16/11/2023
The BBC News Channel reports in detail from Poland, which still ranks at the bottom of the European Union nations in terms of LGBTQIA civil rights. Activists have been hard working here - successfully lobbying the EU to withhold funding projects from districts which enacted anti-LGBT policies for example. However, the BBC found one or two districts controlled by the far right wing Law and Justice Party, that were still holding out with their extreme anti-gay proclamations. None of these districts were willing to talk to Western Media, a sign that they know that their rhetoric about protecting family values, is just a smokescreen for their extreme right wing agenda. Nationally, the Law and Justice Party has been given the boot by the electorate, who increasingly realise that minorities are not to blame for Poland's economic woes. Nevertheless, the opposition that won the election is a broad spectrum of parties, from the hard left through to the centre right. Although united on some economic issues, the coalition is fragile and its leader, Donald Tusk, has a job to manage the competing demands of the different groups. For now, LGBTQIA people are relieved that the naked hatred of the old government has been swept aside, and that the state run media attacks on them have been put on ice. Longer term strategies such as equal marriage or comprehensive transgender legislation will have to wait till such time that Poland's political attitudes evolve further.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-67378894
