Wierzejski]] was a [[Member of the European Parliament]], and then a Deputy of the Sejm from the League of Polish Families. In June 2005, while in the [[European Parliament]], he called for "no tolerance for homosexuals and deviants".<ref name="Amnesty 2006" />
A day later, he wrote a letter to the Minister of the Interior and Administration and the Minister of Justice, in which he called for law enforcement agencies to check the legal and illegal sources of financing of the organizations of homosexual activists. He accused LGBT organisations of being involved with paedophiles and the illegal drug trade. He also wished to check if homosexual organisations penetrate Polish schools. In response to this, the State Prosecutor ordered all prosecutors to carefully check the financing of LGBT organizations, their alleged connections to criminal movements and their presence in schools.<ref name="Amnesty 2006" />


On 11 May 2006, while an MP, Wierzejski condemned the Warsaw [[Parada Równości]]. While condemning the parade, he stated the "deviants" should be "hit with batons". He also commented on the possible presence of [[Germany|German]] politicians at the parade, saying that "they are not serious politicians, but just gays and a couple of baton strikes will deter them from coming again. Gays are cowards by definition."<ref name="Amnesty 2006" /> A day later, he wrote a letter to the Minister of the Interior and Administration and the Minister of Justice, in which he called for law enforcement agencies to check the legal and illegal sources of financing of the organizations of homosexual activists. He accused LGBT organisations of being involved with paedophiles and the illegal drug trade. He also wished to check if homosexual organisations penetrated Polish schools. In response to this, the State Prosecutor ordered all prosecutors to carefully check the financing of LGBT organizations, their alleged connections to criminal movements and their presence in schools.<ref name="Amnesty 2006" /> On 2 June 2006, a complaint about Wierzejski's statements had been rejected by the Warsaw district prosecutor, because "the statements cannot be treated as threatening or encouraging to crime".<ref name="Amnesty 2006" />
On 2 June 2006, a complaint about Wierzejski's statements had been rejected by the Warsaw district prosecutor, because "the statements cannot be treated as threatening or encouraging to crime".<ref name="Amnesty 2006" />


On 8 June 2006, [[Roman Giertych]], the Deputy Prime Minister of Poland and Minister of Education, dismissed Mirosław Sielatycki, the director of the National In-Service Teacher Training Centre, because "a lot of books were encouraging teachers to organize meetings with LGBT non-governmental organizations such as [[Campaign Against Homophobia]] or [[Lambda]]" and because "these books were criticising the legal situation in most European countries, including Poland, in relation to non-recognition of gay marriage as being a form of discrimination". The new director of the centre said that "homosexual practices lead to drama, emptiness and degeneracy."<ref name="Amnesty 2006" />
==== Roman Giertych ====
On 8 June 2006, [[Roman Giertych]], Deputy Prime Minister of Poland and Minister of Education, dismissed Mirosław Sielatycki, the director of the National In-Service Teacher Training Centre because "a lot of books were encouraging teachers to organize meetings with LGBT non-governmental organizations such as [[Campaign Against Homophobia]] or [[Lambda]]" and because "these books were criticising the legal situation in most of European countries, including Poland, in relation to non-recognition of ‘gay marriage’ as being a form of discrimination". The new director of the centre said that "Homosexual practices lead to drama, emptiness and degeneracy."<ref name="Amnesty 2006" />


On 21 May 2006, Roman Giertych said that "LGBT organizations are sending transsexuals to kindergartens and asking children to change their sex".<ref name="Amnesty 2006" />
On 21 May 2006, Roman Giertych said that "LGBT organizations are sending transsexuals to kindergartens and asking children to change their sex".<ref name="Amnesty 2006" />


In March 2007 [[Roman Giertych]] proposed a bill that would ban homosexual people from the teaching profession and would also allow sacking those teachers who promote "the culture of homosexual lifestyle".<ref name="Direland Giertych law">{{cite web | url=http://direland.typepad.com/direland/2007/03/polands_sweepin.html | title=DIRELAND: POLAND'S SWEEPING NEW ANTI-GAY EDUCATION BILL | publisher=Direland | work=Direland | date=21 March 2007 | accessdate=14 July 2014 | author=Ireland, Doug}}</ref> At that time Giertych was a [[Deputy Prime Minister of Poland|deputy prime minister]] and a minister of education from a small right-wing and ultra-Catholic party, the [[League of Polish Families]], a coalition partner in the Law and Justice government.<ref name="Direland Giertych law" /> The proposition gained a lot of attention in the media and was widely condemned by the [[European Commission]],<ref>{{cite web|author=Scott Long Director, LGBT Rights Program |url=http://hrw.org/english/docs/2007/03/16/poland15512.htm |title=Poland: School Censorship Proposal Threatens Basic Rights &#124; Human Rights Watch |publisher=Hrw.org |date=2007-03-19 |accessdate=2013-11-21}}</ref> by [[Human Rights Watch]]<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.avert.org/news/poland-ban-discussion-homosexuality-schools | title=Poland to ban discussion of homosexuality in schools | publisher=Avert | work=Avert | accessdate=14 July 2014}}</ref> as well as by the Union of Polish Teachers, who organized a march through Warsaw (attended by 10,000 people) condemning the ministry's policy.<ref>{{Cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/6463213.stm |publisher=BBC News | title=Polish teachers march in Warsaw | date=17 March 2007 | accessdate=7 May 2010}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/6466205.stm |publisher=BBC News | title=Polish 'anti-gay' bill criticised | date=19 March 2007 | accessdate=7 May 2010}}</ref> The bill was not voted on, and the government soon failed, leading to new parliamentary elections in which the League of Polish Families won no parliamentary seats.<ref>{{Cite news| url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/1566999/Opposition-prevails-in-Polish-election.html | work=The Daily Telegraph | location=London | title=Opposition prevails in Polish election | date=22 October 2007 | accessdate=7 May 2010}}</ref> Giertych retired from politics and returned to his work as an attorney.{{citation needed|date=July 2014}}
In March 2007, [[Roman Giertych]] proposed a bill that would have banned homosexual people from the teaching profession and would also have allowed sacking those teachers who promote "the culture of homosexual lifestyle".<ref name="Direland Giertych law">{{cite web | url=http://direland.typepad.com/direland/2007/03/polands_sweepin.html | title=DIRELAND: POLAND'S SWEEPING NEW ANTI-GAY EDUCATION BILL | work=Direland | date=21 March 2007 | access-date=14 July 2014 | author=Ireland, Doug}}</ref> At that time, Giertych was the [[Deputy Prime Minister of Poland]] and the Minister of Education.<ref name="Direland Giertych law" /> The proposition gained a lot of attention in the media and was widely condemned by the [[European Commission]],<ref>{{cite web |author=Scott Long Director, LGBT Rights Program |url=http://hrw.org/english/docs/2007/03/16/poland15512.htm |title=Poland: School Censorship Proposal Threatens Basic Rights &#124; Human Rights Watch |publisher=Hrw.org |date=2007-03-19 |access-date=2013-11-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080305134948/http://www.hrw.org/english/docs/2007/03/16/poland15512.htm |archive-date=5 March 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref> by [[Human Rights Watch]],<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.avert.org/news/poland-ban-discussion-homosexuality-schools | title=Poland to ban discussion of homosexuality in schools | work=Avert | access-date=14 July 2014}}</ref> as well as by the Union of Polish Teachers, who organized a march through Warsaw (attended by 10,000 people) condemning the Ministry's policy.<ref>{{Cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/6463213.stm |work=BBC News | title=Polish teachers march in Warsaw | date=17 March 2007 | access-date=7 May 2010}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/6466205.stm |work=BBC News | title=Polish 'anti-gay' bill criticised | date=19 March 2007 | access-date=7 May 2010}}</ref> The bill was not voted on, and the Government soon failed, leading to new parliamentary elections in which the League of Polish Families won no parliamentary seats.<ref>{{Cite news| url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/1566999/Opposition-prevails-in-Polish-election.html | work=The Daily Telegraph | location=London | title=Opposition prevails in Polish election | date=22 October 2007 | access-date=7 May 2010}}</ref>


In 2007, PBS conducted an opinion poll associated with Roman Giertych's speech at a meeting of EU education ministers in Heidelberg. The pollster asked respondents if they agreed with Minister Giertych's statements:<ref name="Giertych opinion poll">{{cite web | url=http://www.pbs.pl/x.php/1,518/Giertych-w-Heidelbergu.html | title=Wystąpienie min. Giertycha na spotkaniu ministrów edukacji państw UE | publisher=PBS | date=2 March 2007 | access-date=30 July 2014 | language=pl | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808050939/http://www.pbs.pl/x.php/1,518/Giertych-w-Heidelbergu.html | archive-date=8 August 2014 | url-status=dead | df=dmy-all }}</ref>
===== Public opinion =====
In 2007, PBS conducted an opinion poll associated with Roman Giertych's speech at a meeting of EU education ministers in Heidelberg. The pollster asked respondents if they agreed with Minister Giertych's statements:<ref name="Giertych opinion poll">{{cite web | url=http://www.pbs.pl/x.php/1,518/Giertych-w-Heidelbergu.html | title=Wystąpienie min. Giertycha na spotkaniu ministrów edukacji państw UE | publisher=PBS | date=2 March 2007 | accessdate=30 July 2014 | language=pl}}</ref>
* "''Homosexual propaganda is growing in Europe, is reaching the younger children and is weakening the family.''" &ndash; 40% agreed, 56% disagreed.<ref name="Giertych opinion poll" />
* "''Homosexual propaganda is growing in Europe, is reaching the younger children and is weakening the family.''" &ndash; 40% agreed, 56% disagreed.<ref name="Giertych opinion poll" />
* "''Homosexual propaganda needs to be limited, so children will not have an improper perspective on the family.''" &ndash; 56% agreed, 44% disagreed.<ref name="Giertych opinion poll" />
* "''Homosexual propaganda needs to be limited, so children will not have an improper perspective on the family.''" &ndash; 56% agreed, 44% disagreed.<ref name="Giertych opinion poll" />
* "''Homosexuality is a deviation, we cannot promote as a normal relationship one between persons of the same sex in teaching young people, because objectively they are deviations from the natural law.''" &ndash; 44% agreed, 52% disagreed.<ref name="Giertych opinion poll" />
* "''Homosexuality is a deviation, we cannot promote as a normal relationship one between persons of the same sex in teaching young people, because objectively they are deviations from the natural law.''" &ndash; 44% agreed, 52% disagreed.<ref name="Giertych opinion poll" />


=== Lech Wałęsa ===
===Civic Platform===
In 2013, former [[President of Poland|President]] and [[Nobel prize]] winner [[Lech Wałęsa]] said that gay MPs should sit at the back of the parliament or even behind a wall and should not have important positions in Parliament. He also said that pride parades should not take place in the city centres, but in the suburbs of cities. The former President also stated that minorities should not impose themselves upon the majority. Wałęsa could not have been accused of inciting to hatred because the Polish penal code doesn't include inciting to hatred against sexual orientation.<ref name="Huffington Post Lech Walesa">{{cite news | url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/03/lech-walesa-shocks-poland_n_2802860.html | title=Lech Walesa Shocks Poland With Anti-Gay Words | work=Huffington Post | date=3 March 2013 | agency=AP | accessdate=14 July 2014 | author=Gera, Vanessa | location=Warsaw, Poland}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.thenews.pl/1/9/Artykul/129908,Walesa-escapes-hate-crime-charge-after-antigay-tirade | title=Walesa escapes hate crime charge after anti-gay tirade | work=Polskie Radio dla Zagranicy | date=13 March 2013 | accessdate=14 July 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.ilga-europe.org/home/guide_europe/country_by_country/poland/poland_lech_walesa_gays_should_be_made_to_sit_at_the_back_in_parliament | title=Poland: Lech Walesa – 'Gays should be made to sit at the back in parliament' | publisher=ILGA Europe | work=Thenews.pl | date=4 March 2013 | accessdate=14 July 2014 | deadurl=yes | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715013200/http://www.ilga-europe.org/home/guide_europe/country_by_country/poland/poland_lech_walesa_gays_should_be_made_to_sit_at_the_back_in_parliament | archivedate=15 July 2014 | df=dmy-all }}</ref>


In February 2019, [[List of mayors of Warsaw|Mayor]] [[Rafał Trzaskowski]], member of the Civic Platform, signed a 12-point LGBT declaration. Proposed actions range from providing shelter to LGBT teenagers rejected by their families, the introduction of local crisis intervention helplines, and providing access to anti-discrimination and sex education at city schools.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gaystarnews.com/article/mayor-of-warsaw-becomes-first-to-protect-rights-of-lgbti-people-in-poland/|title=Mayor of Warsaw becomes first to protect rights of LGBTI people in Poland|date=27 February 2019|website=Gay Star News|access-date=10 June 2019|archive-date=13 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210113184042/https://www.gaystarnews.com/article/mayor-of-warsaw-becomes-first-to-protect-rights-of-lgbti-people-in-poland/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.um.warszawa.pl/en/Highlights/mayor-warsaw-signs-lgbt-declaration|title=Mayor of Warsaw signs the LGBT+ Declaration {{!}} Warszawa - oficjalny portal stolicy Polski|last=Warszawy|first=Urząd m st|website=www.um.warszawa.pl|language=en|access-date=2019-07-30}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://kafkadesk.org/2019/02/20/warsaw-mayor-pledges-support-to-polands-lgbt-community/|title=Warsaw mayor pledges support to Poland's LGBT community|last=Kafkadesk|date=20 February 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://wiadomosci.gazeta.pl/wiadomosci/7,114884,24468442,rafal-trzaskowski-podpisal-warszawska-deklaracje-lgbt-w-dokumencie.html|title=Rafał Trzaskowski podpisał Warszawską Deklarację LGBT+. W dokumencie znalazło się pięć punktów|website=gazetapl|date=18 February 2019 }}</ref>
== LGBT movement ==
[[File:LGBT flag map of Poland.svg|thumb|right|250px|LGBT flag map of Poland ]]
[[File:POL warsaw parada rownosci 025.jpg|thumb|250px|[[Parada Równości]] in 2007]]
[[File:Plac Zbawiciela w Warszawie 014.JPG|thumb|250px|[[Tęcza (Warsaw)|Tęcza]], artistic construction in the form of rainbow made of flowers, [[Savior Square]], [[Warsaw]]]]
[[File:Anti Gay Sticker-Narodowe Odrodzenie Polski.jpg|thumb|250px|An anti-gay sticker from a [[nationalism|nationalist]] Polish organisation.]]
[[File:Warszawa.ParadaRówności2006.5600.jpg|thumb|250px|Anti-gay protesters at the Warsaw [[Parada Równości]] in 2006.]]


=== Parada Równości ===
===Your Movement===
[[Your Movement]] supports LGBT rights, including same-sex marriage and civil unions. A prominent party member is a gay activist, former member of the Sejm (2011–2014) and former Mayor of [[Słupsk]] (2014–2018) [[Robert Biedroń]]. He has been described as a young, rising political star in Poland, and is viewed as a frontrunner for the presidency. Former President [[Aleksander Kwasniewski]] has urged him to run for president in [[2020 Polish presidential election|2020]]. Opinion polls currently put him in third place, behind [[Andrzej Duda]] and [[Donald Tusk]].<ref name=bbc/>
{{Main|Parada Równości}}
The largest aspect of [[LGBT movement]] in Poland is the [[Parada Równości|equality parade]] held in Warsaw every year since 2001.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://gosc.pl/doc/919391.Parada-Rownosci-to-propaganda-rozpusty | title="Parada Równości" to propaganda rozpusty | work=Gość Niedzielny | date=10 August 2011 | agency=Katolicka Agencja Informacyjna (KAI) | accessdate=15 July 2014|language=pl}}</ref>


Biedroń has spoken of significant societal change towards homosexuality and LGBT people. He had occasionally been publicly beaten on the streets and insulted, but said in 2018 that residents now smile and greet him. As a mayor, Biedroń marries local couples. "I’m extremely jealous because I see their happiness. I’m 15 years with my partner and it’s still a dream. It’s not fair that in 2018 two adults cannot get married if they love each other and are committed to each other.", he said.<ref name=bbc>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-44209480|title=The gay mayor shaking up politics in Catholic Poland|first=Adam|last=Easton|work=BBC News|date=28 May 2018}}</ref>
In 2004 and 2005 Warsaw officials denied permission to organize it, because of various reasons including the likelihood of counter-demonstrations, interference with religious or national holidays, and the lack of a permit.<ref name="Townley">{{cite web|url=http://www.gay.com/news/article.html?date=2005/05/20/4&navpath=/channels/pride/ |publisher=Gay,com |date=20 May 2005 |title=Polish capital bans Pride again |last=Townley |first=Ben |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070313155353/http://www.gay.com/news/article.html?date=2005%2F05%2F20%2F4&navpath=%2Fchannels%2Fpride%2F |archivedate=13 March 2007 |deadurl=yes |df= }}</ref> Despite this, about 2,500 people marched illegally on 11 June 2005. Ten people were arrested. The ban has been declared illegal by the [[Bączkowski v Poland]] ruling of the [[European Court of Human Rights]] in 2007.<ref name="kaka">{{cite web|author=(kaka) |url=http://www.poland.pl/news/article,Polish_gay_activists_win_human_rights_case,id,273489.htm |title=News from Poland - Polish gay activists win human rights case |publisher=Web.archive.org |date=2007-05-04 |accessdate=2014-05-07 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120206141723/http://www.poland.pl/news/article%2CPolish_gay_activists_win_human_rights_case%2Cid%2C273489.htm |archivedate= 6 February 2012 |df= }}</ref>


===Spring===
The parade was condemned by the [[Mayor of Warsaw]] [[Lech Kaczyński]], who said that allowing an official pride event in Warsaw would promote a "homosexual lifestyle".<ref name="Gay marchers ignore ban in Warsaw">[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4084324.stm Gay marchers ignore ban in Warsaw], BBC News Online, 11 June 2005</ref>
In February 2019, LGBT activist [[Robert Biedroń]] launched [[Spring (political party)|Spring]], a new progressive political party proposing to introduce [[civil unions|civil partnerships]] for opposite-sex and same-sex couples, and the legalisation of [[same-sex marriage]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.voanews.com/a/spring-a-new-political-party-in-poland/4771283.html|title=Progressive Politician Seeks Polish 'Spring' with New Party|work=VOA News|date=3 February 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tvn24.pl/wiadomosci-z-kraju,3/partia-wiosna-roberta-biedronia-glowne-postulaty,906236.html|title=Plan partii Biedronia w punktach|work=tvn24.pl|date=3 February 2019|language=pl}}</ref> As of August 2019, the party has three MEPs. The party is now a member of the [[New Left (Poland)|New Left]] coalition, which currently serves in government.


==="LGBT-free zones"===
The "Parada Równości" events have continued regularly since 2006, attracting [[Parada Równości#History|crowds]] of less than 10,000 every year, until 2015 when parade attracted 18 thousand attendees.<ref name="En.paradarownosci.eu">{{cite web |url=http://en.paradarownosci.eu/a-brief-history-of-equality-parade |title=A brief history of Equality Parade &#124; Equality Parade |publisher=En.paradarownosci.eu |date= |accessdate=2014-05-09 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140508042731/http://en.paradarownosci.eu/a-brief-history-of-equality-parade |archivedate=8 May 2014 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title = Parada Równości 2015, czyli Równe prawa - wspólna sprawa [WIDEO]|url = http://polska.newsweek.pl/parada-rownosci-2015-srodowiska-lgbt-w-warszawie,film,364999.html|website = Newsweek.pl|access-date = 2016-02-01|language = pl-PL}}</ref>
{{main|LGBT-free zone}}
[[File:LGBT Free Zones Poland 2020.png|thumb|Map of Poland, LGBT-free zones declared ({{as of|2020|January|lc=y}}) on a [[voivodeship]], [[powiat]] or [[gmina]] level marked in red.<ref name="Wapo20190719"/><ref name="Wyborcza20190719">[http://krakow.wyborcza.pl/krakow/7,44425,25008005,krakowski-magistrat-odpowiada-na-homofobiczny-akt-gazety-polskiej.html The Krakow municipality responds to the homophobic act of "Gazeta Polska"], [[Gazeta Wyborcza]] (Krakow), 19 July 2019</ref><ref name="onet20190723">{{cite web|url=https://lublin.onet.pl/gdzie-w-polsce-przyjeto-uchwaly-przeciw-ideologii-lgbt/9c83glx|title=Gdzie w Polsce przyjęto uchwały przeciw "ideologii LGBT"?|trans-title=Where in Poland were the resolutions adopted against "LGBT ideology"?|language=pl|publisher=ONET|date=23 July 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/poland/2019-08-07/new-threat-polands-sexual-minorities|title=The New Threat to Poland's Sexual Minorities|last=Figlerowicz|first=Marta|journal=Foreign Affairs: An American Quarterly Review|date=August 9, 2019|access-date=August 19, 2019|language=en-US|issn=0015-7120}}</ref>]]
While ahead of the [[2015 Polish parliamentary election]], the ruling [[Law and Justice (Poland)|Law and Justice]] (PiS) party took an anti-migrant stance, in the run-up to the [[2019 Polish parliamentary election]] the party has focused on countering Western "LGBT ideology".<ref name="Wapo20190719"/> Several Polish municipalities and four Voivodeships made so-called "[[LGBT-free zone]]" declarations, partly in response to the signing of a declaration in support of LGBT rights by Warsaw Mayor [[Rafał Trzaskowski]].<ref name="Wapo20190719">[https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/polands-right-wing-ruling-party-has-found-a-new-targetlgbt-ideology/2019/07/19/775f25c6-a4ad-11e9-a767-d7ab84aef3e9_story.html?noredirect=on Polish towns advocate ‘LGBT-free’ zones while the ruling party cheers them on], Washington Post, 21 July 2019, [https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/poland-lgbt-free-zones-homophobia-hate-speech-law-justice-party-a9013551.html reprint at Independent]</ref><ref name="Telegraph20190809">{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/08/09/lgbtq-activists-poland-battle-growing-hostility-countrys-powerful/|title=Polish ruling party whips up LGBTQ hatred ahead of elections amid 'gay-free' zones and Pride march attacks|work=The Telegraph|first=Peter|last=Foster|date=9 August 2019|access-date=14 January 2023}}</ref> While only symbolic, the declared zones signal exclusion of the LGBT community. The right wing ''[[Gazeta Polska]]'' newspaper issued "LGBT-free zone" stickers to readers.<ref>[https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-49037275 Polish newspaper to issue 'LGBT-free zone' stickers], BBC, 18 July 2019</ref> The Polish opposition and diplomats, including US Ambassador to Poland [[Georgette Mosbacher]], condemned the stickers.<ref name="NYT20190727">{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/27/world/europe/gay-pride-march-poland-violence.html|title=Anti-Gay Brutality in a Polish Town Blamed on Poisonous Propaganda|work=The New York Times|first1=Marc|last1=Santora|first2=Joanna|last2=Berendt|date=27 July 2019|access-date=13 January 2023}}</ref><ref name="Reuters20190724">[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-poland-lgbt/conservative-polish-magazine-issues-lgbt-free-zone-stickers-idUSKCN1UJ0HE Conservative Polish magazine issues 'LGBT-free zone' stickers], Reuters, 24 July 2019</ref> The Warsaw District Court ordered that distribution of the stickers should halt pending the resolution of a court case.<ref name="HRW20190801">[https://www.hrw.org/news/2019/08/01/polish-court-rebukes-lgbt-free-zone-stickers Polish Court Rebukes “LGBT-Free Zone” Stickers], HRW, 1 August 2019</ref> However, Gazeta's editor dismissed the ruling saying it was "fake news" and censorship, and that the paper would continue distributing the sticker.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.politico.eu/article/lgbt-rights-polish-paper-dismisses-court-ruling-on-lgbt-free-zone-stickers/|title=Polish magazine dismisses court ruling on 'LGBT-free zone' stickers|work=Politico|first=Zosia|last=Wanat|date=26 July 2019|access-date=14 January 2023}}</ref> Gazeta continued with the distribution of the stickers, but modified the decal to read "LGBT Ideology-Free Zone".<ref name="HRW20190801"/>


In August 2019, LGBT community members stated that they feel unsafe in Poland. The [[All Out (organisation)|All Out]] organization launched a campaign to counter the attacks. Some 10,000 people signed a petition shortly after the campaign launch.<ref name="euronews20190808">[https://www.euronews.com/2019/08/08/activists-warn-poland-s-lgbt-community-is-under-attack-the-cube?PageSpeed=noscript Activists warn Poland’s LGBT community is 'under attack'], Euronews, 8 August 2019</ref>
==== Public opinion ====
The people of Warsaw are divided on the subject, but there was never a majority for the parade.<ref name="parada rownosci g.w.">{{cite news | url=http://wyborcza.pl/1,76842,7435104,Europride___test_dla_warszawiakow.html | title=Europride - test dla warszawiaków | work=Gazeta Wyborcza | date=9 January 2010 | accessdate=15 July 2014 | author=Dubrowska, Magdalena|language=pl}}</ref> The most recent opinion poll, conducted by PBS for [[Gazeta Wyborcza]], shows that 45% of Warsaw supports the parade.<ref name="parada rownosci g.w." />


During the coronavirus pandemic in April 2020, several LGBT activists began handing out rainbow facemasks in Gdańsk, Gdynia and Sopot, as a direct protest of the "LGBT-free zones".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.starobserver.com.au/news/international-news-news/polish-couple-hand-out-rainbow-masks-to-fight-countrys-lgbtq-free-zones/194486|title=Polish Couple Hand Out Rainbow Masks To Fight Country's LGBTQI Free Zones|work=Star Observer|date=20 April 2020}}</ref>
In 2005, 33% were for the organisation of the "Parada Równości", in 2008, that figure fell to 25%.<ref name="parada rownosci g.w." />


In July 2020, the town council of [[Nieuwegein]], a Dutch city south of [[Utrecht]], voted to end its friendship with [[Puławy]] in eastern Poland, citing "gay free zones" as the reason.<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/profile/daniel-boffey Boffey, Daniel]. (16 July 2020). [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jul/16/dutch-city-ends-ties-with-polish-twin-declared-gay-free-zone-nieuwegein-pulawy 'Dutch town ends ties with Polish twin declared "gay-free zone"']. [[The Guardian]]. United Kingdom.</ref>
=== Tęcza ===
{{main|Tęcza (Warsaw)}}
The [[Tęcza (Warsaw)|Warsaw rainbow]] was an artistic construction in the form of a giant rainbow made of artificial flowers, designed by Polish artist [[Julita Wójcik]], located on [[Savior Square|St. Saviour Square]] in the Polish capital of [[Warsaw]] since summer 2012.


Since July 2020, the [[European Union]] has started denying funds to municipalities that adopted "LGBT-free" declarations.<ref>{{cite news |last1=James |first1=Frater |last2=Kolirin |first2=Lianne |date=31 July 2020 |title=EU blocks funding for six towns that declared themselves 'LGBT-Free Zones' |work=CNN |url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/31/europe/poland-lgbt-eu-funding-intl/index.html |access-date=2020-07-31}}</ref>
As the [[Rainbow (symbol)|rainbow symbol]] is also [[Rainbow flag (LGBT movement)|associated with the LGBT movement]], locating the Tęcza in the Savior Square in Warsaw has proved controversial.<ref name="wp">{{cite news | url=http://wiadomosci.wp.pl/kat,124398,title,Julita-Wojcik-autorka-Teczy-Tecza-zwlaszcza-ta-spalona-ma-byc-symbolem-opamietania,wid,16162581,wiadomosc.html?ticaid=113169 | title=Julita Wójcik, autorka "Tęczy": Tęcza, zwłaszcza ta spalona, ma być symbolem opamiętania | work=wp.pl | date=12 November 2013 | accessdate=15 July 2014 | author=Kalocińska, Anna|language=pl}}</ref><ref name="onet">{{cite news | url=http://wiadomosci.onet.pl/warszawa/jest-reakcja-wlasciciela-teczy-agresja-zuli/cxc41 | title=Jest reakcja właściciela tęczy. "Agresja żuli" | work=Onet | date=13 November 2013 | accessdate=15 July 2014 | author=Halicki, Piotr | location=Warsaw, Poland|language=pl}}</ref> It has been damaged five times as of November 2013, with the usual method of vandalism being [[arson]].<ref name="polityka">{{cite news | url=http://www.polityka.pl/tygodnikpolityka/kraj/1561859,1,polityczna-historia-teczy-z-placu-zbawiciela.read | title=Polityczna historia tęczy z Placu Zbawiciela: Tęcza na miarę naszych możliwości | work=Polityka | date=19 November 2013 | accessdate=15 July 2014 | author=Sowa, Agnieszka|language=pl}}</ref> The installation was damaged on 13 September 2012, 1 January 2013 (this one was ruled to be an accidental fireworks damage), 4 January 2013, July 2013 and once again during marches on [[Polish Independence Day]] on 11 November 2013.<ref name=polityka/> The November 2013 incident occurred in the background of a wider demonstration by right-wing activists, who clashed with police and vandalized other parts of the city as well, also attacking the [[Russian embassy in Poland|Warsaw's Russian embassy]].<ref name=polityka/>


In September 2020, ambassadors from 50 countries stationed in Poland published an open letter "[paying] tribute to the hard work of LGBTI and other communities in Poland and around the world" and calling to "end discrimination in particular on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity".<ref>{{Cite press release |title=Open Letter |date=2020-09-27 |location=Poland |url=https://pl.usembassy.gov/open_letter/}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2020-09-28 |title=Poland LGBT: Diplomats from 50 countries call for end to discrimination |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-54317902 |access-date=2021-10-13}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2020-09-28 |title=Ambassadors appeal for acceptance of LGBT people in Poland |language=en |work=Independent |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/ambassadors-appeal-acceptance-lgbt-people-poland-lgbt-community-people-country-countries-support-b667995.html |access-date=2021-10-13}}</ref> Polish Prime Minister [[Mateusz Morawiecki]] rejected the call, saying that "tolerance belongs to Polish DNA... Nobody needs to teach us tolerance, because we are a nation that has learned such tolerance for centuries", while senior politician [[Joachim Brudzinski]] [[Twitter|tweeted]] that "we are waiting with hope for the next letter, this time in defense of murdered Christians, imprisoned #ProLife activists, people dismissed from work and persecuted for quoting the Bible, [and] people subjected to euthanasia against their will."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Gera |first=Vanessa |date=2020-09-28 |title=Poland rejects international criticism over LGBT rights |language=en |work=ABC News |url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/ambassadors-appeal-acceptance-lgbt-people-poland-73286272 |access-date=2021-10-13}}</ref>
The installation has been criticized by conservative and right-wing figures. [[Law and Justice]] politician [[Bartosz Kownacki]] derogatorily called the installation a "faggot rainbow" (''pedalska tęcza'').<ref name=wp/><ref name="regionalna">{{cite news | url=http://regionalna.tvp.pl/13020899/pedalska-tecza-kownacki-podtrzymuje-swoje-slowa | title="PEDALSKA TĘCZA". KOWNACKI PODTRZYMUJE SWOJE SŁOWA | work=TVP Regionalna | date=15 November 2013 | accessdate=15 July 2014 | author=Przybyszewski, R|language=pl}}</ref> Another Law and Justice politician, [[Stanisław Pięta]], complained that this "hideous rainbow had hurt the feelings of believers" (attending the nearby [[Church of the Holiest Saviour]]).<ref name="econ">{{cite news | url=https://www.economist.com/blogs/easternapproaches/2013/11/poland | title=Poland: Burning the rainbow | work=The Economist | date=18 November 2013 | accessdate=15 July 2014 | author=N., L. | location=Poland}}</ref> Priest [[Tadeusz Rydzyk]] of [[Radio Maryja]] fame, described it as a "symbol of deviancy".<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.fakt.pl/rydzyk-o-teczy-symbole-zboczen-nie-powinny-byc-tolerowane,artykuly,428991,1.html | title=Rydzyk o tęczy: Symbole zboczeń nie powinny być tolerowane | work=Fakt | date=14 November 2013 | agency=wyborcza.pl | accessdate=15 July 2014|language=pl}}</ref>


According to a December 2020 report by the [[Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights]], "Far from being merely words on paper, these declarations and charters directly impact the lives of LGBTI people in Poland."<ref name="December 2020">[https://rm.coe.int/memorandum-on-the-stigmatisation-of-lgbti-people-in-poland/1680a08b8e Memorandum on the stigmatisation of LGBTI people in Poland] 3 December 2020</ref>
Following the November 2013 incident, reconstruction of the Tęcza has garnered support from left-wing and liberal groups<ref name=polityka/><ref name=econ/> [[President of Warsaw]], [[Hanna Gronkiewicz-Waltz]] from the [[Civic Platform]], declared that the installation "will be rebuilt as many times as necessary".<ref name=econ/><ref>{{cite news | url=http://tvnwarszawa.tvn24.pl/informacje,news,odbuduja-tecze-ile-razy-trzeba-bedzie-tyle-razy-bedziemy,105310.html | title=Odbudują tęczę. "Ile razy trzeba będzie, tyle razy będziemy" | work=TVN Warszawa | date=12 November 2013 | agency=TVN | accessdate=15 July 2014|language=pl}}</ref> Several Polish celebrity figures have endorsed the installation, such as [[Edyta Górniak]], [[Katarzyna Zielińska]], [[Monika Olejnik]] and [[Michał Piróg]]; it has also been endorsed by the Swedish ambassador to Poland and LGBT activist [[Staffan Herrström]].<ref name=polityka/>


==LGBT movement and activism==
In the end of August 2015 the installation was permanently removed.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.polityka.pl/tygodnikpolityka/kraj/1630995,1,juz-dzisiaj-rozpocznie-sie-demontaz-teczy-z-placu-zbawiciela.read|title=Znikająca tęcza|work=Polityka|agency=Polityka|accessdate=2017-01-18|language=pl}}</ref>
[[File:POL warsaw parada rownosci 025.jpg|thumb|[[Parada Równości]] in 2007]]
[[File:Warszawa.ParadaRówności2006.5600.jpg|thumb|Anti-gay protesters at the Warsaw [[Parada Równości]] in 2006]]
[[File:"Marsz Równości" 0227, Das Queer Mai Festival 2018, die Kultur der LGBTQI in Krakau, Marsch der Gleichheit am 19. Mai 2018.jpg|thumb|right|The 2018 [[Equality March in Kraków|Kraków Pride parade]]]]

===Equality marches===
{{Main|Equality marches in Poland}}
The largest aspect of the [[LGBTQ movements|LGBT movement]] in Poland is the [[Parada Równości|equality parade]] held in [[Warsaw]] every year since 2001.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://gosc.pl/doc/919391.Parada-Rownosci-to-propaganda-rozpusty | title="Parada Równości" to propaganda rozpusty | work=Gość Niedzielny | date=10 August 2011 | agency=Katolicka Agencja Informacyjna (KAI) | access-date=15 July 2014|language=pl}}</ref>

In 2004 and 2005, Warsaw officials denied permission to organize it, because of various reasons including the likelihood of counter-demonstrations, interference with religious or national holidays, and the lack of a permit.<ref name="Townley">{{cite web|url=http://www.gay.com/news/article.html?date=2005/05/20/4&navpath=/channels/pride/ |publisher=Gay.com |date=20 May 2005 |title=Polish capital bans Pride again |last=Townley |first=Ben |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070313155353/http://www.gay.com/news/article.html?date=2005%2F05%2F20%2F4&navpath=%2Fchannels%2Fpride%2F |archive-date=13 March 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Despite this, about 2,500 people marched illegally on 11 June 2005. Ten people were arrested. The ban has been declared illegal by the ''[[Bączkowski v Poland]]'' ruling of the [[European Court of Human Rights]] in 2007.<ref name="kaka">{{cite web|author=(kaka) |url=http://www.poland.pl/news/article,Polish_gay_activists_win_human_rights_case,id,273489.htm |title=News from Poland - Polish gay activists win human rights case |date=2007-05-04 |access-date=2014-05-07 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120206141723/http://www.poland.pl/news/article%2CPolish_gay_activists_win_human_rights_case%2Cid%2C273489.htm |archive-date= 6 February 2012 }}</ref>

The parade was condemned by the [[Mayor of Warsaw]] [[Lech Kaczyński]], who said that allowing an official pride event in Warsaw would promote a "homosexual lifestyle".<ref name="Gay marchers ignore ban in Warsaw">[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4084324.stm Gay marchers ignore ban in Warsaw], BBC News Online, 11 June 2005</ref>

The Parada Równości events have continued regularly since 2006, attracting [[Parada Równości#History|crowds]] of less than 10,000 every year, until 2015 when the parade attracted 18 thousand attendees.<ref name="En.paradarownosci.eu">{{cite web |url=http://en.paradarownosci.eu/a-brief-history-of-equality-parade |title=A brief history of Equality Parade &#124; Equality Parade |publisher=En.paradarownosci.eu |access-date=2014-05-09 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140508042731/http://en.paradarownosci.eu/a-brief-history-of-equality-parade |archive-date=8 May 2014 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title = Parada Równości 2015, czyli Równe prawa - wspólna sprawa [WIDEO]|url = http://polska.newsweek.pl/parada-rownosci-2015-srodowiska-lgbt-w-warszawie,film,364999.html|website = Newsweek.pl|access-date = 2016-02-01|language = pl-PL|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160202000048/http://polska.newsweek.pl/parada-rownosci-2015-srodowiska-lgbt-w-warszawie,film,364999.html|archive-date = 2 February 2016|url-status = dead|df = dmy-all}}</ref> Since then, attendance has increased dramatically, culminating in the 2018 parade which attracted 45,000 attendees.<ref>{{Cite web |url = https://oko.press/45-tysiecy-osob-w-paradzie-walczymy-o-siebie-o-naszych-przyjaciol-o-nasze-dzieci-relacje-pieknych-uczestnikow-zdjecia/ |title=45 tysięcy osób w Paradzie Równości. "Walczymy o siebie, o naszych przyjaciół, o nasze dzieci". Relacje pięknych uczestników |website = oko.press |access-date = 2018-06-10 |language = pl-PL}}</ref> On 8 June 2019, around 50,000 people marched in the event. [[List of mayors of Warsaw|Mayor]] [[Rafał Trzaskowski]] participated in the event for the first time and said that he wanted [[Warsaw]] to remain "open" and "tolerant."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-poland-lgbt-parade-idUSKCN1T90KP|title=Warsaw pride parade attracts large crowd amid heated political debate|newspaper=Reuters|date=9 June 2019|via=www.reuters.com}}</ref>

In 2005, 33% of the Warsaw population were for the organisation of the Parada Równości. In 2008, that figure fell to 25%.<ref name="parada rownosci g.w." />

A 2010 opinion poll, conducted by PBS for [[Gazeta Wyborcza]], showed that 45% of Warsaw residents supported the parade.<ref name="parada rownosci g.w.">{{cite news | url=http://wyborcza.pl/1,76842,7435104,Europride___test_dla_warszawiakow.html | title=Europride - test dla warszawiaków | work=Gazeta Wyborcza | date=9 January 2010 | access-date=15 July 2014 | author=Dubrowska, Magdalena|language=pl}}</ref>

In recent years, the parade has attracted widespread support from corporations and regional governments. The main partner of the 2018 parade was the regional Government of the [[Masovian Voivodeship]], of which Warsaw is a part.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.paradarownosci.eu/pl/partnerzy/ |title=Partnerzy |website=paradarownosci.eu | access-date = 2018-06-10 |language = pl-PL}}</ref>


=== Public opinion ===
=== Public opinion ===
In a 2014 survey conducted by [[Centre for Public Opinion Research|CBOS]] for Dr. [[Natalia Zimniewicz]], 30% of Poles wanted a ban on public promotion of gay content, and 17.3% would not support that ban, but would want another form of limiting the freedom of promotion of such information.<ref name="2014 gay propaganda opinion poll CBOS Fronda">{{cite web | url=http://www.fronda.pl/a/polowa-polakow-chce-zakazu-promocji-tresci-gejowskich-badanie,40735.html | title=Połowa Polaków chce zakazu promocji treści gejowskich [badanie] | publisher=fronda.pl | work=MaR | date=18 August 2014 | accessdate=20 August 2014|language=pl}}</ref>
In a 2014 survey, conducted by [[Centre for Public Opinion Research|CBOS]] for Dr. Natalia Zimniewicz, 30% of Poles wanted a ban on public promotion of gay content, and 17.3% would not support that ban, but would want another form of limiting the freedom of promotion of such information.<ref name="2014 gay propaganda opinion poll CBOS Fronda">{{cite web | url=http://www.fronda.pl/a/polowa-polakow-chce-zakazu-promocji-tresci-gejowskich-badanie,40735.html | title=Połowa Polaków chce zakazu promocji treści gejowskich [badanie] | publisher=fronda.pl | work=MaR | date=18 August 2014 | access-date=20 August 2014|language=pl}}</ref>


52.5% thought that the current scale of promotion of gay content is excessive, 27.9% thought that pictures of gay parades or practices disgust them, 22.3% think that the media blur the true image of homosexuality and 29.3% thought that gay content is not a private matter of the homosexual community, but affect children and other citizens.<ref name="2014 gay propaganda opinion poll CBOS Fronda" />
52.5% thought that the current scale of promotion of gay content is excessive, 27.9% thought that pictures of gay parades or practices disgust them, 22.3% thought that the media blur the true image of homosexuality and 29.3% thought that gay content is not a private matter of the homosexual community, but affect children and other citizens.<ref name="2014 gay propaganda opinion poll CBOS Fronda" />


==Summary table==
==Summary table==
{{Refimprove section|date=October 2015}}
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
Line 571: Line 661:
|-
|-
| Same-sex sexual activity legal
| Same-sex sexual activity legal
| <center>[[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]]
| style="text-align: center;" | [[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]]
| Since 1932
| Always legal, confirmed since 1932
|-
|-
| Equal age of consent
| Equal age of consent (15)
| <center>[[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]]
| style="text-align: center;" | [[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]]
| Confirmed since 1932
| Since 1932
|-
|-
! colspan="3" | Discrimination laws
! colspan="3" | Discrimination laws
|-
|-
| Anti-discrimination laws in employment
| Anti-discrimination laws in employment
| <center>[[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]]
| style="text-align: center;" | [[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]]
| Since 2003,<ref>{{cite web | url=http://prawo.sejm.gov.pl/isap.nsf/download.xsp/WDU20102541700/T/D20101700L.pdf | title=USTAWA z dnia 3 grudnia 2010 r. o wdrożeniu niektórych przepisów Unii Europejskiej w zakresie równego traktowania | publisher=Kancelaria Sejmu | year=2010 | access-date=2018-02-22 | language=pl | archive-date=5 March 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200305205226/http://prawo.sejm.gov.pl/isap.nsf/download.xsp/WDU20102541700/T/D20101700L.pdf | url-status=dead }}</ref> but not consistently enforced<ref name="Górski" />
| Since 2003
|-
|-
| Anti-discrimination laws in the provision of goods and services
| Anti-discrimination laws in the provision of goods and services
| <center>[[File:X mark.svg|15px|No]]
| style="text-align: center;" | [[File:X mark.svg|15px|No]]
|
|-
| Anti-discrimination laws in education
| style="text-align: center;" | [[Image:X mark.svg|15px|No]]
|
|
|-
|-
| Anti-discrimination laws in all other areas (incl. social security, health care, education, services)
| Anti-discrimination laws in all other areas (incl. indirect discrimination, hate speech)
| <center>[[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]]
| style="text-align: center;" | [[File:X mark.svg|15px|No]]
| Proposed<ref name=ppa>{{Cite web|title=Poland pushes ahead with hardline hate speech law|url=https://unherd.com/newsroom/poland-pushes-ahead-with-hardline-hate-speech-law/|access-date=2024-04-09|website=UnHerd|language=en}}</ref><ref name=ppb>{{Cite web|title=Polish government approves criminalisation of anti-LGBT hate speech |url=https://notesfrompoland.com/2024/11/28/polish-government-approves-criminalisation-of-anti-lgbt-hate-speech/|access-date=2024-11-28|website=NotesFromPoland|language=en}}</ref>
| Since 2011 <ref>{{cite web | url=http://prawo.sejm.gov.pl/isap.nsf/download.xsp/WDU20102541700/T/D20101700L.pdf | title=USTAWA z dnia 3 grudnia 2010 r. o wdrożeniu niektórych przepisów Unii Europejskiej w zakresie równego traktowania | publisher=Kancelaria Sejmu | year=2010 | accessdate=2018-02-22 | language=pl }}</ref>
|-
|-
| Anti-discrimination laws concerning gender identity
| Anti-discrimination laws concerning gender identity
| <center>[[Image:X mark.svg|15px|No]]
| style="text-align: center;" | [[Image:X mark.svg|15px|No]]
|Proposed<ref name=ppa/<ref name=ppb/>
|
|-
| Hate crime laws concerning sexual orientation and gender identity
| style="text-align: center;" | [[Image:X mark.svg|15px|No]]
| Proposed<ref name=ppa/><ref name=ppb/>
|-
|-
! colspan="3" | Same-sex unions
! colspan="3" | Same-sex unions
|-
|-
| Same-sex marriages
| Same-sex marriages
| <center>[[File:X mark.svg|15px|No]]
| style="text-align: center;" | [[File:X mark.svg|15px|No]]
| Since ''[[Coman v. Romania]]'' (2018), EU countries are required to recognize all marriages performed in other EU countries for some residency purposes.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2018-06-05|title=All EU countries must recognise rights of gay spouses, ECJ rules|url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jun/05/eu-countries-recognise-rights-gay-spouses-european-court-of-justice-ecj|access-date=2021-01-07|website=The Guardian|language=en}}</ref> Proposed to recognize Same-sex marriage from abroad.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Ustawa o związkach partnerskich. Bodnar: musimy ją przyjąć, aby mówić o ich uznawaniu|url=https://polskieradio24.pl/artykul/3395241,ustawa-o-zwiazkach-partnerskich-bodnar-musimy-ja-przyjac-aby-mowic-o-ich-uznawaniu|access-date=2024-06-24|website=PolskieRadio|language=pl}}</ref>
| Constitutionally banned since 1997.
|-
|-
| Civil partnerships
| Civil partnerships
| <center>[[File:X mark.svg|15px|No]]
| style="text-align: center;" | [[File:X mark.svg|15px|No]]
| Proposed<ref>{{Cite web|title=After years of legal discrimination, Poland's same-sex couples await civil union law|url=https://www.npr.org/2024/03/06/1234777108/poland-lgbtq-rights-same-sex-civil-unions|access-date=2024-03-06|website=UnHerd|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Warsaw LGBT+ parade attended by government ministers for first time|url=https://notesfrompoland.com/2024/06/17/warsaw-lgbt-parade-attended-by-government-ministers-for-first-time/|access-date=2024-06-17|website=NotesfromPoland|date=17 June 2024 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Bill introducing same-sex civil partnerships in Poland added to government agenda|url=https://notesfrompoland.com/2024/07/09/bill-introducing-same-sex-civil-partnerships-in-poland-added-to-government-agenda/|access-date=2024-06-09|website=NotesfromPoland|language=en}}</ref>
|
|-
|-
|-
| Recognition of same-sex couples
| Recognition of same-sex couples
| <center>[[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]]
| style="text-align: center;" | [[File:X mark.svg|15px|No]]
| <ref>{{Cite web|title=Civil unions and registered partnerships: recognition in different EU countries|url=https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/family/couple/registered-partners/index_en.htm|access-date=2021-01-07|website=Your Europe|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Zarejestrowane związki partnerskie: uznawanie w różnych krajach UE|url=https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/family/couple/registered-partners/index_pl.htm|access-date=2021-01-07|website=Your Europe|language=pl}}</ref>
| (Since 2012 - some entitlements only)
|-
|-
! colspan="3" | Adoption and children
! colspan="3" | Adoption and parenting
|-
|-
| Adoption by individuals
| Adoption by individuals
| <center>[[File:X mark.svg|15px|No]]
| style="text-align: center;" | [[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]]
|Yes{{When?|date=January 2024}}
| <ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.lambdawarszawa.org/publikacje/wydawnictwa/details/5/77/wydawnictwa-0000-00-00-00-00-00?contentbuilder_download_file=f20b000341f9291c3208546ce69b5b8e4675fc1c | title=Praktyczny poradnik pomocowy Stowarzyszenia Lambda Warszawa | publisher=Stowarzyszenie Lambda Warszawa | year=2012 | accessdate=2015-05-28 | language=pl }}{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
|-
|-
| Step-child adoption by same-sex couples
| Stepchild adoption by same-sex couples
| <center>[[File:X mark.svg|15px|No]]
| style="text-align: center;" | [[File:X mark.svg|15px|No]]
|
|
|-
|-
| Joint adoption by same-sex couples
| Joint adoption by same-sex couples
| <center>[[File:X mark.svg|15px|No]]
| style="text-align: center;" | [[File:X mark.svg|15px|No]]
|
|
|-
|-
| Commercial surrogacy for gay male couples
| Commercial surrogacy for gay male couples
| <center>[[File:X mark.svg|15px|No]]
| style="text-align: center;" | [[File:X mark.svg|15px|No]]
| Banned regardless of sexual orientation
|
|-
|-
| Access to IVF for lesbians
| Access to IVF for lesbians
| <center>[[File:X mark.svg|15px|No]]
| style="text-align: center;" | [[File:X mark.svg|15px|No]]
| Available only for women in heterosexual relationships.
| Available only for women in heterosexual relationships
|-
|-
! colspan="3" | Other
! colspan="3" | Other
|-
|Conversion therapy banned
| style="text-align: center;" | [[Image:X mark.svg|15px|No]]
|
|-
|-
| Lesbians, gays and bisexuals allowed to serve openly in the military
| Lesbians, gays and bisexuals allowed to serve openly in the military
| <center>[[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]]
| style="text-align: center;" | [[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]]
| {{When|date=July 2017}}
|{{When?|date=January 2024}}
|-
|-
| Right to change legal gender
| Right to change legal gender
| <center>[[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]]
| style="text-align: center;" | [[Image:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]]/[[Image:X mark.svg|15px|No]]
| Since 1995. Birth certificates are immutable. Instead, an addendum is appended in the birth certificate wrt. the sex change court order and legal name change.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Beker |first1=Dorota |title=Sprawy urzędowe związane z korektą płci mogłyby przebiegać sprawniej. |url=https://serwisy.gazetaprawna.pl/samorzad/artykuly/8369969,korekta-plci-prawo-procedury-urzad-stanu-cywilnego.html |access-date=16 May 2023 |agency=Gazeta Prawna |publisher=Infor Biznes}}</ref> Proposed to faster change <ref>{{Cite web|title=Lewica chce rozmów wokół projektu ustawy o uzgodnieniu płci|url=https://www.gazetaprawna.pl/wiadomosci/kraj/artykuly/9486708,lewica-chce-rozmow-wokol-projektu-ustawy-o-uzgodnieniu-plci.html|access-date=2024-03-13|website=DziennikGazetaPrawna|language=pl}}</ref>
| Since 1983
|-
|-
| [[Men who have sex with men|MSM]]s allowed to donate blood
| [[Men who have sex with men|MSM]]s allowed to donate blood
| <center>[[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]]
| style="text-align: center;" | [[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]]
| Since 2005
| Since 2005<ref name="blood"/>
|}
|}


==See also==
==See also==
{{Portal|LGBT|Human rights|Poland}}
{{Portal|LGBTQ|Poland}}
*[[Homofonia]]
*[[Recognition of same-sex unions in Poland]]
*[[Human rights in Poland]]
*[[Human rights in Poland]]
*[[Politics of Poland]]
*[[LGBTQ history in Poland]]
*[[Religion in Poland]]
*[[LGBTQ rights in Europe]]
*[[LGBT rights in Europe]]
*[[LGBTQ rights in the European Union]]
*[[List of LGBTQ politicians in Poland]]


==References==
==References==
Line 659: Line 763:


===Bibliography===
===Bibliography===
Karczewski, Kamil. (2022). Transnational Flows of Knowledge and the Legalisation of Homosexuality in Interwar Poland. ''Contemporary European History,'' 1-18. doi:10.1017/S0960777322000108
{{Refbegin}}

Karczewski, Kamil. (2022). “Call Me by My Name:” A “Strange and Incomprehensible” Passion in the Polish Kresy of the 1920s. ''Slavic Review,'' ''81''(3), 631-652. doi:10.1017/slr.2022.224{{Refbegin}}
Tatchell, Peter. (1992). ''Europe in the pink: lesbian & gay equality in the new Europe.'' GMP. {{ISBN|978-0-85449-158-2}}
Tatchell, Peter. (1992). ''Europe in the pink: lesbian & gay equality in the new Europe.'' GMP. {{ISBN|978-0-85449-158-2}}
{{Refend}}
{{Refend}}
Line 665: Line 771:
==External links==
==External links==
{{Commons category|LGBT in Poland}}
{{Commons category|LGBT in Poland}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20061128090048/http://web.amnesty.org/library/Index/ENGEUR010192006?open&of=ENG-POL Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Rights in Poland and Latvia], Amnesty International, 15 November 2006
* {{cite web|url=http://web.amnesty.org/library/Index/ENGEUR010192006?open&of=ENG-POL|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061128090048/http://web.amnesty.org/library/Index/ENGEUR010192006?open&of=ENG-POL|url-status=dead|archive-date=28 November 2006|title=Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Rights in Poland and Latvia|work=Amnesty International|date=15 November 2006}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20080512193339/http://www.kampania.org.pl/cms/data/upimages/report_homophobia_Poland_2007_EN.pdf Situation of bisexual and homosexual persons in Poland. 2005 and 2006 report.] – Campaign Against Homophobia, {{ISBN|978-83-924950-2-4}}, Warsaw 2007
* {{cite web|url=http://www.kampania.org.pl/cms/data/upimages/report_homophobia_Poland_2007_EN.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080512193339/http://www.kampania.org.pl/cms/data/upimages/report_homophobia_Poland_2007_EN.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=2008-05-12|title=Situation of bisexual and homosexual persons in Poland. 2005 and 2006 report.|work=Campaign Against Homophobia|isbn=978-83-924950-2-4|location=Warsaw|date=2007|last1=Abramowicz|first1=Marta}}
* {{cite web|url=http://www.rainbow-europe.org/#8653/0/0|title=Rainbow Europe: Poland|work=ILGA-Europe|date=20 February 2024 }}
{{LGBT rights in Europe}}
{{LGBT in Poland}}
{{LGBTQ rights in Europe}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Lgbt Rights In Poland}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Lgbt Rights In Poland}}
[[Category:LGBT rights in Poland| ]]
[[Category:LGBTQ rights in Poland| ]]

Latest revision as of 01:46, 31 December 2024

LGBTQ rights in Poland
Location of Poland (dark green)

– in Europe (light green & dark grey)
– in the European Union (light green)  –  [Legend]

StatusAlways legal in Polish legislation (Russian Empire, Kingdom of Prussia and Austria-Hungary Empire laws criminalizing same-sex intercourse were in force to 1932; German laws criminalizing same-sex intercourse were in force from 1939 to 1945 during Nazi occupation)
Gender identityTransgender people allowed to change legal gender
MilitaryLesbians, gays and bisexuals allowed to serve openly
Discrimination protectionsSexual orientation protections in employment (see below)
Family rights
Recognition of relationshipsLimited cohabitation rights
AdoptionSame-sex couples not allowed to adopt

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people in Poland face legal challenges not experienced by non-LGBTQ residents.[1] According to ILGA-Europe's 2024 report, the status of LGBTQ rights in Poland is the worst among the European Union countries.[2]

Both male and female same-sex sexual activity were decriminalized in 1932, when the country introduced an equal age of consent for homosexuals and heterosexuals, which was set at 15.[3][4] Poland provides LGBTQ people with the same rights as heterosexuals in certain areas: gay and bisexual men are allowed to donate blood, gays and bisexuals are allowed to serve openly in the Polish Armed Forces, and transgender people are allowed to change their legal gender following certain requirements, which include undergoing hormone replacement therapy.[5] Polish law bans employment discrimination based on sexual orientation, although such protections may not be effective in practice.[6] No protections for health services and hate crimes exist.[7] In 2019, the Constitutional Tribunal ruled that the provision of Polish Petty Offence Code, which made it illegal to deny goods and services without "a just cause", was unconstitutional.[8]

Polish society tends to hold conservative views about issues dealing with LGBTQ rights. A majority of the Polish population is affiliated with the Catholic Church, and as such, public perception and acceptance of the LGBTQ community are strongly influenced by Catholic moral doctrines. Article 18 of the Polish Constitution states that "Marriage, as a union of a man and a woman, shall be placed under the protection and care of the Republic of Poland."[9] According to several jurists, this article bans same-sex marriage.[10][11][12][13] The Supreme Court, the Constitutional Tribunal and the Supreme Administrative Court have ruled that Article 18 of the Constitution limits the institution of marriage to opposite-sex couples, and that the legalization of same-sex marriage would require a constitutional amendment.[14][15][16][17][18] Poland does not recognise civil unions either, though discussion on this issue is ongoing. While ahead of the 2015 Polish parliamentary election, the ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party had taken an anti-migrant stance, and in the run-up to the 2019 Polish parliamentary election, PiS focused on countering alleged Western "LGBT ideology".[19] Encouraged by national PiS politicians,[19] by April 2020, 100 municipalities (including five voivodships), encompassing about a third of the country, informally declared themselves "LGBT-free zones".[20] However, on the 6th February 2024 Warsaw Voivodship Administrative Court repealed the last "LGBT-free zone" in Poland.[21]

Acceptance for LGBTQ people in Polish society increased in the 1990s and the early 2000s, mainly amongst younger people and those living in larger cities such as Warsaw and Kraków. There is a visible gay scene with clubs all around the country, most of them located in large urban areas. There are also several gay rights organizations, the two biggest ones being the Campaign Against Homophobia and Lambda Warszawa. Opinion polls on the public perception of LGBTQ rights in Poland have been contradictory, with many showing large support for registered partnerships,[22] and some indicating a majority of opponents.[23] The general trend however is an increase in the support for registered partnerships and same-sex marriage. Many left-wing and liberal political parties, namely the New Left, Labour Union, the Social Democratic Party, Modern, Together and Spring, have expressed support for the gay rights movement. Legalization of same-sex partnerships is also a part of political programme of Civic Coalition and the Third Way for the 2023 parliamentary elections.[24] In November 2023, a same-sex married couple issued Polish courts to rectify the legality of same-sex marriages.[25]

Legality of same-sex sexual activity

[edit]

During the Partitions of Poland (1795–1918) and the German occupation of Poland (1939–1945), laws prohibiting homosexuality were imposed on the territory that makes up the current Polish state.[citation needed]

Following World War I, same-sex activity continued to be formally criminalized in now-independent Poland, because the penal codes of the Russian Empire, the Kingdom of Prussia and the Austria-Hungarian Empire remained in power.[26] They mostly criminalized male same-sex acts, though the Austrian code included broader provisions against so-called "same-sex fornication" and was also used against women.[27][26]

The new Polish Penal Code of 1932 (Kodeks karny) decriminalized consensual same-sex acts.[26][28][29] The decision had already been taken in the early 1920s and represented the success of long-lasting transnational advocacy.[28] Homosexual prostitution remained illegal. According to lawyer Monika Płatek, these provisions were applied very broadly to homosexual couples to prevent them living together; any type of gift or paying for a partner's food, clothing, or lodging could be interpreted as prostitution.[30]

In 1948 during the Polish People's Republic, age of consent was set to 15, equal to that of heterosexual partners.[31][32] Homosexual prostitution was legalized in 1969. Homosexuality was removed from the list of diseases in 1991.

Recognition of same-sex relationships

[edit]

There is no legal recognition of same-sex couples in Poland, though cohabiting same-sex couples do enjoy certain limited benefits, namely in the tenancy of a shared household, the right not to testify against the partner and residency rights under EU law. Same-sex marriage is not recognized, and Article 18 of the Constitution of Poland states that "Marriage, being a union of a man and a woman, as well as the family, motherhood and parenthood, shall be placed under the protection and care of the Republic of Poland."[33] This has led to much debate over whether or not it is a definitive ban on same-sex marriage. A ruling in 2019 from an administrative court concluded that the language in Article 18 does not explicitly ban same-sex marriage.[34] The justification of the ruling regarding the meaning of Article 18 is not binding. The sentence is binding only on the parties in the proceedings. Earlier judgments of the Supreme Court, the Constitutional Tribunal and the Supreme Administrative Court have found the Constitution bans same-sex marriage by defining marriage as a heterosexual-only institution.[14][15][16][17][18]

Historian Kamil Karczewski has documented a homosexual relationship that could be considered the first known case of a same-sex marriage in Poland's history. This union involved Marian Kuleszyński and Stefan Góralski, residents of the Suwałki region in the early 1920s. Although kept secret and devoid of legal recognition, their commitment was founded on loyalty, the presumption of permanence, and a 'friendship for life oath' that included vows never to separate, to defend and support each other, and to maintain the confidentiality of their relationship. This discovery marks a significant milestone in Poland's LGBTQ+ history, offering insights into the complexities of same-sex relationships in earlier times.[35]

A civil union bill was first proposed in 2003. In 2004, under a left-wing Government, the Senate approved the bill allowing gay and lesbian couples to register their relationship. Parties to a civil union under the bill would have been given a great range of benefits, protections and responsibilities (e.g. pension funds, joint tax and death-related benefits), currently granted only to spouses in a marriage, although they would not have been allowed to adopt children. The bill lapsed in the 2005 general election, however.

The major opposition to introducing same-sex marriages or civil unions comes from the Roman Catholic Church, which is influential politically, holding a considerable degree of influence in the state.[36] The Church also enjoys immense social prestige.[37] The Church holds that homosexuality is a deviation.[36] In 2012, the nation was 95% Roman Catholic, with 54% practicing every week.[38]

In January 2013, the Sejm voted to reject five proposed bills that would have introduced civil partnerships for both opposite-sex and same-sex couples.[39] The High Court later issued an opinion stating that the bills proposed by the Democratic Left Alliance, Your Movement and Civic Platform were all unconstitutional, as Article 18 of the Constitution protects marriage.[40] In December 2014, the Sejm refused to deal with a civil partnership bill proposed by Your Movement, with 235 MPs voting against debating the bill, and 185 MPs voting for.[41] In May 2015, the Sejm again refused to deal with the topic, with 215 MPs voting against and only 146 for. Prime Minister Ewa Kopacz said that civil partnerships were an issue for the next Parliament to deal with.[42] A new partnership bill was proposed on 12 February 2018 by the Modern party.[43][44][45]

In June 2018, the European Court of Justice ruled that EU members states must grant married same-sex couples, where at least one partner is an EU citizen, full residency rights and recognise their freedom of movement.[46]

Poland did not implement this ruling, and in July 2020, the European Court of Human Rights notified the Polish government of cases filed by Polish same-sex couples, inviting the Polish government to present its position on the issue (Andersen v. Poland).[47]

During Polish re-elections in September 2023, Donald Tusk proposed recognition for same-sex civil partnerships.[1] Opposition parties won most seats in the parliament and senate, giving hope to the LGBT community that the bill might be approved. But some analysts say that even if the bill is passed, it may still get vetoed by conservative president Andrzej Duda, who previously described the LGBT movement as "a foreign ideology" and comparing it to indoctrination in the Soviet Union.[48][49][50] In November 2023, a Polish same-sex married couple (wed by Germany's marriage law) asked Poland's top court to overturn the nation's ban on same-sex marriage.[25]

Parliament vote on civil unions

[edit]
Sejm vote on civil partnerships
Date On For Against Withheld Result
25 January 2013 Registered partnership[51] 150 276 23 No
25 January 2013 Registered partnership[52] 138 284 28 No
25 January 2013 Registered partnership[53] 137 283 30 No
25 January 2013 Registered partnership[54] 137 283 30 No
25 January 2013 Partnership agreement[55] 211 228 10 No
18 December 2014 Registered partnership 185 235 18 No
26 May 2015 Registered partnership 146 215 24 No

Limited cohabitation rights

[edit]

On 23 February 2007, the Appeals Court in Białystok recognized a same-sex cohabitation.[56] On 6 December 2007, this ruling was confirmed by the Supreme Court of Warsaw.[57]

While Poland possesses no specific law on cohabitation, it does have a few provisions in different legal acts or Supreme Court rulings that recognise relations between unmarried partners and provides said partners specific rights and obligations. For example, Article 115(11) of the Penal Code (Polish: Kodeks karny) uses the term "the closest person", which covers romantic relations that are not legally formalised. The status of "the closest person" gives the right of refusal to testify against the partner. The term "partner" includes same-sex couples.

A resolution of the Supreme Court from 28 November 2012 (III CZP 65/12) on the interpretation of the term "a person who has lived actually in cohabitation with the tenant" was issued with regard to the case of a gay man who was the partner of a deceased person, the main tenant of the apartment. The Court interpreted the law in a way that recognised the surviving partner as authorised to take over the right to tenancy. The Court stated that the person actually remaining in cohabitation with the tenant - in the meaning of Article 691 § 1 of the Civil Code - is a person connected with the tenant by a bond of emotional, physical and economic nature. This also includes a person of the same sex.[58][59] Previously, in March 2010, the European Court of Human Rights ruled, in the case of Kozak v. Poland, that LGBT people have the right to inherit from their partners.[60]

Adoption and parenting

[edit]

Same-sex couples are unable to legally adopt in Poland. Furthermore, lesbian couples do not have access to IVF.

In October 2018, the Supreme Administrative Court ruled that a lesbian couple may register their 4-year-old boy as their child. Polish media described the case as "the first of its kind in Poland".[61]

In July 2020 the President of Poland formally proposed an amendment to the Constitution that would ban adoption by a person in a same-sex relationship.[62]

In November 2020 a law was proposed to only allow married couples to adopt. This would make it impossible for same-sex couples to adopt, due to same-sex marriage not being allowed in Poland. Demonstrations were unable to be held, due to the COVID-19 virus.

In March 2021, the Polish government announced a new law that banned the adoption of children by same-sex couples. The law will also require authorities to vet candidates applying for adoption as a single parent to ensure that they are not cohabitating with someone of the same sex.[63]

Discrimination protections

[edit]

Anti-discrimination provisions were added to the Labour Code (Polish: Kodeks pracy) in 2003. The Polish Constitution guarantees equality in accordance with the law and prohibits discrimination based on "any reason".[33] The proposal to include a prohibition of discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation in the Constitution was rejected in 1995, after strong Catholic Church objections.[64]

In 2007, an anti-discrimination law was under preparation by the Ministry of Labour that would prohibit discrimination on different grounds, including sexual orientation, not only in work and employment, but also in social security and social protection, health care, and education, although the provision of and access to goods and services would only be subject to a prohibition of discrimination on grounds of race or ethnic origin.[65] On 1 January 2011, a new law on equal treatment entered into force. It prohibits sexual orientation discrimination in employment only.[66][67] In September 2015, Amnesty International concluded that "the LGBTI community in Poland faces widespread and ingrained discrimination across the country" and that "Poland's legal system falls dangerously short when it comes to protecting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people and other minority groups from hate crimes".[68]

Between 2015 and 2020, the Polish government has worked to reduce the effectiveness of the anti-discriminatory protections granted to LGBT people under EU law. Examining recent anti-discrimination cases, legal scholar Marcin Górski found that "the principle of equal treatment in Poland appears generally ineffective".[6]

In June 2018, the Polish Supreme Court ruled that a Łódź printer acted illegally when he refused to print banners for an LGBT business group. The court argued that the principle of equality meant the printer did not have the right to withhold services from the business. The court also ruled that sexual orientation, race or other features of a person cannot be the basis for refusal to offer a service, but that freedom of conscience and religion must also be taken into account. The Campaign Against Homophobia welcomed the ruling, but it was condemned by Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro who called the ruling "against freedom" and "state violence in service of the ideology of homosexual activists".[69] Ziobro filed a case with the Constitutional Tribunal to recognize the provision on the basis of which the printer was convicted as unconstitutional. On 26 June 2019, the Tribunal issued a judgment in which it found that the provision was incompatible with the Polish Constitution.[70]

In July 2020 the government of Poland sued IKEA for firing an employee for severe homophobic remarks he made on the company's internal website. Poland's justice minister Zbigniew Ziobro called the dismissal, which was made in accordance with Poland's anti-discrimination laws,[failed verification (See discussion.)] "absolutely scandalous".[71][72]

The Polish ministry of Justice is funding a campaign for "counteracting crimes related to the violation of freedom of conscience committed under the influence of LGBT ideology", which is meant to protect people who "suffer under the pressure of new leftist ideologies".[73]

Hate crime laws

[edit]

As of 2019, a bill is pending in Parliament to provide penalty enhancements if a crime is motivated by the victim's gender, gender identity, age, disability or sexual orientation.[74]

In November 2024, the Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk agreed to legislation which would add sexual orientation, gender, age and disability into the country's existing hate speech laws. The legislation now heads to the Parliament where it must receive a majority of votes to become law.[75]

Gender identity and expression

[edit]

Legal gender changes have been performed since the 1960s.[5] Transgender people seeking to change their legal gender must receive a medical diagnosis. Only after the legal gender has been changed does a transgender individual gain the right to undergo sex reassignment surgery. The reason for this is because any surgery resulting in infertility is prohibited by Polish law (as stated in Polish Penal Code: Kodeks Karny art. 156 §1), with a few exceptions in cases such as uterine cancer or myoma. That is, castration on request is illegal and transgender individual must first seek a legal change, since just a medical diagnosis from a doctor is not enough.

A transgender individual must face a number of obstacles before having their legal gender changed, such as suing their parents. On the basis of offered further evidence (such as a medical diagnosis, medical records, witness/parental statements, etc.) a court may either pass sentence or refuse to do so.

In July 2015, the Polish Sejm approved a transgender recognition bill. Under the bill, transgender people would have been able to change gender without any physical interventions, but would have required statements from mental health experts that they are suffering from gender dysphoria. The bill was approved 252 to 158. The Senate proceeded to approve the bill in August,[76] but President Andrzej Duda vetoed it in October. The Parliament failed to override his veto.[77]

Military service

[edit]

Since the 1990s,[78] lesbian, gay and bisexual people are not banned from military service and discrimination against them is officially forbidden. However, there is an unwritten rule of "don't ask, don't tell" and most gay Polish soldiers conceal their sexual orientation. In 2013, military personnel told NaTemat.pl portal that openly gay personnel would face social difficulty, especially for higher ranks, as for "commanding staff - officers and high-ranking NCOs - admitting to same-sex attraction would mean losing respect - qualities without which you simply cannot be a commander".[79]

Openly transgender people are officially barred from military service on the medical grounds. Diagnosis of gender dysphoria results in being automatically assigned as "permanently and completely unfit for military service, both in the time of conflict and peace".[80]

Conversion therapy

[edit]

In February 2019, Modern MPs alongside Campaign Against Homophobia activists submitted a draft bill to the Sejm to ban gay conversion therapy. The draft bill aims to ban using, promoting or advertising conversion practices. It will also prohibit promoting people or entities that offer, use, advertize or promote the pseudoscientific practice. The MPs plan to introduce the bill to the Polish Parliament where it will have its first reading in the upcoming months.[81][82] Such a ban would implement the recommendation of the European Parliament[83] and United Nations Independent Expert on Protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.[84]

In August 2020, the Polish Episcopal Conference released a document which recommended the creation of counseling centres "to help people who want to regain their sexual health and natural sexual orientation". It insists that the scientific consensus that conversion therapy is ineffective and potentially harmful to be "political correctness".[84]

Blood donation

[edit]

In 2005 the Ministry of Health has changed the laws regarding blood donation, eliminating the "risk groups" that included gay men, and replaced them with "risk behaviours" such as frequent changes in sexual partners, or having sexual relations with a HIV-positive persons. As "risk behaviours" can be performed by a person regardless of gender or sexuality, that ensured legal right for queer people to donate blood as long as they have met other requirements.

Despite that, as late as in August 2007 Regional Blood Donation and Treatment Center in Bydgoszcz (pl.: Regionalne Centrum Krwiodawstwa i Krwiolecznictwa w Bydgoszczy, or RCKiK Bydgoszcz) has included questions about same sex relations among both men and women in their mandatory questionaries, as brought to attention in a letter by Campaign Against Homophobia. In a response letter later the same month RCKiK Bydgoszcz has made a choice to reevaluate their questionaries in favour of more non discriminatory language.[85]

In 2008, the National Blood Center proposed regulations banning blood donation by gay and bisexual men, and addition of a question "Have you, as a man, ever had any sexual relations with another men?" into the mandatory pre-donation questionaries. The proposal was quickly rejected by the Institute of Hematology and Transfusion Medicine.[86]

Social attitudes and public opinion

[edit]

According to Gregory E. Czarnecki, there are some similarities between antisemitism and homophobia in Polish nationalist discourse, especially that both groups are seen as deviant and diseased as well as a threat to the nation.[87][88]

2000–2010

[edit]

A survey from 2005 found that 89% of the population considered homosexuality an unnatural activity. Nevertheless, half believed homosexuality should be tolerated.[89]

An opinion poll conducted in late 2006 at the request of the European Commission indicated that Polish public opinion was overwhelmingly opposed to same-sex marriage and to adoption by same-sex couples. A 2006 Eurobarometer poll found that 74% and 89% of Poles respectively were opposed to same-sex marriage and adoption by same-sex couples. Of the EU member states surveyed, only Latvia and Greece had higher levels of opposition.[90][91] A poll in July 2009 showed that 87% of Poles were against gay adoption.[92] A poll from 23 December 2009 for Newsweek Poland reported another shift towards more positive attitudes. Sixty percent of respondents stated that they would have no objections to having an openly gay minister or a head of government.[93]

A 2008 study revealed that 66% of Poles believed that gay people should not have the right to organize public demonstrations, 69% of Poles believed that gay people should not have the right to show their way of life. Also, 37% of Poles believed that gay people should have the right to engage in sexual activity, with 37% believing they should not.[94]

In 2010, an IIBR opinion poll conducted for Newsweek Poland found that 43% of Poles agreed that openly gay people should be banned from military service. 38% thought that such a ban should not exist in the Polish military.[95]

2011–2020

[edit]

In 2011, according to a poll by TNS Polska, 54% of Poles supported same-sex partnerships, while 27% supported same-sex marriage.[96]

In a 2013 opinion poll conducted by CBOS, 68% of Poles were against gays and lesbians publicly showing their way of life, 65% of Poles were against same-sex civil unions, 72% were against same-sex marriage and 88% were against adoption by same-sex couples.[97]

In a CBOS opinion poll from August 2013, a majority (56%) of respondents stated that "homosexuality is always wrong and can never be justified". 26% stated that there is nothing wrong with it and can always be justified". 12% were indifferent.[98]

A CBOS opinion poll from February 2014 found that 70% of Poles believed that same-sex sexual activity "is morally unacceptable", while only 22% believed it "is morally acceptable".[99]

An Ipsos survey in October 2019 found that a majority of Polish men under 40 believe that "the LGBT movement and gender ideology" is the "biggest threat facing them in the 21st century".[100]

Opinion polls

[edit]
Support for the recognition of same-sex relationships 2001[101] 2002[102] 2003[103] 2005[104] 2008[105] 2010[106] 2011[107] 2013[108] 2017[109] 2019[110] 2022[111]
YES NO YES NO YES NO YES NO YES NO YES NO YES NO YES NO YES NO YES NO YES NO
"registered partnerships" 15% 76% 34% 56% 46% 44% 41% 48% 45% 47% 25% 65% 33% 60% 36% 56% 35% 60% 64% 30%
"same-sex marriages" 24% 69% 22% 72% 18% 76% 16% 78% 25% 65% 26% 68% 30% 64% 29% 66% 48% 42%
"adoption rights" 8% 84% 8% 84% 6% 90% 6% 90% 6% 89% 8% 87% 11% 84% 9% 84% 24% 66%
Support for LGBT parenthood 2014[112]
YES NO
right for a lesbian to parent a child of her female partner 56% 35%
the situation above is morally acceptable 41% 49%
right for a gay (couple) to foster the child of a deceased sibling 52% 39%
the situation above is morally acceptable 38% 53%
Support for the recognition of same-sex relationships, 2012[113] opposite-sex couples same-sex couples
YES NO YES NO
"registered partnerships" 72% 17% 23% 65%
"right to obtain medical information" 86% 68%
"right to inherit" 78% 57%
"rights to common tax accounting" 75% 55%
"right to inherit the pension of a deceased partner" 75% 55%
"right to a refund in vitro treatments" 58% 20%
"right to adopt a child" 65% 16%
Support for the recognition of same-sex relationships 2011[114]
TNS OBOP
2013[115]
Homo Homini
2013[116]
IPSOS
2017[117]
IPSOS
2019[118]
IPSOS
YES NO YES NO YES NO YES NO YES NO
"registered partnerships" 54% 41% 55% 39% 39% 24% 52% 43% 60%
"same-sex marriages" 27% 68% 27% 69% 21% 24% 38% 57% 41%
"adoption rights" 7% 90% 14% 84% 16% 80% 21%
Acceptance of a homosexual as a... (CBOS, July 2005)[119] Gay (Yes) Gay (No) Lesbian (Yes) Lesbian (No)
Neighbour 56% 38% 54% 40%
Co-worker 45% 50% 42% 53%
Boss 41% 53% 42% 53%
MP 37% 57% 38% 56%
Teacher 19% 77% 21% 75%
Childminder 11% 86% 14% 83%
Priest 13% 82%

Public opinion

[edit]
Counter-protest at the 2019 Rzeszów equality march: "a fag's place is under the boot!"

Public opinion on same-sex marriage (2023) based on Pew Research Center[120]

  Strongly favor (13%)
  Somewhat favor (28%)
  Not sure (5%)
  Somewhat oppose (18%)
  Strongly oppose (36%)

A GLOBSEC survey conducted in March 2023 showed that 54% of Poles supported LGBT rights, such as same-sex marriage, while 38% were opposed.[121]

According to Polish respondents to the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights 2019 EU LGBTI survey II:[122]

  • 83% often or always avoid holding hands with their same-sex partner (61% in the EU at large) — second-highest rate in the EU
  • 51% often or always avoid certain locations for fear of being assaulted (33%) — the highest rate in the EU
  • 27% are often or always open about being LGBT (47%)
  • 26% felt discriminated against at work in the past year (21%)
  • 47% felt discriminated against in at least one area of life in the past year (42%)
  • 42% were harassed in the past year (38%)
  • 15% have been attacked in the past 5 years (11%) — the highest rate in the EU
  • 1 in 5 trans and intersex people were physically or sexually attacked in the past five years
  • 19% say that LGBTI prejudice and intolerance has dropped in their country in the last five years (40%); 68% say they have risen (36%)
  • 4% believe that their national government effectively combats prejudice and intolerance against LGBTI people (33%) — the lowest rate in the EU

According to the survey, Poland has the largest gap in the EU between life satisfaction of LGBTI people and the general population.[122]

The 2023 Eurobarometer found that 50% of Polish people thought same-sex marriage should be allowed throughout Europe (45% disagreed), and 55% agreed that "there is nothing wrong in a sexual relationship between two persons of the same sex".[123]

An Ipsos poll in June 2024 have found that 67% of Poles support the right of same-sex couples to marry or legally register their relationship.[124]

A poll conducted in April 2024 by United Surveys showed growing support for recognition of same-sex families in Poland with 50% of respondents supported same-sex marriage and 66% supported same-sex civil partnership. 86% of supporters of the ruling coalition supported same-sex marriage and 97% supported same-sex civil partnership.[125]

Politics

[edit]

The parties on the left of the political scene generally approve of the postulates of the gay rights movement and vote in favour of LGBT legislation. The New Left, Modern, Labor United, and Your Movement, are supporters of LGBT rights. More socially right-wing parties, such as PiS, Confederation, Agreement and PSL, are generally against any changes in legislation. Out of these, PiS takes the strongest oppositional stance on homosexual issues.

While the current the Civic Platform was strongly disapproving towards LGBT legislation when it was the ruling party in Poland in 2007–2015, as of late its leaders have started expressing more favourable stances towards the community.[126][127]

In 2013, former President and Nobel prize winner Lech Wałęsa said that gay MPs should sit at the back of the Parliament or even behind a wall and should not have important positions in Parliament. He also said that pride parades should not take place in the city centres, but in the suburbs of cities. The former president also stated that minorities should not impose themselves upon the majority. Wałęsa could not have been accused of inciting to hatred because the Polish Penal Code does not include inciting to hatred against sexual orientation.[36][128][129]

The Council of Europe has highlighted "homophobic statements by leading public figures, creating an atmosphere of hate and intolerance" since 2007. In December 2020, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović, stated that she was "deeply concerned about the propagation of negative and inflammatory homophobic narratives by many public officials in Poland, including people in the highest ranks of government... Stigmatisation and hate directed at certain individuals or groups of people carry a real risk of legitimising violence, sometimes with fatal consequences."[130][131]

Law and Justice

[edit]

After the 2005 elections, the Law and Justice party (PiS) came to power. They formed a coalition government with the League of Polish Families (LPR) and the Self-Defence Party (Samoobrona). The politicians of these parties have often been labelled as "homophobic" by LGBT rights activists, both before and after the 2005 elections.[132] Prominent government figures have made several homophobic and unscientific comments with regards to homosexuality, and have tried to suppress freedom of speech and freedom of assembly for LGBT people:[132]

"Let's not be misled by the brutal propaganda of homosexuals' postures of tolerance. It is a kind of madness, and for that madness, our rule will indeed be for them a dark night"

— Kazimierz Michał Ujazdowski, PiS, 3 October 2005[132]

"If a person tries to infect others with their homosexuality, then the state must intervene in this violation of freedom."

— Kazimierz Marcinkiewicz, Prime Minister, PiS, 11 May 2006[132]

"If deviants begin to demonstrate, they should be hit with batons."

— Wojciech Wierzejski, LPR, 9 October 2006[132]

On 5 July 2006, Mayor of Warsaw Miroslaw Kochalski stated, in relation to the Parada Równości, that the march was "immoral and a danger to the inhabitants of Warsaw."[132]

On 7 August 2006, Paweł Zyzak, editor in chief of a PiS magazine, Right Turn!, wrote that homosexuals were "animals" and "the emissaries of Satan sent to destroy the Catholic Church".[132]

In the city of Koscierzyna, Waldemar Bonkowski, a leading member of PiS, hung up a banner that read, "Today it’s gays and lesbians – what’s next, zoophilia? Is that liberty and democracy? No, that’s syphilisation! Our Polish pope is looking down from the sky and asking, 'Whither goest thou, Poland?'" on the wall of the local party headquarters.[132]

During the presidential campaign before the 2005 election, Lech Kaczyński, who won the election, stated that he would continue to ban LGBT demonstrations, as he did while Mayor of Warsaw, and that "public promotion of homosexuality will not be allowed".[132]

On 17 March 2008, Kaczyński delivered a presidential address to the nation on public television, in which he described same-sex marriage as an institution contrary to the widely accepted moral order in Poland and the moral beliefs of the majority of the population. The address featured a wedding photograph of an Irish gay rights activist, Brendan Fay and Tom Moulton, which Kaczyński had not sought permission to use. The presidential address outraged left-wing political parties and gay rights activists, who subsequently invited the two to Poland and demanded apologies from the President, which he did not issue.[133]

On 30 August 2006, during a visit to the European Commission, Lech's twin brother, Jarosław Kaczyński, as the Prime Minister of Poland, stated that "people with such preferences have full rights in Poland, there is no tradition in Poland of persecuting such people". He also asked the President of the European Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso "not to believe in the myth of Poland as an anti-Semitic, homophobic and xenophobic country".[132]

Jarosław Kaczyński has been less harsh in his descriptions of homosexuality. In one interview, he stated that he had always been "in favour of tolerance" and that "the issue of intolerance towards gay people had never been a Polish problem". He said he did not recall gays being persecuted in the Polish People's Republic more severely than other minority groups and acknowledged that many eminent Polish celebrities and public figures of that era were widely known to be homosexual. Jarosław Kaczyński also remarked that there are a lot of gay clubs in Poland and that there is a substantial amount of gay press and literature.[134] In another interview abroad, he invited the interviewer to Warsaw to visit one of the many gay clubs in the capital. He also confirmed that there are some homosexuals in his own party, but said they would rather not open their private lives to the public. This was also confirmed by the Member of the European Parliament from PiS, Tadeusz Cymański.

In a 2009 interview for Gazeta Wyborcza, former Polish Prime Minister Kazimierz Marcinkiewicz stated that his opinion about homosexual people changed when he met a Polish gay emigrant in London. The man stated that he "fled from Poland because he was gay and would not have freedom in his country". Marcinkiewicz concluded that he would not want anyone to flee from Poland.[135]

In a 2015 interview, President-elect, Andrzej Duda, originally from the PiS party, was asked if he would hire a homosexual. He answered that he would not care about personal relationships, as long as the person who was to be hired was not running around half-naked.[136] Andrzej Duda also stated that "matters that are vital for society are not dealt with while others, undoubtedly connected with the leftist ideology, are being pushed forward. They are, in my view, destroying the traditional family which, since the dawn of mankind, has assured its development and endurance."[136]

In November 2018, it was reported that President Andrzej Duda would support a ban on "homosexual propaganda", based on the Russian gay propaganda law. He said: "I think that this kind of propaganda should not take place in schools, it has to be calmly and consistently opposed", and that "[i]f such a law was created and would be well written, I do not exclude that I would approach it seriously." Such a law would violate the Polish Constitution and the European Convention on Human Rights.[137][138]

In November 2018, following government pressure and threats, more than 200 schools cancelled a planned anti-bullying campaign called "Rainbow Friday", which the Campaign Against Homophobia had promoted in hopes of building greater acceptance for LGBT students in Poland and fighting hatred and homophobia in schools. The Minister of Education, Anna Zalewska, had warned that any principals who allowed such events to take place could face negative consequences. She also asked parents to report any such activities to authorities,[139][140] however it was reported that many students defied the ban and turned up to school in rainbow colors regardless, and that many schools also refused to comply with the warnings.[141]

In April 2019, Conservative party chairman Jarosław Kaczyński called the LGBT rights movement a "foreign imported threat to the nation". During a lecture on patriotism, Kaczynski also said "everyone must accept Christianity".[142][143] That same month, after an activist displayed posters of the Black Madonna with a rainbow halo, Interior Minister Joachim Brudzinski denounced the posters as "cultural barbarism". The activist was subsequently arrested by the police on charges of "offending religious feelings". Amnesty International condemned the arrest as "just another example of the constant harassment" and said that the activist "now faces up to two years in prison if found guilty under these absurd charges".[144]

In June 2019, the newly appointed Minister of National Education, Dariusz Piontkowski, criticised an LGBT rights declaration that Mayor of Warsaw Rafał Trzaskowski had signed, saying that it was "an attempt to sexualize children by force" and "raise children who will be given away to pedophiles at some point".[145][146][147][148]

League of Polish Families

[edit]

In the 2005 election, the League of Polish Families (LPR) won 8% of the vote and 34 seats in the Sejm. They entered into a coalition government with PiS and Samoobrona.[citation needed] On 19 May 2006, Mirosław Orzechowski, Deputy Minister of Education, stated that an international project organized by LGBT NGOs and financially supported by the European Commission Youth Programme would lead to the "depravity of young people".[132] Wojciech Wierzejski was a Member of the European Parliament, and then a Deputy of the Sejm from the League of Polish Families. In June 2005, while in the European Parliament, he called for "no tolerance for homosexuals and deviants".[132]

On 11 May 2006, while an MP, Wierzejski condemned the Warsaw Parada Równości. While condemning the parade, he stated the "deviants" should be "hit with batons". He also commented on the possible presence of German politicians at the parade, saying that "they are not serious politicians, but just gays and a couple of baton strikes will deter them from coming again. Gays are cowards by definition."[132] A day later, he wrote a letter to the Minister of the Interior and Administration and the Minister of Justice, in which he called for law enforcement agencies to check the legal and illegal sources of financing of the organizations of homosexual activists. He accused LGBT organisations of being involved with paedophiles and the illegal drug trade. He also wished to check if homosexual organisations penetrated Polish schools. In response to this, the State Prosecutor ordered all prosecutors to carefully check the financing of LGBT organizations, their alleged connections to criminal movements and their presence in schools.[132] On 2 June 2006, a complaint about Wierzejski's statements had been rejected by the Warsaw district prosecutor, because "the statements cannot be treated as threatening or encouraging to crime".[132]

On 8 June 2006, Roman Giertych, the Deputy Prime Minister of Poland and Minister of Education, dismissed Mirosław Sielatycki, the director of the National In-Service Teacher Training Centre, because "a lot of books were encouraging teachers to organize meetings with LGBT non-governmental organizations such as Campaign Against Homophobia or Lambda" and because "these books were criticising the legal situation in most European countries, including Poland, in relation to non-recognition of gay marriage as being a form of discrimination". The new director of the centre said that "homosexual practices lead to drama, emptiness and degeneracy."[132]

On 21 May 2006, Roman Giertych said that "LGBT organizations are sending transsexuals to kindergartens and asking children to change their sex".[132]

In March 2007, Roman Giertych proposed a bill that would have banned homosexual people from the teaching profession and would also have allowed sacking those teachers who promote "the culture of homosexual lifestyle".[149] At that time, Giertych was the Deputy Prime Minister of Poland and the Minister of Education.[149] The proposition gained a lot of attention in the media and was widely condemned by the European Commission,[150] by Human Rights Watch,[151] as well as by the Union of Polish Teachers, who organized a march through Warsaw (attended by 10,000 people) condemning the Ministry's policy.[152][153] The bill was not voted on, and the Government soon failed, leading to new parliamentary elections in which the League of Polish Families won no parliamentary seats.[154]

In 2007, PBS conducted an opinion poll associated with Roman Giertych's speech at a meeting of EU education ministers in Heidelberg. The pollster asked respondents if they agreed with Minister Giertych's statements:[155]

  • "Homosexual propaganda is growing in Europe, is reaching the younger children and is weakening the family." – 40% agreed, 56% disagreed.[155]
  • "Homosexual propaganda needs to be limited, so children will not have an improper perspective on the family." – 56% agreed, 44% disagreed.[155]
  • "Homosexuality is a deviation, we cannot promote as a normal relationship one between persons of the same sex in teaching young people, because objectively they are deviations from the natural law." – 44% agreed, 52% disagreed.[155]

Civic Platform

[edit]

In February 2019, Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski, member of the Civic Platform, signed a 12-point LGBT declaration. Proposed actions range from providing shelter to LGBT teenagers rejected by their families, the introduction of local crisis intervention helplines, and providing access to anti-discrimination and sex education at city schools.[156][157][158][159]

Your Movement

[edit]

Your Movement supports LGBT rights, including same-sex marriage and civil unions. A prominent party member is a gay activist, former member of the Sejm (2011–2014) and former Mayor of Słupsk (2014–2018) Robert Biedroń. He has been described as a young, rising political star in Poland, and is viewed as a frontrunner for the presidency. Former President Aleksander Kwasniewski has urged him to run for president in 2020. Opinion polls currently put him in third place, behind Andrzej Duda and Donald Tusk.[160]

Biedroń has spoken of significant societal change towards homosexuality and LGBT people. He had occasionally been publicly beaten on the streets and insulted, but said in 2018 that residents now smile and greet him. As a mayor, Biedroń marries local couples. "I’m extremely jealous because I see their happiness. I’m 15 years with my partner and it’s still a dream. It’s not fair that in 2018 two adults cannot get married if they love each other and are committed to each other.", he said.[160]

Spring

[edit]

In February 2019, LGBT activist Robert Biedroń launched Spring, a new progressive political party proposing to introduce civil partnerships for opposite-sex and same-sex couples, and the legalisation of same-sex marriage.[161][162] As of August 2019, the party has three MEPs. The party is now a member of the New Left coalition, which currently serves in government.

"LGBT-free zones"

[edit]
Map of Poland, LGBT-free zones declared (as of January 2020) on a voivodeship, powiat or gmina level marked in red.[19][163][164][165]

While ahead of the 2015 Polish parliamentary election, the ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party took an anti-migrant stance, in the run-up to the 2019 Polish parliamentary election the party has focused on countering Western "LGBT ideology".[19] Several Polish municipalities and four Voivodeships made so-called "LGBT-free zone" declarations, partly in response to the signing of a declaration in support of LGBT rights by Warsaw Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski.[19][166] While only symbolic, the declared zones signal exclusion of the LGBT community. The right wing Gazeta Polska newspaper issued "LGBT-free zone" stickers to readers.[167] The Polish opposition and diplomats, including US Ambassador to Poland Georgette Mosbacher, condemned the stickers.[168][169] The Warsaw District Court ordered that distribution of the stickers should halt pending the resolution of a court case.[170] However, Gazeta's editor dismissed the ruling saying it was "fake news" and censorship, and that the paper would continue distributing the sticker.[171] Gazeta continued with the distribution of the stickers, but modified the decal to read "LGBT Ideology-Free Zone".[170]

In August 2019, LGBT community members stated that they feel unsafe in Poland. The All Out organization launched a campaign to counter the attacks. Some 10,000 people signed a petition shortly after the campaign launch.[172]

During the coronavirus pandemic in April 2020, several LGBT activists began handing out rainbow facemasks in Gdańsk, Gdynia and Sopot, as a direct protest of the "LGBT-free zones".[173]

In July 2020, the town council of Nieuwegein, a Dutch city south of Utrecht, voted to end its friendship with Puławy in eastern Poland, citing "gay free zones" as the reason.[174]

Since July 2020, the European Union has started denying funds to municipalities that adopted "LGBT-free" declarations.[175]

In September 2020, ambassadors from 50 countries stationed in Poland published an open letter "[paying] tribute to the hard work of LGBTI and other communities in Poland and around the world" and calling to "end discrimination in particular on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity".[176][177][178] Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki rejected the call, saying that "tolerance belongs to Polish DNA... Nobody needs to teach us tolerance, because we are a nation that has learned such tolerance for centuries", while senior politician Joachim Brudzinski tweeted that "we are waiting with hope for the next letter, this time in defense of murdered Christians, imprisoned #ProLife activists, people dismissed from work and persecuted for quoting the Bible, [and] people subjected to euthanasia against their will."[179]

According to a December 2020 report by the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, "Far from being merely words on paper, these declarations and charters directly impact the lives of LGBTI people in Poland."[130]

LGBT movement and activism

[edit]
Parada Równości in 2007
Anti-gay protesters at the Warsaw Parada Równości in 2006
The 2018 Kraków Pride parade

Equality marches

[edit]

The largest aspect of the LGBT movement in Poland is the equality parade held in Warsaw every year since 2001.[180]

In 2004 and 2005, Warsaw officials denied permission to organize it, because of various reasons including the likelihood of counter-demonstrations, interference with religious or national holidays, and the lack of a permit.[181] Despite this, about 2,500 people marched illegally on 11 June 2005. Ten people were arrested. The ban has been declared illegal by the Bączkowski v Poland ruling of the European Court of Human Rights in 2007.[182]

The parade was condemned by the Mayor of Warsaw Lech Kaczyński, who said that allowing an official pride event in Warsaw would promote a "homosexual lifestyle".[183]

The Parada Równości events have continued regularly since 2006, attracting crowds of less than 10,000 every year, until 2015 when the parade attracted 18 thousand attendees.[184][185] Since then, attendance has increased dramatically, culminating in the 2018 parade which attracted 45,000 attendees.[186] On 8 June 2019, around 50,000 people marched in the event. Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski participated in the event for the first time and said that he wanted Warsaw to remain "open" and "tolerant."[187]

In 2005, 33% of the Warsaw population were for the organisation of the Parada Równości. In 2008, that figure fell to 25%.[188]

A 2010 opinion poll, conducted by PBS for Gazeta Wyborcza, showed that 45% of Warsaw residents supported the parade.[188]

In recent years, the parade has attracted widespread support from corporations and regional governments. The main partner of the 2018 parade was the regional Government of the Masovian Voivodeship, of which Warsaw is a part.[189]

Public opinion

[edit]

In a 2014 survey, conducted by CBOS for Dr. Natalia Zimniewicz, 30% of Poles wanted a ban on public promotion of gay content, and 17.3% would not support that ban, but would want another form of limiting the freedom of promotion of such information.[190]

52.5% thought that the current scale of promotion of gay content is excessive, 27.9% thought that pictures of gay parades or practices disgust them, 22.3% thought that the media blur the true image of homosexuality and 29.3% thought that gay content is not a private matter of the homosexual community, but affect children and other citizens.[190]

Summary table

[edit]
Yes/No Notes
Same-sex sexual activity
Same-sex sexual activity legal Yes Since 1932
Equal age of consent (15) Yes Since 1932
Discrimination laws
Anti-discrimination laws in employment Yes Since 2003,[191] but not consistently enforced[6]
Anti-discrimination laws in the provision of goods and services No
Anti-discrimination laws in education No
Anti-discrimination laws in all other areas (incl. indirect discrimination, hate speech) No Proposed[192][193]
Anti-discrimination laws concerning gender identity No Proposed[193]
Hate crime laws concerning sexual orientation and gender identity No Proposed[192][193]
Same-sex unions
Same-sex marriages No Since Coman v. Romania (2018), EU countries are required to recognize all marriages performed in other EU countries for some residency purposes.[194] Proposed to recognize Same-sex marriage from abroad.[195]
Civil partnerships No Proposed[196][197][198]
Recognition of same-sex couples No [199][200]
Adoption and parenting
Adoption by individuals Yes Yes[when?]
Stepchild adoption by same-sex couples No
Joint adoption by same-sex couples No
Commercial surrogacy for gay male couples No Banned regardless of sexual orientation
Access to IVF for lesbians No Available only for women in heterosexual relationships
Other
Conversion therapy banned No
Lesbians, gays and bisexuals allowed to serve openly in the military Yes [when?]
Right to change legal gender Yes/No Since 1995. Birth certificates are immutable. Instead, an addendum is appended in the birth certificate wrt. the sex change court order and legal name change.[201] Proposed to faster change [202]
MSMs allowed to donate blood Yes Since 2005[86]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Ashley, Beth (24 September 2023). "Poland: Donald Tusk promises new laws for 'victimised' LGBTQ+ community". PinkNews. Retrieved 24 September 2023.
  2. ^ "Country Ranking | Rainbow Europe". rainbow-europe.org. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
  3. ^ "Poland (Rzeczpospolita Polska)". Archived from the original on 29 July 2010. Retrieved 20 July 2010. "Poland (Rzeczpospolita Polska)". Archived from the original on 11 May 2013. Retrieved 16 July 2011.
  4. ^ Nzongola-Ntalaja; Krieger, Joel; Crahan, Margaret E.; Jacobs, Lawrence R.; Joseph, William A.; Paul, James A. (2 August 2001). The Oxford companion to politics of ... - Google Books. Oxford University Press, USA. ISBN 9780195117394. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
  5. ^ a b "Rainbow Europe". rainbow-europe.org. 20 February 2024.
  6. ^ a b c Górski, Marcin (2020). "Application of EU Law on Equal Treatment in Poland. État de choses in 2020". Osteuropa Recht. 66 (4): 483–495. doi:10.5771/0030-6444-2020-4-483. ISSN 0030-6444. S2CID 234914902. This brief overview concentrates on some problematic issues regarding the interpretation of provisions implementing the EU general principle of equal treatment.58 However, the overall picture emerging from these detail-focused considerations is that the principle of equal treatment in Poland appears generally ineffective. State authorities, predominantly the government ruling since 2015, have endeavoured to deprive anti-discrimination provisions (mostly enacted in the process of implementation of EU law) of any practical significance, whereas courts were neither eager nor able to resist this process, to put it delicately.
  7. ^ BULLETIN OF THE COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS 2019, no. 6 The Principle of Equal Treatment. Law and Practice, no. 27 "The legal situation of non-heterosexual and transsexual persons in Poland: International standards for the protection of LGBTQ persons human rights and compliance therewith from standpoint of the Commissioner for Human Rights"
  8. ^ "Poland rules in favour of printer convicted over refusing LGBT posters". Reuters. 26 June 2019. Retrieved 29 June 2020.
  9. ^ "The Constitution of the Republic of Poland". en.wikisource.org.
  10. ^ Gallo, D; Paladini, L; Pustorino, P, eds. (2014). Same-Sex Couples before National, Supranational and International Jurisdictions. Berlin: Springer. p. 215. ISBN 9783642354342. the drafters of the 1997 Polish Constitution included a legal definition of a marriage as the union of a woman and a man in the text of the constitution in order to ensure that the introduction of same-sex marriage would not be passed without a constitutional amendment.
  11. ^ Marek Safjan; Leszek Bosek, eds. (2016). Konstytucja RP. Tom I. Komentarz do art. 1-86. Warszawa: C.H. Beck Wydawnictwo Polska. ISBN 9788325573652. Z przeprowadzonej powyżej analizy prac nad Konstytucją RP wynika jednoznacznie, że zamieszczenie w art. 18 Konstytucji RP zwrotu definicyjnego "związek kobiety i mężczyzny" stanowiło reakcję na fakt pojawienia się w państwach obcych regulacji poddającej związki osób tej samej płci regulacji zbliżonej lub zbieżnej z instytucją małżeństwa. Uzupełniony tym zwrotem przepis konstytucyjny "miał pełnić rolę instrumentu zapobiegającego wprowadzeniu takiej regulacji do prawa polskiego" (A. Mączyński, Konstytucyjne podstawy prawa rodzinnego, s. 772). Innego motywu jego wprowadzenia do Konstytucji RP nie da się wskazać (szeroko w tym zakresie B. Banaszkiewicz, "Małżeństwo jako związek kobiety i mężczyzny", s. 640 i n.; zob. też Z. Strus, Znaczenie artykułu 18 Konstytucji, s. 236 i n.). Jak zauważa A. Mączyński istotą tej regulacji było normatywne przesądzenie nie tylko o niemożliwości unormowania w prawie polskim "małżeństw pomiędzy osobami tej samej płci", lecz również innych związków, które mimo tego, że nie zostałyby określone jako małżeństwo miałyby spełniać funkcje do niego podobną (A. Mączyński, Konstytucyjne podstawy prawa rodzinnego, s. 772; tenże, Konstytucyjne i międzynarodowe uwarunkowania, s. 91; podobnie L. Garlicki, Artykuł 18, w: Garlicki, Konstytucja, t. 3, uw. 4, s. 2, który zauważa, że w tym zakresie art. 18 nabiera "charakteru normy prawnej").
  12. ^ Scherpe JM, ed. (2016). European Family Law Volume III: Family Law in a European Perspective Family. Cheltenham, UK: Edward Elgar Publishing. p. 121. ISBN 9781785363047. Constitutional bans on same-sex marriage are now applicable in ten European countries: Article 32, Belarus Constitution; Article 46 Bulgarian Constitution; Article L Hungarian Constitution, Article 110, Latvian Constitution; Article 38.3 Lithuanian Constitution; Article 48 Moldovan Constitution; Article 71 Montenegrin Constitution; Article 18 Polish Constitution; Article 62 Serbian Constitution; and Article 51 Ukrainian Constitution.
  13. ^ Stewart J, Lloyd KC (2016). "Marriage Equality in Europe". Family Advocate. 38 (4): 37–40. Article 18 of the Polish Constitution limits the institution of marriage to opposite-sex couples.
  14. ^ a b Judgment of the Supreme Court of 7 July 2004, II KK 176/04, W dotychczasowym orzecznictwie Sądu Najwyższego, wypracowanym i ugruntowanym zarówno w okresie obowiązywania poprzedniego, jak i obecnego Kodeksu postępowania karnego, a także w doktrynie (por. wypowiedzi W. Woltera, A. Zolla, A. Wąska), pojęcie "wspólne pożycie" odnoszone jest wyłącznie do konkubinatu, a w szczególności do związku osób o różnej płci, odpowiadającego od strony faktycznej stosunkowi małżeństwa (którym w myśl art. 18 Konstytucji jest wyłącznie związek osób różnej płci). Tego rodzaju interpretację Sąd Najwyższy, orzekający w niniejszej sprawie, w pełni podziela i nie znajduje podstaw do uznania za przekonywujące tych wypowiedzi pojawiających się w piśmiennictwie, w których podejmowane są próby kwestionowania takiej interpretacji omawianego pojęcia i sprowadzania go wyłącznie do konkubinatu (M. Płachta, K. Łojewski, A.M. Liberkowski). Rozumiejąc bowiem dążenia do rozszerzającej interpretacji pojęcia "wspólne pożycie", użytego w art. 115 § 11 k.k., należy jednak wskazać na całkowity brak w tym względzie dostatecznie precyzyjnych kryteriów.
  15. ^ a b "Judgment of the Constitutional Tribunal of 11 May 2005, K 18/04". Polska Konstytucja określa bowiem małżeństwo jako związek wyłącznie kobiety i mężczyzny. A contrario nie dopuszcza więc związków jednopłciowych. [...] Małżeństwo (jako związek kobiety i mężczyzny) uzyskało w prawie krajowym RP odrębny status konstytucyjny zdeterminowany postanowieniami art. 18 Konstytucji. Zmiana tego statusu byłaby możliwa jedynie przy zachowaniu rygorów trybu zmiany Konstytucji, określonych w art. 235 tego aktu.
  16. ^ a b "Judgment of the Constitutional Tribunal of 9 November 2010, SK 10/08". W doktrynie prawa konstytucyjnego wskazuje się nadto, że jedyny element normatywny, dający się odkodować z art. 18 Konstytucji, to ustalenie zasady heteroseksualności małżeństwa.
  17. ^ a b "Judgment of the Supreme Administrative Court of Poland of 25 October 2016, II GSK 866/15". Ustawa o świadczeniach zdrowotnych finansowanych ze środków publicznych nie wyjaśnia, co prawda, kto jest małżonkiem. Pojęcie to zostało jednak dostatecznie i jasno określone we wspomnianym art. 18 Konstytucji RP, w którym jest mowa o małżeństwie jako o związku kobiety i mężczyzny. W piśmiennictwie podkreśla się, że art. 18 Konstytucji ustala zasadę heteroseksualności małżeństwa, będącą nie tyle zasadą ustroju, co normą prawną, która zakazuje ustawodawcy zwykłemu nadawania charakteru małżeństwa związkom pomiędzy osobami jednej płci (vide: L. Garlicki Komentarz do art. 18 Konstytucji, s. 2-3 [w:] Konstytucja Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej. Komentarz, Wydawnictwo Sejmowe, Warszawa 2003). Jest wobec tego oczywiste, że małżeństwem w świetle Konstytucji i co za tym idzie - w świetle polskiego prawa, może być i jest wyłącznie związek heteroseksualny, a więc w związku małżeńskim małżonkami nie mogą być osoby tej samej płci.
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Bibliography

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Karczewski, Kamil. (2022). Transnational Flows of Knowledge and the Legalisation of Homosexuality in Interwar Poland. Contemporary European History, 1-18. doi:10.1017/S0960777322000108

Karczewski, Kamil. (2022). “Call Me by My Name:” A “Strange and Incomprehensible” Passion in the Polish Kresy of the 1920s. Slavic Review, 81(3), 631-652. doi:10.1017/slr.2022.224

Tatchell, Peter. (1992). Europe in the pink: lesbian & gay equality in the new Europe. GMP. ISBN 978-0-85449-158-2

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