Pride Warsaw — Filippo Venturi Photography

Equality Parade - Parada Równości

Warsaw, Poland, June 2022

A city where young Belarusians escaping dictatorship, Ukrainians fleeing the Russian invasion and Poles disillusioned with their country’s discriminatory and authoritarian stance converge, Warsaw is a refuge for those fighting for recognition of their rights, relating to LGBTQ+ issues, abortion and all those rights affecting minorities.

Yet Poland, along with Hungary, is one of the European countries that is most obstructive when it comes to LGBTQ+ and abortion rights, driven by a right-wing, church-backed party that has decided to politicise these issues to the point of comparing them to Communism. It is a country where, only a few years ago, under the impetus of the government, a third of the territory was declared an LGBT-Free Zone.

In this context, the success of the Equality Parade, the ‘Parada Równości’, one of the largest and longest-running in Europe (and the first in a former ‘communist bloc’ country), has taken on even greater symbolic importance. After the first edition in 2001, it has grown year by year, boasting 50,000 participants in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic forced it to be suspended. It is back this year, bringing over 100,000 participants to the streets of the Polish capital.

Back in the last century, French writer and feminist Simone De Beauvoir warned “Never forget that it only takes a political, economic or religious crisis for women’s rights to be called into question. These rights can never be taken for granted. You must remain vigilant throughout your life.” The concept can be extended to minorities who, together with women, are the last to have obtained (or attempted to obtain) rights, indispensable but at the same time fragile and the first to be lost when a pandemic or crisis seems to make them unnecessary or even a hindrance to re-establishing the lost social balance.

Two activists embrace in the large fountain near the Palace of Culture and Science, in the area named for the occasion "Equality Town", with spaces and activities included in the “Parada Równości”, the Parade of Equality. (Warsaw, Poland, June 25, 2022)

«When I was very young, I didn’t know much about the LGBTQ+ community. I only knew that there were straight people and gay people and that the latter can’t get married. Through the internet, I got to know people of all types and sexual orientations and they were the ones who told me about their community and the discrimination problems they experience. It was precisely at that time that I realised I was bisexual and suddenly found that all those problems were my problems too!

As an activist, I initially contributed to updating a very large Instagram page as an administrator, writing educational posts. After taking part in my first Parada Równości, I decided that I had to be part of it too and joined the team.

Unfortunately, in recent years, LGBTQ+ rights have been used within political dynamics by right-wing parties, who know how much this topic scandalises, outrages and unites their electorate. We had proof of this just before the 2020 general election (won again by Andrzej Duda, a member of the “Law and Justice” party, beating challenger Rafal Trzaskowski, Mayor of Warsaw and pro-LGBTQ+), when more than 100 Polish municipalities declared themselves “LGBT-free zones”. The right has called us an ideology, comparable to Communism, attempting to indoctrinate and corrupt children.

In big cities, however, people are becoming aware and hate crimes seem to be declining. Ours is a long, hard battle which, at times, appears not to be bearing fruit, but we cannot give up. I am sure that one day we will see true equality.»

Ala Herda, 23, from Poland, a university student at the Faculty of Transport Engineering and one of the organisers of the Parada Równości, in charge of the “Equality Town” area. (Warsaw, Poland, June 25, 2022)

Preparations for the "Parada Równości", the Parade of Equality, near the Palace of Culture and Science, in the area named "Equality Town" for the occasion. (Warsaw, Poland, June 25, 2022)

«Poland has been recognised by ILGA (the International Lesbian and Gay Association) as the most homophobic country in the European Union when it comes to recognising LGBTQ+ rights. This situation is, in fact, stuck in 2015, when the “Law and Justice” party came to power.

Nevertheless, social awareness, acceptance and tolerance are on the rise, with around 60% of the population supporting civil partnerships and 45% same-sex marriages. In addition, 100,000 people marched this weekend in the parade, making it the best-attended edition!

It should, however, be noted that, at global level, there is a common trend: the rise of right-wing populism. Societies are radicalised by the leaders of right-wing parties, who identify those responsible for the evils of their country in groups which are already legally and socially marginalised. For a leader, it is easier to divide society than to unite it.

My desire to fight for LGBTQ+ rights stems from my inability to accept legal and social inequality. No argument, political or otherwise, can ever convince me that human rights are under discussion. Everyone has the right to love and to be loved. I won’t stop fighting until this right is granted to every Polish citizen.»

Anna Maria Żukowska, 39, from Poland, left-wing politician and member of Poland’s Chamber of Deputies. She has been fighting for LGBTQ+ rights for years. (Warsaw, Poland, June 25, 2022)

«The situation in Poland has deteriorated since the “Law and Justice” party came to power. The government has begun to adopt a discriminatory narrative towards being queer. It’s not just a matter of fighting for our rights on a political level, but of defending ourselves from the aggressions and violence in the streets that affects our everyday lives.

Coming from a small town in the Subcarpathian Voivodeship, a very conservative province, I’ve had to face many forms of “phobia”. Although I tried to hide from others, for many people I was not manly enough and therefore they thought I was gay and punished me for it... They are sad, scary memories, some guys were openly homophobic, but some of them still tried to approach me sexually and, when I refused, they would beat me up.

Later, during my studies, I joined an anti-fascist group to fight for rights, including LGBTQ+ ones. When I moved to Warsaw my life got better. Today I have the privilege of working in a place where everyone respects me!

It’s increasingly difficult to understand this world, where even some European countries are hindering certain rights or even invading other nations. Politicians and rulers still want to demonstrate their power, at any cost. The media also ride on certain narratives, such as the alt-right, which people embrace because they are simple, direct and indicate an enemy onto which they can offload their dissatisfaction and anger.»

Amadea Brozek, 28, from Poland, manages the “Klub Spatif” nightclub, where some of the concerts and meetings that form part of the “Parada Równości” have been hosted. Her first name in the registry office is Amadeus, but now she has decided to call herself Amadea. (Warsaw, Poland, June 24, 2022)

A participant of the “Parada Równości” in Cafe Kulturalna. (Warsaw, Poland, June 25, 2022)

«I was born in Belarus and stayed there until 9 August 2020, the day Lukashenko won the election. Since that day, the police have suppressed all forms of protest with unprecedented violence, even attacking my bar, a place open to the LGBTQ+ community and any other type of marginalised community. That was when I decided to leave forever.

Belarusian society is largely homophobic; it isn’t possible to express our feelings and our identity, we have to appear “normal”. Even those protesting against the dictatorship didn’t want us demonstrating along with them. From this point of view, the situation has not improved recently, quite the contrary.

In 2016, I was arrested for the first time by the police due to my tattoos while they were looking for drugs. The search, I remember, was literally sexual harassment, a form of physical domination. I found out that my life was worth very little there.

A dictatorship always needs some kind of enemy, be it drug addicts, anarchists or gays. That was when my commitment and social activism began, symbolised by the two rainbow tattoos I got on my face.

When few people have too much power in their hands, they start doing things humanity doesn’t need at all. The people need simple answers. Hating someone is just that.»

Gleb Kovalév, 30, from Belarus, manager of the “Karma Krew” nightclub. He emigrated from Belarus to Warsaw. (Warsaw, Poland, June 23, 2022)

«In Poland, the situation for the LGBTQ+ community has been getting worse since some politicians started to humiliate it, using it as political fuel.

For a long time I lived abroad, teaching my three children understanding and respect for human rights, but in those years I never felt the need to publicly support LGBTQ+ rights.

In Poland, on the other hand, I understood that it was necessary to be active in this regard because I want to show my children, my family and my colleagues that we can’t be indifferent to the problems in the country affecting this community, which also includes many of my friends.

Unfortunately, all over the world, some people are always on the lookout for simple answers and an “enemy” to protect themselves from. These are the levers which, on a global level, populists will always seek to exploit.

I have some hope that, through awareness and critical thinking, young people can set new standards for the political class.»

Ania Karpowicz, 39, a Polish musician, experimental flutist and rights activist. She performed in the “Klub Spatif” nightclub during an event forming part of the “Parada Równości”. (Warsaw, Poland, June 24, 2022)

Customers of the “Klub Spatif” nightclub during an event that is part of the “Parada Równości”. (Warsaw, Poland, June 24, 2022)

Some participants, on the steps of the Palace of Culture and Science, waiting for the start of the "Parada Równości", scheduled for 2 pm. (Warsaw, Poland, June 25, 2022)

Some colored balloons used at the “Parada Równości”. (Warsaw, Poland, June 25, 2022)

«I remember the exact day: it was 7 August 2020 when a judge ordered the arrest of an LGBTQ+ activist, Margot, who was placing rainbow flags on monuments in Warsaw. Margot mentioned it on Facebook and many people rushed to try to stop that abuse. The police attacked us and arrested 48 people, including myself and Margot.

At the time I had already founded the “Homokomando” association, which organised gay sporting events but, after that 7 August, activism became our main focus. Since then, we have been protecting the demonstrations and protests taking place in Warsaw.

In Poland we don’t have same-sex marriages or civil partnerships. Legal gender change is complicated and we have no protection against hate crime motivated by sexual orientation or gender identity. Just three years ago we were the focus of a state-sponsored hate campaign and many municipalities had declared themselves “LGBT-free zones”.

Subsequently, thanks to the international response and lobbying by EU officials, most of these areas were cleared and central government has toned down the hatred. However, as the election approaches, this sentiment seems to be on the rise again.»

Linus Lewandowski, 29, from Poland, computer scientist, sportsman and founder of “Homokomando”, a gay association that organises sporting events and demonstrations for rights. (Warsaw, Poland, June 25, 2022)

Some artists make drawings that will then be sold to raise funds for Ukraine, inside the "Karma Krew" club, founded by young Belarusians who left the country to escape the dictatorship. (Warsaw, Poland, June 23, 2022).

«My father is British and moved to Warsaw for work 25 years ago. He met my mother and decided to stay here to be with her.

The situation in the country has been the same for years from a legal point of view: civil partnerships and the adoption of children by non-straight couples is not allowed, you can’t change your name before the age of 18 to align with the gender identity you identify with etc. but on a social level the situation has improved in the big cities.

I started fighting for rights, including those of my LGBTQ+ community, as soon as I realised I was bisexual. Initially, I limited myself to participating in Gay Pride whenever I could, in Warsaw but also in other cities.

When the Polish government decided that the second wave of COVID-19 infections was the perfect time to ban abortions, even in situations where the mother’s life was in danger, thinking that no one would be able to oppose and demonstrate because of the restrictions, many activists fought for that right anyway, taking risks and going on strike.

All that courage convinced me that I too had to get involved. I started out as an activist and then joined the team that organises the “Parada Równości.”»

Helena Faulkner, 18, from Poland, is one of the organisers of the Parada Równości. (Warsaw, Poland, June 23, 2022)

Wiktor and his girlfriend Maria, both 16, Polish, students, in the area named for the occasion "Equality Town", with spaces and activities included in the “Parada Równości”, the Parade of Equality. (Warsaw, Poland, June 25, 2022). «I believe that the situation in Poland has improved in recent years. People don't get angry about these things as they did until a couple of years ago. It is the first time that we have come to an event of this type!»

«I was born in Belarus, but it never felt like home. By the age of 16, I had already planned to leave the country. Since 2018, I have been actively participating in various NGOs and social projects and I was aware of political problems and persecutions even before the 2020 election, when the situation degenerated after yet another victory for the dictator Lukashenko, which occurred with several irregularities. Since then, there has been no opportunity for activists to express themselves and demonstrate and therefore many Belarusians have moved to Poland.

Belarus has problems when it comes to recognising many rights, including LGBTQ+ ones. Even those who demonstrated in 2020 against the political election and the dictatorship did not share the recognition of LGBTQ+ rights in a united way.

The situation has worsened further in recent years, after the vast majority of NGOs and social projects that supported the LGBTQ+ community were cancelled by the government.

There is no particular reason that prompted me to fight for LGBTQ+ rights, I have always firmly believed that, until everyone is free, no one is free. Everyone should have the fundamental right of freedom to love whoever they want.»

Lolita Orlovskaya, Belarusian illustrator. She is one of the artists involved in the creation of drawings that will be sold to raise funds for Ukraine, in the “Karma Krew” nightclub, founded by young Belarusians who left the country to escape the dictatorship. (Warsaw, Poland, June 23, 2022)