Region in Poland Revokes anti-LGBT Free Zones over Loss of EU funding

POLAND — (09-23-21) — A region in southern Poland has revoked the conservative anti-LGBT Free Zone resolution after the European Union froze funding for the region.

The announcement came after the regional assembly of Swietokrzyskie voted in a special session on Wednesday to revoke the anti-LGBT Free Zone resolution which was first passed in 2019 by dozens of conservative controlled Polish municipalities.

The pressure is beginning to build as regions in Poland are coming to grips with the reality that funding could lost if they continue to support the country’s anti-LGBT Free Zone resolution.

With the first region in Poland breaking ranks with dozens of conservative regions, who will be next to abandon the declaration of being an “anti-LGBT-Free Zone”?

Poland’s government had asked local authorities in several regions to revoke their largely symbolic anti-LGBT resolutions. In fact members of Poland’s ruling conservative Law and Justice party had supported the resolutions claiming communities intended to protect families based on unions of a man and a woman.

But reality sunk in quickly as the appeal marked a reversal for the conservative government after the EU froze millions of euros of funding to the Poland regions.

The anti-LGBT motion that passed by Swietokrzyskie in 2019 had stated their “opposition to the attempts to introduce LGBT ideology to local government communities and the promotion of this ideology in public life”.

The resolution also declared “deep disapproval and strong opposition to the attempts by liberal political and social circles to promote an ideology based on LGBT affirmation”.

Swietokrzyskie said such attempts were “in clear contradiction to the cultural heritage and centuries-old Christian traditions not only of the region but also of Poland and Europe.”

EU leaders denounced the resolutions as discriminatory, and the EU Parliament reacted quickly by passing a resolution declaring the entire 27-member EU a “freedom zone” for LGBT people.

Brussels struck another blow to Poland as it also suspended negotiations with five regions concerning the payment of funds from the cohesion recovery support program.

Thanks to the heavy pressure from the EU, the special regional assembly on Wednesday, approved the decision to withdraw from the anti-LGBT declaration. No one opposed the resolution however three councilors abstained from voting on the measure.

LGBT rights activists have been lobbying heavily on the EU to get tough on protecting LGBT citizens throughout Europe from discrimination.

Activist Bart Staszewski called it a “great day for Poland and great success of activists and civil society. I am really moved.”

Following the regional assembly of Swietokrzyskie move to revoke the measure, the Krakow region on Monday is reportedly set to consider a similar move.

Article by: Paul Goldberg, Staff Writer

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