Poles march for LGBTQ+ equality after presidential vote raises fears
By Thomas Holdstock
GDANSK, Poland (Reuters) -Thousands of Poles took part in a Pride march in the northern port city of Gdansk on Saturday, showing their support for the LGBTQ+ community amid fears for its future after nationalist candidate Karol Nawrocki won a presidential election.
Participants waved rainbow flags and the blue, pink, and white banners representing the transgender community. Many carried placards bearing messages such as "Love is love" and "12 years together - when civil partnership?". A parallel Pride event was also held in the western city of Wroclaw.
Nawrocki, supported by the conservative Law and Justice (PiS) party, has raised alarm among LGBTQ+ advocates. During its time in power from 2015 to 2023, PiS made opposition to what it termed "LGBTQ+ ideology" a central part of its platform, framing it as a threat to traditional values in the predominantly Catholic country.
"I was devastated to be honest," 23-year-old student Agata said when asked about Nawrocki's victory. "I am scared. I don't know what our future looks like."
Although LGBTQ+ issues were less prominent in Nawrocki's campaign than in that of his PiS-backed predecessor Andrzej Duda in 2020, his platform included commitments to resist "ideology in schools" and to oppose adoption by same-sex couples.
He has stated that marriage should remain between a man and a woman and, while rejecting civil partnerships, expressed a willingness to discuss legal recognition for a "close person", regardless of sexual orientation.
In contrast, a pro-European coalition that came to power in 2023 introduced a draft bill to legalise civil partnerships. However, with the presidency holding veto power, the bill's future remains uncertain.
Agata said that she hoped a law on civil partnerships could come into effect, but that it was unlikely during Nawrocki's presidency. "I want more equality in our society, in our country," she said.
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