LGBTQI+ free zones have consequences for Poland
The fact that some provinces in Poland have decided to declare themselves "LGBT-free" is not new. Shortly after this decision became known, it was reported in the media worldwide. The European Commission also spoke out several times and criticized the behavior of the provinces in question.
However, this is not the end of the criticism. In a letter, those responsible have now drawn attention to the fact that funds that were planned for the respective Polish provinces are now to be put on hold.
European Commission refers to contract
In the letter in question, the European Commission comments on the latest developments, stating that the demarcation of LGBTQI+ free zones would not be compatible with the values that apply to the European Union.
Financial resources are therefore now to be set aside. The amounts involved amount to several billion. It is therefore very likely that the effects will be felt significantly by the country of Poland.
However, the step was foreseeable and should not come as a surprise to those responsible in Poland. Especially since some EU politicians had repeatedly hinted at exactly that in the direction of Poland.
Similar developments in Hungary
If you let your gaze wander to Hungary, you will see that homophobia is becoming more and more widespread. In Hungary, however, the focus is currently on preventing children and young people from coming into contact with "queer literature" - at school, for example.
"Rainbow families" should no longer be portrayed in textbooks and relevant magazines. Instead, the aim should be to focus on the "normal" family, consisting of father, mother and the children.
EU policy has also already reacted to these appalling anti-queer laws and condemned the action.
How are queers doing on the ground?
Of course, it is especially important that the queers living in Poland (and also in Hungary and in all other parts of the world) do not suffer from the set back funds. But: even without the restrictions that may come from the unpaid funds, the situation of homosexuals in many regions of the world is dramatic.
Nevertheless, it would also be wrong to claim that there is no strong LGBTQI+ scene in Poland, Hungary and co. In contrast to other countries, however, people here do not have the opportunity to stand by their queerness comparatively freely. Various associations, including some from Germany, are making a strong case for those affected - for example in social networks - and are trying to raise awareness as best they can.
Nevertheless, since the media coverage of the LGBTQI+ free zones, life for queers in Poland has often been even more difficult than before. Many of them have already found out that hatred, which was previously only lived with words, can also turn into physical violence.
LGBTQI+-free or not?
LGBTQI+-free zones in Poland are by no means rigid constructs. A look at past developments has shown that the decision to become LGBTQI+-free as a province is not set in stone.
Possibly also due to international pressure, some of those responsible have meanwhile rowed back and decided - at least outwardly - to become more queer-friendly again. Conversely, the Polish regional council voted a few weeks ago to maintain the corresponding zones.
That's why it's so important, among other things, for both the LGBTQI+ community in Poland and people in Germany who feel connected to those affected on the ground to stay on the ball, to realize that some developments may still be reversed.
The EU's deferral of billions of dollars in funding has once again shown that keeping the zones is not a trivial matter, but a serious violation of the EU's principles. To what extent Poland (and other countries where queers are still oppressed) will be influenced by this remains to be seen.
The sydonal path finally feeds.