On Sunday, June 15, 2025, a workshop was held for LGBT+ parents, where we talked about strategies to protect Rainbow Families in Poland and gained new skills in communication and working with the media.

Even though the political situation has changed after the presidential election — and the future of the civil partnership bill (which does not include support for families) looks less hopeful — we still speak up loud and clear:

Like anyone else, we have the right to become parents and expect the same support from the state as different-sex couples!

Our children deserve the same protection as all other children in Poland!

There are over 50,000 children being raised in Rainbow Families in Poland, and many more same-sex couples dream of starting a family.

We need clear and strong action from the government!

Are you an LGBTQ+ parent or planning to start a family? Tired of waiting for the government to notice you?

Join us! Contact: polityka@kph.org.pl

Today, ILGA-Europe published its Rainbow Map & Index, ranking 49 countries based on how well they protect the human rights of LGBT+ people. Poland ranked 39th – still one of the lowest in Europe, but no longer the very last country in the European Union. Malta again came first, followed by Belgium and Iceland. Countries like Russia, Azerbaijan, and Turkey scored the lowest overall.

For the first time in five years, Poland is no longer in the last place among EU countries. However, the country’s legal framework and law enforcement practices regarding the human rights of LGBT+ people remain among the worst in Europe. This year, Poland scored 21% – a slight improvement compared to last year – due to the repeal of the last remaining discriminatory local resolution targeting LGBT+ people. Despite this minor change, the ranking clearly shows: Polish law fails to adequately protect LGBT+ people and their families.

The Rainbow Map Has Been Monitoring LGBT+ Rights for 16 Years

The Rainbow Map and Index, launched by ILGA-Europe in 2009, evaluates legal and policy frameworks for LGBT+ equality in 49 European countries. ILGA-Europe is an umbrella organization representing civil society groups advocating for the rights of LGBT+ people across Europe.

The Rainbow Map relies on legal analysis and consultation with national experts and civil society. In Poland, the report is prepared in collaboration with Trans-Fuzja Foundation and Campaign Against Homophobia (KPH).

Importantly, the ranking does not measure social attitudes or levels of acceptance, but rather is based on objective legal criteria and policy implementation by national authorities. The index evaluates countries across the following categories:

• Equality and non-discrimination

• Family

• Hate crime and hate speech

• Legal gender recognition

• Intersex bodily integrity

• Civil society space

• Asylum.

An interactive version of the Rainbow Map visualizes the legal situation in each country. It is published annually around 17 May – the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT).

View this year’s map here: https://rainbowmap.ilga-europe.org

Rainbow Map 2025: Malta Still at the Top, Poland No Longer Last in the EU

For the first time in five years, Poland is no longer at the bottom of the EU ranking, though the legal and policy situation for LGBT+ rights remains dire. In the 2025 edition of the Rainbow Map, Poland scored 21%. Only 10 countries ranked lower – including Russia, Belarus, Azerbaijan, and Turkey – while Malta, Belgium, and Iceland again led the ranking.

Poland’s slight improvement is primarily due to the repeal of the last discriminatory local declaration – the Local Government Charter of Family Rights in Łańcut County. This change marks a symbolic end to a dark chapter in recent Polish history when open discrimination against LGBT+ people was tolerated in public policy.

Still, this shift is no reason for celebration. Poland scored 0 points in three key categories: Family, Hate crime and hate speech, and Intersex bodily integrity.

There Is Still a Long Way to Go for LGBT+ Equality in Poland

To move higher in the ranking, comprehensive legal reforms are needed, including:

• Legal recognition of same-sex partnerships and marriage equality

• Legal protections for all families, including rainbow families

• Effective protection from discrimination, violence, and hate speech

• Respect for the self-determination of trans people

• Protection of intersex individuals from non-consensual medical interventions

• Equal access to rights in employment, education, and healthcare

As Julia Kata from Trans-Fuzja Foundation points out: The community needs change – not in a year, or five or ten, but now. Despite fulfilling their civic duties, many people are still deprived of basic rights. We’re not talking about privileges or special treatment – we’re talking about dignity, safety, and respect for themselves, their families, and loved ones.

The 2025 Rainbow Map comes at a symbolic moment – just weeks before the end of Poland’s Presidency of the Council of the EU and the final days of the presidential election campaign. With safety becoming a dominant theme in public discourse, the ranking is a stark reminder that LGBT+ people are still treated as second-class citizens in Poland. True safety must include protection for all families and legal safeguards against violence and discrimination.

Poland’s minimal rise from last place in the EU is a symbolic closure of a chapter, and hopefully, a sign of legal progress ahead. This year’s ranking is published just before the presidential election – let’s vote for safety for all. The fact that Poland scored zero points in three entire categories must change – and we are working for that change – says Annamaria Linczowska from Campaign Against Homophobia (KPH).

Positive Changes and Concerning Regressions in Europe

This year, countries such as Germany made notable progress thanks to the Self-Determination Act, which significantly simplifies the legal gender recognition process.

Latvia also rose in the ranking after introducing civil partnerships, accessible to same-sex couples, and Czechia advanced by extending adoption rights to registered partners.

However, some countries moved backwards. Hungary, the UK, and Georgia saw a significant decline. Legislative bans on Pride marches and LGBT-inclusive events, as well as direct attacks on trans rights, reflect broader worrying trends.

As ILGA-Europe’s Advocacy Director Katrin Hugendubel warns: In Europe, we’re seeing legal changes that mirror not only Russian policy but also the rhetoric used in the US under Trump’s second term. Measures to restrict healthcare access for trans people and roll back diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts are designed to weaken protections, under the guise of defending tradition or public order. But their real aim is to entrench discrimination and silence dissent.

Want to learn more about this year’s ILGA-Europe Rainbow Map and Index? Download KPH’s overview (PL)

2024 was an impactful year for LGBT+ rights in Poland, especially because of the game-changing elections in 2023. It was a year of progress, advocacy, and collaboration across politics, law, community support, and business. Here is our look back at what happened!

Politics

Amendments to the Criminal Code Reached Parliament

KPH, together with other organizations working for LGBT+ people, met with Adam Bodnar and Krzysztof Śmiszek to talk about the need for changes to the Criminal Code regarding crimes and hate speech. Minister of Justice Adam Bodnar apologized to the LGBT+ community for the harm done by the country.

The draft amendment to the Criminal Code was submitted to the Parliament, KPH took an active part in public consultations on the project and, like many non-governmental organizations, submitted comments. On the initiative of KPH, a conference on this matter was also held in the Parliament.

Learn more:

Przeprosiny, prace nad ustawą o przestępstwach z nienawiści, nadzieje na partnerską współpracę – po spotkaniu w Ministerstwie Sprawiedliwości (“Apologies, work on hate crime legislation, and hopes for better cooperation were the main takeaways from the Ministry of Justice meeting.”)

Brak tożsamości płciowej w październikowym projekcie nowelizacji Kodeksu karnego – KPH składa uwagi (“Concerns raised over the lack of gender identity inclusion in the draft amendment to the Crimincal Code”)

Amendment to the Criminal Code on Hate Crimes and Hate Speech Is About Ensuring Everyone’s Safety – NGOs Claim

Civil Partnerships as a Government Project

On October 18, the Government Legislation Center (Rządowe Centrum Legislacji) published a draft bill on registered civil partnerships. NGOs submitted feedback and held press conferences both before and after the consultations.

Learn more:

Jest projekt ustawy o związkach partnerskich! (“The civil partnerships bill is here!”)

Konsultacje publiczne projektu ustawy o związkach partnerskich dobiegły końca. Zobacz wspólną opinię 14 organizacji LGBT+ (“Public consultations wrap up with joint opinions from 14 LGBT+ organizations.”)

The Commissioner for Human Rights took a Position on the Local Government Charters of Family Rights

The activities of the Equality Watch Coalition contributed to the repeal of 10 resolutions harmful to LGBT+ people in 2024. As a result, only three SKPR (Local Government Charters of Family Rights) resolutions remained in Poland, all in the Podkarpackie Voivodeship.

Learn more:

Progress in overturning discriminatory resolutions.

“Equal Family” Campaign

At the end of April, KPH launched the “Equal Family” campaign, the aim of which was to obtain answers from every MP from PSL and Poland 2050 about how they would vote on the law on civil partnerships. The community also got involved. A total of 12,350 emails were sent. KPH received responses from only 25 MPs, including only 2 responses from the PSL.

Learn more:

Zapytaj posłów i posłanki Trzeciej Drogi, jak zagłosują w sprawie związków partnerskich – Kampania Przeciw Homofobii | Kampania Przeciw Homofobii  (“Ask MPs how they will vote on civil partnerships”)

Zasłona milczenia PSL nad związkami partnerskimi i tęczowymi rodzinami. KPH podsumowuje akcję monitoringową “Równa rodzina” oraz apeluje do Donalda Tuska i PSL (“KPH calls on PSL and Donald Tusk to support civil partnerships law”)

Political Advocacy Academy and Advocacy Network

KPH launched the Political Advocacy Academy in collaboration with the Równość.org.pl Foundation. This initiative provided activists across Poland with the skills and knowledge needed for effective LGBT+ advocacy. Additionally, KPH formed an Advocacy Network focused on supporting civil partnership initiatives, attracting around 60 participants.

Learn more:

Akademia Rzecznictwa Politycznego za nami (About Political Advocacy Academy)

Sieć Rzecznicza (About Advocacy Network)

KPH’s Position on Ordo Iuris and Other Issues

KPH has signed, and in many cases co-created, positions and appeals on important issues relating to LGBT+ people. For example it was our reaction to the Ordo Iuris guide for schools, an appeal regarding SLAPPs or a position paper containing key information on the situation of LGBT+ people in Poland for an independent UN expert. KPH was also present in international advocacy.

Learn more:

Nowy rok szkolny – nowa nagonka. Interweniujemy w sprawie poradnika dla szkół Ordo Iuris (“New school year – new battue. We are intervening in the matter of the Ordo Iuris school guide”)

Razem przeciwko SLAPP – KPH podpisało apel społeczeństwa obywatelskiego (“Together against SLAPP – KPH signed the appeal of civil society”)

UN expert calls for swift and decisive action to protect LGBT people 

Legal Victories

TVP’s Apology for “Invasion”

After a lengthy legal battle, TVP apologized for the 2019 documentary “Invasion” which spread harmful misinformation about LGBT+ people during an election campaign. This legal win set a precedent for holding the media accountable.

Learn more:

Nie ma miejsca na homofobię w mediach publicznych – TVP musi przeprosić za “Inwazję”! (“TVP must apologize for spreading homophobia.”)

Jakub Kwieciński Won From TVP

The final judgment of the court of second instance was issued in the case of Jakub Kwieciński against TVP. The court confirmed the interpretation of the provisions of the so-called implementing act, according to which protection against discrimination in the workplace due to sexual orientation is available to every person, regardless of the basis of employment (B2B also). KPH supported the case financially as part of the strategic litigation program. Jakub was represented by attorney Paweł Knut and apl. adv. Milena Adamczewska-Stachura.

Learn more:

Ochrona przed dyskryminacją ze względu na orientację seksualną w miejscu pracy niezależnie od podstawy zatrudnienia – Jakub Kwieciński prawomocnie wygrywa z TVP (“Legal protection for LGBT+ workers strengthened.”)

Supreme Court Affirms “Rainbow Does Not Offend”

The Supreme Court ruled that placing a rainbow on religious icons does not constitute blasphemy. This decision upheld the rights of activists and rejected discriminatory interpretations of the law.

Learn more:

Tęcza nie obraża – końcowy wyrok Sądu Najwyższego ws. aktywistek oskarżonych o obrazę uczuć religijnych (“Rainbow is non-offensive icon”)

European Court of Human Rights Issued Another Judgment Against Poland

The European Court of Human Rights issued a judgment in the case of Katarzyna and Sylwia Formela v. Poland. The ECtHR again obliged Poland to introduce civil partnerships and found that the lack of legal protection and recognition of same-sex couples violates the European convention.

Learn more:

2:0 dla związków partnerskich – Polska po raz kolejny przegrywa w ETPCz. Brak prawnej ochrony i uznania par jednopłciowych narusza europejską konwencję (“Poland loses another case over civil partnerships”)

LGBT+ Community Support

Queer Cinema with Outfilm

KPH partnered with Outfilm (VOD platform for LGBT+ community) to bring LGBT+ cinema to smaller towns (under 200,000 people). Eight movie screenings were held. KPH also organized one in KPH’s office.

Learn more:

Zorganizuj Queerowe Kino z KPH! Pokaz filmu o osobach LGBT+ w Twoim mieście (“Host a queer movie screening in your town!”)

Grant Programs for Local Communities

Through funds like “Rainbow4.love” and “Building Equality Together,” KPH supported 23 groups with grants totaling over 179,000 PLN. Workshops were also held to boost skills in social media communication.

Learn more:

Razem z Rainbow4.love przekazujemy łącznie 50 tys. zł w ramach funduszu na lokalne inicjatywy LGBT+ (“Together with Rainbow4.love, we donate a total of PLN 50,000 PLN as part of the fund for local LGBT+ initiatives”)

Aplikuj do programu grantowego: “Wspólnymi siłami budujemy równość: wsparcie i rozwój dla lokalnych grup i organizacji LGBT+” (“Apply for LGBT+ local initiative grants”)

Supporting LGBT+ Visibility Days

KPH cooperated with various organizations and experts working for LGBT+ people (including QueerMuzeum, Zaimki.pl). Together, we prepared posts on social media regarding Visibility and Awareness Days related to the diversity of gender and sexual identities.

Supporting Equality Marches

KPH co-funded 15 equality marches, including first-time events in Kołobrzeg, Stargard, Włocławek, and Rawicz. The “On the Road to Equality” (“W drodze po równość”) fund provided 50,000 PLN in support.

Learn more:

Aplikuj o grant na organizację marszu równości w ramach Funduszu marszowego KPH “W drodze po równość” – Kampania Przeciw Homofobii | Kampania Przeciw Homofobii  (“Apply for funding for your equality march.”)

“Rainbow Friday” in Schools

The 8th edition of “Rainbow Friday” (“Tęczowy Piątek”) reached schools nationwide. Over 100 promotional kits were distributed, and 15 workshops were held in cities like Konin, Tychy, and Gdańsk.

Learn more:

Dziś odbyła się konferencja prasowa inaugurująca 8. edycję Tęczowego Piątku! (“The press conference inaugurating the 8th edition of Rainbow Friday took place today!”)

“Postcards from a Better World”

During events like the Women in Tech Summit and Warsaw Queer Week, KPH collected 400 postcards with heartfelt messages and dreams for a better future. These were delivered to the Prime Minister’s Office.

Learn more

Almost 40 Matronages 

KPH supported almost 40 initiatives related to the LGBT+ community! These included: events, films, books, exhibitions and performances.

Get to know some of them! 

“Pillars of Tolerance” Social Campaign

KPH has become a substantive partner of the nationwide social campaign Pillars of Tolerance (“Filary Tolerancji”). As part of the campaign, an artistic installation was created in a new urban space in Warsaw, intended for social campaigns. The illuminated installation includes images of ambassadors next to values ​​such as freedom, equality, security, acceptance, happiness and love. Public figures such as Julia Wieniawa, Tomasz Raczek, Maciej Stuhr, Ogi Ugonoh, Red Lipstick Monster and Maciej Musiał joined the campaign as Ambassadors. 

Wartości rozświetliły centrum Warszawy! Ruszyła kampania społeczna „Filary Tolerancji”, której jesteśmy organizacją partnerską! (“Values ​​lit up the center of Warsaw! The “Pillars of Tolerance” social campaign has started, of which we are a partner organization!”)

Business Collaborations

“Crowns of Equality” Awards 2024

KPH celebrated allies and organizations advancing LGBT+ rights during the “Crowns of Equality” gala. Awards were given in seven categories, and the event was supported by 12 business partners.

“Crowns of Equality 2024” – Watch Video

Renewal of cooperation with Kubota 

As part of cooperation with Kubota, 5 PLN from each pair of rainbow flip-flops sold was donated to KPH. Kubota also supported our Queer Cinema initiative by providing flip flops for some of the participants.

Learn more:

Kubota przekazuje część dochodu ze sprzedaży klapków Rzep Pride na wsparcie KPH (“Kubota donates part of the proceeds from the sale of Rzep Pride flip-flops to support KPH”)

Cooperation with Sephora Polska

In April, together with Sephora Polska, we organized Classes for Confidence – empowering workshops for transgender people, led by the Sephora Makeup Team in an inclusive, friendly atmosphere, with the support of KPH. 

During two Warsaw Equality Parades, together with Sephora Polska, we created Safe Space, where people could get their makeup done for free.

Learn more:

Bezpłatne warsztaty makijażowe Sephora dla osób transpłciowych (“Free Sephora makeup workshops for transgender people”)

Wybierasz się na Paradę Równości? Odwiedź „Safe Space”, które tworzymy wraz z Sephora (“Are you going to the Equality Parade? Visit the “Safe Space” that we create together with Sephora”)

LGBT+ Diamonds Awards

KPH received a special award recognizing 23 years of advocacy and support for LGBT+ equality in Poland. This acknowledgment inspires us to keep going!

Learn more:

NKPH received a special award at the LGBT+ Diamonds Awards 2024!

Good Language Guide with IKEA

Together with IKEA, KPH contributed to the “Good Language Lexicon,” which promotes inclusive communication and counters harmful stereotypes.

Learn more:

IKEA publikuje Leksykon Dobrego Języka, a w nim rozdział KPH dot. osób LGBT+ (“IKEA publishes the Lexicon of Good Language, including a chapter of the KPH regarding LGBT+ people”)

 

2024 was a year of hope, progress, and collaboration. With your continued support, we will keep striving for equality and visibility for LGBT+ people in Poland.

On November 29-30, 2024, the Zlot Obrończyń i Obrońców Praw Człowieka (Human Rights Defenders’ Gathering) took place – one of Poland’s largest events for civil society, providing a platform for representatives of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) from diverse fields to come together. During the event, Campaign Against Homophobia (KPH) led a panel focused on EU funding in the context of LGBT+ rights in Poland.

The Zlot for the third time was organized by Ogólnopolska Federacja Organizacji Pozarządowych, Inicjatywa „Nasz Rzecznik”, Sieć Obywatelska Watchdog Polska, Fundusz Obywatelski im. Ludwiki i Henryka Wujców, and Helsińska Fundacja Praw Człowieka.

Discussions during the event addressed topics such as the role of European funds in supporting democracy and fundamental rights, including LGBT+ human rights, as well as civil society’s plans and demands for Poland’s upcoming presidency of the Council of the European Union.

The Zlot Obrończyń i Obrońców Praw Człowieka provided an excellent opportunity for participants to share experiences, build connections, and strengthen relationships among NGO representatives.

KPH’s Panel 

On Friday, November 29, Olga Plesińska and Annamaria Linczowska from KPH hosted the panel titled “We Can Afford Equality – EU Funds and LGBT+ Rights in Poland. A Case Study of the Equality Watch Coalition.” They shared their experiences and encouraged other NGOs to explore unconventional and innovative solutions. They emphasized leveraging advocacy and EU funding regulations to combat discrimination and promote equality.

The Koalicja na Rzecz Równych Praw „Equality Watch” is the first coalition in Europe bringing together NGOs involved in EU Funds Monitoring Committees, focusing on upholding non-discrimination principles and the Karta Praw Podstawowych (Charter of Fundamental Rights). In 2023, 13 Polish organizations joined forces to challenge discriminatory anti-LGBT+ resolutions and Samorządowe Karty Praw Rodzin (Family Rights Charters).

Thanks to the efforts of KPH, activists, and organizations within the Koalicja na Rzecz Równych Praw „Equality Watch”, 101 discriminatory resolutions targeting the “LGBT ideology” and Family Rights Charters have been repealed. As a result, only three discriminatory resolutions remain in Poland, all being Family Rights Charters still enforced in the Podkarpackie region.

Award for Advocate Radosław Baszuk

On Saturday, the Nagroda Obywatelska im. H. Wujca (H. Wujec Civic Award) was presented to adw. Radosław Baszuk, for supporting activists in cases involving protests, border assistance, and alleged offenses against religious sentiments. He notably represented defendants in the case of the Tęczowa Maryja (Rainbow Virgin Mary) artwork. This award honors individuals who provide critical support to social and activist efforts. Congratulations to the laureate!

Thank You for the Opportunity

We are grateful for the chance to share our perspective during the Zlot and for the many inspiring conversations with participants. See you next year!

The UN Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, Graeme Reid, called on the Government in Poland to take swift and decisive steps to combat discrimination and violence against lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and other gender-diverse (LGBT) people.

“It is imperative that the Parliament take action on necessary legal reforms on equality in Poland, to address human rights violations,” Reid said in a statement at the end of his 10-day visit to the country. “LGBT individuals are negatively affected by the lack of adequate protections,” he said.

The expert said the slow pace of legislative reform by the Government was a source of disappointment and frustration for many of the 130 civil society representatives and government authorities he met across the country.

“I heard many heart-rending individual stories during my visit. A gay man denied access to his dying partner due to a lack of legal partnership recognition; trans people compelled to sue their parents to obtain legal gender recognition; children shut out of home, bullied at school, and struggling to find timely psychological support, among others. Fortunately, even small steps could go a long way in addressing these inequalities,” said Reid.

“I urge the authorities to adopt swift and decisive legislative reforms to bring Poland’s laws and policies into conformity with international human rights standards, including against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity,” he added.

The independent expert was in Poland from 18 to 29 November 2024, where he met government officials, civil society representatives, the national human rights institution, and LGBT people, in the capital Warsaw, Krakow, Lublin, Wroclaw and Poznan.

The expert welcomed the apology issued by the Government of Poland in December 2023 for State-sponsored discriminatory rhetoric against LGBT people in the past.

“In the aftermath of eight years of State-sponsored hostile rhetoric and public policies directed against LGBT people, the mental health consequences have been alarming. I heard reports of self-harm among LGBT youth in some parts of Poland – driven by rejection at home, bullying in schools, and inadequate access to health, education and psychological support to deal with those daily realities,” said the expert.

He also welcomed acknowledgements by government representatives that Poland’s law and policies are not fully in line with international standards – a determination that has also been made by international human rights courts – and that the authorities are working to better protect LGBT people from hate crimes, to enable same-sex civil unions, and to establish a clear legal route to gender recognition, among others.

The independent expert will present a full report on his visit to the Human Rights Council in June 2025.