The first happening with LGBT (lesbian, gay, bi- and transsexual) representatives took place in Poland in 1998, when three masked people stood on the Castle Square. Three years later, on May 1st 2001, 300 people walked down the streets in the first parade. But in 2004 and 2005 the Parade was cancelled by the later President of Poland, Lech Kaczynski.
In 2006 the religious and nationalist right in Poland called for a violent counter-protest. However, since 2006 there is growing international support for the Polish LGBT activists, who organise the event.
As all Pride events throughout Europe, the Parada Równości (Equality March) celebrates the diversity of people, and demands equal rights for gays, lesbians, bi- and transsexuals and transgender. It confronts the still existing discrimination not only in Poland but all over Europe. The LGBT network of the European Left, founded in Berlin in 2007, participated for the first time in this event to demonstrate its support and solidarity. www.paradarownosci.pl
Following the Equality Parade, Polish Young Socialists (observer of the Party of the European Left) together with friends and comrades from Europe held a conference on LGBT rights in Poland and the EU. The conference addressed the present problems of sexual minorities in Poland with comparison to other countries of the EU focusing on what kind of legislative steps must be taken for more equality and tolerance on the European and national level. The role of left-wing parties and social movements were also a topic of the discussion.
The conference in Warsaw is part of national wide campaign organized by Polish Young Socialists and their LGBT platform. Similar conferences already took place in Krakow and Szczecin). For further information please contact: Dominik Kaczmarski ( omareth@gmail.com , +48 505 058 800).