06/12/2006
Warsaw Gay Pride: Look Who's Hiding Now
The gays will no longer hide their faces in Poland, a nation where homophobia is sanctioned by the government. Approximately 2,000 people participated in the Equality Parade over the weekend, which was patrolled by as many police.
A quick glance at the crowd will show where the shame is in this country. Many of the neo-Nazis who showed up to try and pelt the marchers with eggs (they were held back from the crowd by police) hid their faces behind masks like cowards.
Last year there were protests following the Equality Parade. A gay rights march in Poznan, Poland resulted in the detention of 65 people recently. In March, a speech in Berlin by Polish President Lech Kaczynski was interrupted by protestors objecting to his anti-gay policies. And in May, a March for Tolerance in Krakow erupted in violence.
Thankfully, the march in Warsaw was spared any blood. It's obviously very close at hand. Bravo to those in Poland willing to risk their lives to march for human rights.
Fears of Poland's gay community [bbc]
Sphere: Related ContentPosted 2:00 PM EST by Andy in Activism, Gay Pride, Gay Rights, Poland | Permalink
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Does anyone have any contact info for the supposed 'government' of Poland to tell them how the rest of the world feels about their homophobia?
Posted by: Andrew | Jun 12, 2006 2:11:13 PM
Does anyone have any contact info for the supposed 'government' of the United States to tell them how the rest of the world feels about their homophobia?
Posted by: james | Jun 12, 2006 2:24:29 PM
http://www.president.pl/modules/mailtoperson/SendMail.do
Posted by: Andrew | Jun 12, 2006 2:25:55 PM
To James,
Yes, contact Dick Cheney's office. The address is
http://www.whitehouse.gov/vicepresident/ He should know.
Posted by: Andrew | Jun 12, 2006 2:29:55 PM
Even though the US has become a so-called bastion for 'Religious Conservatives', we still have over 70 gay Pride events in our Country every year. What other Country can say that?
Posted by: Andrew | Jun 12, 2006 2:35:42 PM
no feedback?
Posted by: Andrew | Jun 12, 2006 2:46:04 PM
My resident polish person says the word 'pedalowania' on the sign is a not-nice slang term for "gay man". 'zakaz' translates to "Prohibited". So the sign basically reads "No Fags".
Posted by: Joe | Jun 12, 2006 3:10:26 PM
feedback for what? OMG THANK YOU FOR THE ADDRESS!
and your point is.... what? that kevin aviance got gaybashed?
Posted by: james | Jun 12, 2006 3:31:43 PM
And here is the one from Calgary:
http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/city/story.html?id=451c5e9a-3398-4b37-b893-23e5694cc270
Posted by: Lady Heather | Jun 12, 2006 3:52:22 PM
I think it's interesting how we're hearing so many people in the US talking about the commercialization of pride festivals, wondering if the festivals are even relevant anymore... and then we see how a simple parade can start the change rolling in another country. Maybe we jaded queens should be a little less bitchy about pride festivals and remember what they have done for us not so very long ago.
Posted by: Brian | Jun 12, 2006 4:43:55 PM
Look stop bitching, this isn't about America for once. It's about Poland. Stick to topic!
Those protesters would cause chaos at the opening of a pink envelope. Good luck to all the gays there and hope things start improving bit by bit for them.
Posted by: Eoin M | Jun 12, 2006 5:21:23 PM
james,
What the hell are you talking about? yes, my address is for everyone to see. My love and thoughts go out to Kevin.
Posted by: Andrew | Jun 12, 2006 5:33:43 PM
Poland, home of Auschwitz. 'nuff said.
My heart does go out to our "family" over. I'm proud of them for marching.
Posted by: samguy | Jun 14, 2006 12:21:57 AM