Donate

About us

Campaign Against Homophobia is one of the most effective organizations working for the LGBT+ community in Poland. We engage in political advocacy at both national and international levels, participate in legal proceedings, and support the LGBT+ movement. Since our establishment in 2001, KPH has had a clear goal - we want to build a Poland of equal rights, where respect and dignity are guaranteed to everyone regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, and sex characteristics. The change we fight for requires commitment and strength, and that's exactly what KPH is - committed and strong. We are advocates for the LGBT+ community. Together, we are building a just and open society.

Areas of activity

Association

KPH is one of the most effective Polish organisations advocating for the LGBT+ community. We advocate for the LGBT+ community on national and international level through social and political advocacy, court proceedings supporting the LGBT+ movement and through cooperation with business. Since our establishment in 2001 our goal is clear – we want to make Poland a country of people enjoying equal rights, where respect and dignity are guaranteed to all regardless of their psychosexual orientation, gender identity and sexual characteristics.This change requires commitment and strength. And these are our qualities at KPH - we are committed and strong.We are the Ministry of Equal Rights. We are the advocates for the LGBT+ community. We will create a fair and inclusive system. A system called Poland.

Team

More about the Team

Management Board

  • Photo of Urszula Jakubowska

    Urszula Jakubowska

    Co-Chairperson of the Board

  • Photo of Anna Maria Szymkowiak

    Anna Maria Szymkowiak

    Co-Chairperson of the Board

  • Photo of Marcin Rodzinka-Verhelle

    Marcin Rodzinka-Verhelle

    Secretary of the Board

  • Photo of Agnieszka Kulikowska

    Agnieszka Kulikowska

    Treasurer of the Board

  • Photo of Dorota Stobiecka

    Dorota Stobiecka

    Member of the Board

More about Management

KPH history

KPH implements a campaign #JestemPrzeciwTransfobii - Poland's first public campaign involving numerous transgender people speaking on their own behalf

KPH launches its Legal Protection Programme directed at LGBT+ activists oppressed by the authorities.

Together with other NGOs, KPH opens the first emergency apartment for young LGBT+ people experiencing homelessness in Warsaw.

Due to the existence of LGBT-free zones in Poland, KPH conducts a Europe-wide public campaign #InfrigementNOW in order to put pressure on the EU institutions.

In cooperation with Facebook, KPH implements a public campaign supporting young LGBT+ people dealing with mental problems - "Na wyciągnięcie ręki".

KPH together with All Out organizes a rainbow illumunation on the façade of the European Commission building after presenting Helena Dalli, the Commissioner for Equality, a petition regarding LGBT-free zones signed by 300,000 European citizens.

KPH conducts two high-profile public campaigns: "Historie ukryte w ubraniach", highlighting the extent of violence against LGBT+ people, and "Jestem Przeciw homofobi" (I am against homophobia). It also films a spot titled "Jestem LGBT - jestem człowiekiem" (I am LGBT - I am a human being) in response to president Duda who said "LGBT are not p[eople - they are an ideology".

KPH produces a short film titled "7-My Sierpnia" about people arrested during the protest on 7th of August 2019, considered a landmark in the history of LGBT+ movement in Poland.

The year 2019 brings the first edition of the Korony Równości poll, whose awards are considered to be the most prestigious distinction granted for advocacy for the LGBT+ people in Poland.

The Parliament receives a bill banning the so-called conversion therapies. The document was drafted by KPH in cooperation with Nowoczesna party.

KPH discovers that the Polish national television station TVP introduced a fake volunteer to the organisation. She was meant to spy on KPH.

KPH organizes another groundbreaking public campaign - #SportPrzeciwHomofobii, where for the first time in Poland sportsmen and sportswomen show their support to LGBT+ people.

KPH implements a campaign "Głosuję na miłość" featuring billboards in Polish cities. Its goal is to motivate Polish society to vote in the parliamentary elections. In the same year KPH unveils a "Come Out" campaign regarding the elections to the European Parliament.

The list of KPH demands is broadened to include marriage equality.

KPH holds an intervention at the UN and goes to Geneva to advocate for LGBT+ people with disabilities.

Slava Melnyk becomes the managing director of KPH and will hold this position until mid-2023.

KPH becomes advocating for intersex people, which leads to establishing Interakcja Foundation.

KPH is awarded at the LGBT+ Diamonds Awards for the Rainbow Friday initiative.

With legal support from KPH, Jakub Lendzion wins in court against the school he attended. This is the first case in Poland where the court convicts a school for failing to prevent homophobia among students.

The annual ILGA-Europe conference takes place in Warsaw. Its participants represent LGBT+ organisations from across Europe. KPH is the local organiser.

KPH publishes Poland's first guide for rainbow families titled "Rodzicielstwo osób LGBT" (Parenting LGBT people).

KPH launches the first edition of "Tatuaże przeciw homofobii" - Poland's first initiative where artists offer tattoos in order to financially support the fight against discrimination of LGBT+ people.

The first edition of Rainbow Friday in Poland - a celebration of the LGBT+ youth and a KPH initiative.

A new pioneering public campaign by KPH, featuring billboards on the streets of Polish cities and a series of videos published online: „Przekażmy sobie znak pokoju” (Let's offer each other the sign of peace), organised in cooperation with the Catholic community.

KPH grants the first Ally of the Year award which goes to Dariusz Michalczewski. In subsequent years KPH will honour Czesław Mozil and Aga Zaryan. In 2019 the award is replaced by the Crowns of Equality poll.

Beginning of the court case against a printer from Łódź - one of the most publicised lawsuits conducted by KPH. In 2020 the case will end up in the Supreme Court.

KPH launches its campaign "Ramię w ramię po równość" - a series of videos where famous performers, movie stars as well as TV and Internet personalities show support for the LGBT+ community. The first video was recorded by Zbigniew Wodecki.

There is an attack on the KPH office. Over the next 14 months the seat of the organisation will be attacked 4 times.

The spot titled "Najbliżsi obcy" hits the Internet. The video promotes KPH's public campaign „Popieram związki” (I support partnerships) which aims to increase public support for the Civil Partnerships Act.

KPH attracts public attention with its pioneering public campaign entitled "Rodzice, odważcie się mówić". For the first time in Poland, the posters feature the parents of gays, lesbians and bisexuals supporting their children.

The first KPH public campaign directed to LGBT+ teenagers - "Spoko, ja też!" - is released on TV and the Internet. MTV becomes the partner of this campaign.

KPH launches the Academy of the Engaged Parent - Poland' first series of workshops for parents of LGBT+ people. A few years later, parents from the Academy will set up the association called My, rodzice (Us, parents).

KPH together with the association Miłość Nie Wyklucza submits a bill on registered civil partnerships to the Sejm.

At the invitation of KPH, the parents of Matthew Shepard - a USA student beaten to death - come to Poland. During the visit, Matthew's mother appears before the Sejm and talks, among other things, about the deadly consequences of homophobia.

Agata Chaber becomes the new director of KPH and will hold this position until 2018.

Some of the local KPH branches transform into independent organisations: Fabryka Równości is created in Łódź, Tęczówka is founded in Katowice, and in Warsaw, Replika Foundation is established. This marks the beginning of big changes - a year later, by decision of the management board, local branches of KPH will be closed or transformed into foundations and associations.

KPH ends 2010 with 15 local branches operating in Białystok, Kielce, Krakow, Lublin, Łódź, Olsztyn, Poznań, Rzeszów, Szczecin, the Tri-City, Wałbrzych, Wrocław, Zielona Góra and in Silesia.

Tomasz Szypuła is appointed president of KPH for a period of two years.

KPH presents a draft of an amendment to the Criminal Code guaranteeing LGBT+ people protection against hate speech and hate crimes.

Robert Biedroń bids farewell to the post of president which is taken over by Marta Abramowicz.

KPH publishes Poland's first report on homophobic hate speech, presenting a comprehensive overview of the issue of the use of prejudicial and stereotypical language towards LGBT+ people.

Together with the Trans-Fuzja Foundation, KPH organises a Festival of Rainbow Families.

KPH conducts an educational campaign "Czerwony kapturek" addressing the topic of health of LGBT+ people.

KPH succeeds at the UN by presenting its shadow report whose recommendations were adopted by the European Committee on Social Rights. Reporting to the UN on the situation of LGBT+ people becomes one of KPH's regular activities.

KPH organises another campaign against homophobia - "Homofobia - tak to wygląda". The campaign posters feature photographs of gays and lesbians and slogans such as "Dyke! I hear it everyday" or "Faggot! I hear it everyday".

KPH sends a message of support to people who are not "out" by organising a public campaign "Nie jesteś sama, nie jesteś sam". The posters and leaflets show photographs of gays and lesbians signed "I am a dentist. I am a lesbian" or "I am a student. I am gay".

KPH publishes its first report entitled "Sytuacja społeczna osób homoseksualnych i biseksualnych" (Social situation of homosexual and bisexual persons). The report will be issued systematically every five years; in subsequent versions the research is broadened to include also transsexual and asexual persons.

"Replika" bimonthly magazine is launched on the initiative of Robert Biedroń. It will be published by KPH until 2011.

KPH is granted the status of a public benefit organisation.

KPH organises a groundbreaking public campaign "Niech nas zobaczą". For the first time in Polish history, billboards with photographs of gay and lesbian couples appear in the public space. The photographs were taken by Karolina Breguła and the campaign aims to counter homophobia. Minister Izabela Jaruga - Nowacka holds patronage over the campaign.

After the success of "Niech nas zobaczą", KPH implements another public campaign - "Jestem gejem. Jestem lesbijką. Poznaj nas". As part of the campaign, the website www.homoseksualizm.pl was created to educate society on the subject of homosexuality.

KPH stages a protest over a National Blood Donation and Hemotherapy Centre recommendation not to accept blood from homosexual men. As a result of KPH's intervention, the Centre withdrew its discriminatory recommendation.

KPH opens first local branches of the association which will grow in number every year.

On September 11th 2001, KPH founding press conference is held in Warsaw. Robert Biedroń becomes president of the association and the first management board includes Sławomir Bańcyrowski, DSc Jacek Kochanowski, Sławomir Królak and Bartosz Żurawiecki. Six months later Marta Abramowicz becomes vice-president.

Funding

KPH is an independent non-government organisation basing its activity on the non-profit principle. In order to maintain financial independence and stability, our budget is based on four main sources of funding:

  • 1

    Grants

    Funds coming from grant-making organisations operating in Poland, Europe and the US, as well as from European Union institutions and embassies are a significant source of financing for KPH's activities.

  • 2

    Individuals

    One of the four sources of KPH's funding is constituted by one-off and recurring donations from individual donors, which are an important confirmation of the need for our association's existence.

  • 3

    1.5% of personal income tax

    An important source of funding for KPH is money coming from the 1.5% personal income tax donation scheme. In 2022, KPH obtained 874 970 PLN this way.

  • 4

    Business

    Financial support for KPH is also provided by business entities, small and medium-sized enterprises as well as corporations. Financial support from companies takes the form of donations or financial cooperation in implementing a specific action.

Rules for accepting funds

  • Independence

    We do not accept funding from the Polish national government, local governments and political parties.

  • Mission

    We are seeking funding for activities that are in line with our statutory objectives and operating strategy. We do not carry out activities ordered by other entities.

  • Decision rights

    Grant-makers, sponsors, business partners and individuals who support KPH with donations and 1.5% of their personal income tax have no right to decide on the operation or activities of the organisation.

  • Transparency

    KPH is a financially transparent organisation – our financial statements are available on the association's website. We also require financial transparency from the entities that support us.

Documents

Statute

Statute.pdf

Strategy

Strategy 2022–2027.pdf

Reports for the year

RODO

Privacy Policy.pdf

KPH Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter and we will make sure you receive information about the actions undertaken by our organization.

Do you need psychological or legal help?

Here you will find support