The year 2025 is slowly coming to an end.

Thanks to your support, we were able to continue our work throughout this time in support of the rights of LGBTQ+ people.

In the new year, we will keep moving forward with the same strong commitment. There will be time for summaries later — but already now, we want to say: THANK YOU!

KPH Team

There is still a lack of reliable, up-to-date and accessible information that could help rainbow families plan for or raise children. That’s why we are proud to announce the launch of the “Pride & Parent – Rainbow Parenthood in Poland” e-book – the first comprehensive publication created for women* planning parenthood in a same-sex relationship. The publication is available only in Polish – download it for free.

The publication combines the perspectives of queer women with the expertise of:
• Paulina Szupryczyńska – a midwife with many years of experience,
• Justyna Jezierska – a lawyer specializing in the rights of rainbow families,
• Wiola Stępień – a psychologist and therapist.

The e-book was created to support you in making informed and safe decisions within the realities of the Polish medical and legal systems.

What’s inside?

• Medical aspects – how to prepare for pregnancy, which tests to undergo, and what options are available in the Polish healthcare system.
  • Legal aspects – how to ensure your family’s safety, which documents should be prepared, and what risks to consider.
  • Practical guidance – how to connect with other rainbow families, where to find support groups, local initiatives, and trusted contacts.
  • Clear explanations of complex terms and processes, presented in an accessible and user-friendly way.

The e-book does not replace professional medical or legal advice, but it will help you understand the context, possible paths and challenges — and, above all, remind you that you are not alone.

Why does it matter?

This publication is part of our ongoing efforts to strengthen the visibility and real support for rainbow families in Poland.

Download the Polish version of the e-book now

 

Today, November 25, marks the final day to submit applications for the “Building Equality Together” grant programme — an initiative aimed at strengthening the capacity of local groups and organisations working for the LGBT+ community in Poland. The programme focuses particularly on those supporting LGBT+ children and youth, as well as trans, non-binary and intersex people, in towns and cities with up to 250,000 inhabitants.

Through this initiative, local organisations, collectives and activists have been able to create spaces of support, acceptance and visibility for LGBT+ communities across Poland. In previous editions, funding was awarded to organisations such as Fundacja COG, URequal, Fundacja CzuliMy, and Stowarzyszenie Tychy Osiedle Q, which implemented projects that strengthened local communities, built relationships, and promoted equality in smaller towns and regions.

Applicants are eligible to receive grants ranging from 5,000 to 10,000 PLN for initiatives focused on community building, education, culture and social integration. The total budget of this year’s programme amounts to 70,000 PLN.

Applications can be submitted until the end of the day via the online form, together with a completed budget attachment. For technical support, applicants may also send their completed materials by email to: wsparcieruchu@kph.org.pl.

More information about the programme is available in the regulations and FAQ on KPH’s website.

The programme “Building Equality Together: support and development for local LGBT+ groups and organisations” is implemented by the Campaign Against Homophobia (KPH) with the support of CD PROJEKT RED.

The initiative aims to strengthen the capacity of local groups and organisations working for the LGBT+ community in Poland (particularly those supporting LGBT+ children and youth, as well as trans, non-binary and intersex people) in towns and cities with up to 250,000 inhabitants. The deadline for submitting projects is November 25.

The programme continues KPH’s long-term efforts to empower and connect grassroots activists across the country, especially in regions where LGBT+ initiatives have limited access to funding and institutional support. This year, the fund once again offers local actors the opportunity to grow, gain experience in project implementation and create safe and inclusive spaces for their communities.

Funded activities may include:

• community building and support (e.g. peer groups, community meetings),
• education (e.g. workshops, trainings, networking events),
• culture and social integration (e.g. concerts, exhibitions, author meetings, or the creation of safe spaces for local LGBT+ communities).

Funding and timeline

Each selected project can receive a grant between 5,000 and 10,000 PLN, with a total budget of 70,000 PLN allocated for this edition.

• Application deadline: 25 November 2025 (23:59 CEST)
• Announcement of results: by 20 December 2025
• Project implementation period: 1 January – 31 August 2026
• Final report submission: by 21 September 2026
  

Applications can be submitted via an online form. In case of technical difficulties, applicants may also send their application and budget via email to: wsparcieruchu@kph.org.pl

The programme “Building Equality Together: support and development for local LGBT+ groups and organisations” is implemented with the support of CD PROJEKT RED.

 

At the end of this year, Mirka Makuchowska – director, longtime member, and co-founder of the Campaign Against Homophobia, will be leaving the organization after 20 years. Her duties will be gradually taken over from November by Miko Czerwiński – a person with extensive experience in activism, management, and advocacy.

What will Miko Czerwiński be doing?

Starting in January 2026, Miko will assume the position of Director at KPH. They responsibilities include implementing KPH’s new strategy, managing the team, and implementing structural and program changes within the organization. Miko will also maintain relationships with partner organizations, funders, the media, and decision-makers.

In the opinion of the KPH board, Miko was the best candidate, with the greatest experience in building relationships with donors, advocacy and many other areas crucial to the functioning of our organization – says Blanka Rozbicka, member of the KPH board.

It is with great excitement that I hand over the reins to Miko Czerwiński – a person with vast experience, vision, and energy. I am sure that Miko’s leadership role will take KPH to a new stage of development and enable us to achieve our mission even more effectively. Miko is the right person in the right place – says Mirka Makuchowska, current director of KPH.

A few words about Miko

Miko Czerwiński has been involved in activism for over 15 years. They serve on the board of the Równość.org.pl Foundation, served as co-chair of the KPH board, and worked as a manager in the campaigns and mobilization department at Amnesty International – focusing on sexual and reproductive rights and combating violence and discrimination. They support non-governmental organizations in strategic management, advocacy, and campaign design. Miko also has experience in development projects in East Africa (including collaboration with UN-HABITAT) and coordinating social projects in London. They hold a degree in cultural management from the Jagiellonian University.

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What emotions accompany you in your new role as director of KPH?

Miko Czerwiński: Taking on the directorship at KPH fills me with a mixture of gratitude, excitement, and responsibility. I feel I’m entering a new phase in which we have everything we need to make KPH an even stronger force in defending the rights of LGBT+ people.

I took my first steps in local initiatives and I know how fundamental the impact of activities that begin in communities, families, and neighborhoods is. These activities build a culture of support and openness and provide impulse for change that reaches far beyond our immediate surroundings. I also know that activism is not only about courage and a willingness to speak out where silence reigns, but also about invisible, arduous work that requires patience, consistency, and determination.

In my new role, I want to help focus this energy, support the community, and strengthen the entire LGBT+ movement. I’m thrilled that we can do this together. This is a time of courage, collaboration, and growth. I feel we are at a moment when we truly have the opportunity to change reality.

What values ​​underpin your vision of a world in which every LGBT+ person can live proudly? Where do you draw the strength and inspiration to make this vision a reality?

I come from a background in human rights and believe that LGBT+ rights are an integral part of it. Equality, dignity, and justice are not privileges; they are fundamental rights for each and every one of us. I am fueled by anger at injustice and the system that tries to limit and dispense them.

I am inspired by the story of the Chilean campaign against the dictatorship, “La alegría ya viene” (“Joy is Coming”). Change is a process, and hope is an effective political tool. I draw strength from moments of resistance and courage; queer joy is not an escape from reality, but a strategy of resistance and building a new order – based on mutual support, agency, and uncompromising authenticity.

I appreciate every move, every shift in the boundaries of the possible. It is from these small victories that lasting social change is born. And this gives me the energy to continue – specifically, consistently, and without illusions, but with the full conviction that the world can be turned right side up.

What are the biggest challenges the LGBT+ community faces today and what do you think is the key to overcoming them?

Today, the LGBTQIA+ community faces significant challenges. In Poland, there is still a lack of effective legal protection, and the movement often operates underfunded. The system forces us into competition, which consumes our energy and hinders us instead of leading to new, interesting, and innovative solutions. Meanwhile, globally, pressure from conservative movements, waves of disinformation, and attempts to reverse social progress are growing, forcing us to defend our achievements.

The key to overcoming these challenges is full mobilization and creative use of the movement’s energy. We need diverse paths to achieving a common goal. A diversity of strategies, collaboration, and the exchange of experiences allow us to transform tensions into strength. At the same time, we must not forget to invest in professionalism, security, and organizational development. Because a strong movement is a resilient movement, capable of actions with real impact.

What changes and initiatives would you like to introduce in the coming months to make KPH even more responsive to the challenges of the LGBT+ community?

I want to devote the coming months at KPH to strengthening the foundations of our organization and the entire LGBT+ movement in Poland. Above all, I want to increase the visibility and impact of our campaigns. So that the voice of KPH, and the entire community, is not only heard but truly inspires action and change.

At the same time, I want to strengthen the entire movement in Poland, support its competences, and build diverse funding sources that will ensure the independence and stability of our work for LGBT+ rights. I want KPH to be an organization that not only responds but anticipates challenges, doing so effectively.

I would like LGBT+ rights to be embedded in a broader conversation about the future of democracy and the rule of law in Poland and Europe. Because I believe that without our voices, experience, and vision for equality, it is impossible to create a truly open and just society.

What does effective change and effective action for equality mean to you?

For me, effectiveness in an NGO means combining passion with precision. It’s the ability to act with heart and empathy, while simultaneously planning, analyzing data, and evaluating outcomes. An effective organization measures success by its real impact on society and government structures.

Effectiveness also means resilience to crises, the ability to learn, adapt, and the courage to experiment. It’s the ability to build collaborations and alliances – with social movements, institutions, and the private sector – to collectively achieve goals.

We must also remember that systemic change is a marathon, and our effectiveness is measured by checkpoints. It’s worth noting smaller successes while resolutely pursuing our vision of the world.

Miko – we are glad that you are joining the KPH team, and that together we will build a Poland of equal rights!

This year, the annual ILGA-Europe Conference takes place in Vilnius from 22 to 26 October. The event is organised in cooperation with local partners – the Lithuanian Gay League (LGL) and the Tolerant Youth Association. The conference brings together activists and allies from across Europe and Central Asia, creating space for reflection, experience-sharing, and collective planning of future directions for the equality movement. Kampania Przeciw Homofobii (Campaign Against Homophobia) is represented in Vilnius by Miko Czerwiński and Miłosz Przepiórkowski, who will spend the next few days discussing the future of our movement.

This year’s theme, Facing the Future, reflects the unprecedented challenges our movement is facing. In a world where democracy is faltering and allies are disappearing, we come together to seek new strategies, languages of resistance, and forms of solidarity. The theme highlights the need to look ahead with courage, political clarity, and unity.

The ILGA-Europe Annual Conference is one of the most significant events for the LGBTI rights movement in Europe and Central Asia. Each year, it provides a vital space for collective reflection on strategy, solidarity, and the future.

Funded by the National Freedom Institute – Centre for Civil Society Development as part of the Governmental Programme for the Development of Civic Organisations for 2018–2030, Priority 5 – Emergency Support.

On September 25, Warsaw once again became the stage where the most important voices in the fight for equality were heard. During a festive gala crowning the seventh edition of the plebiscite, the Equality Crowns were awarded – distinctions that each year go to individuals, initiatives, and institutions bravely working for the LGBT+ community. This event, recognized as one of the most prestigious in Poland, is at the same time a celebration of courage, solidarity, and visibility.

In an online vote, it was the public who decided the recipients of the statuettes. The 2025 Equality Crowns were awarded in eight categories: activism, institutions, law, politics, media, internet, culture, and business. The honored individuals and initiatives proved that with consistency and determination, it is possible to truly change the world and write the history of equality in Poland.

Crowns of Equality 2025 Laureates

Activism: Kuba Gawron, co-author of the Atlas of Hate, for his determination in fighting “LGBT-free zones” and winning against Ordo Iuris.

Social changes and trends often come from us, from the activist community. We have great, though not obvious and not fully realized, power. Let’s not forget about it.

Institutions: Department for Equal Treatment, for preparing draft bills on civil partnerships and defending the Istanbul Convention.

It’s partly about cooperation, partly about community, partly also about looking for allies, about difficulties. I think that if we weren’t in the place we are now, we would regret not having tried.

Law: Paweł Marcisz and Marcin Górski, lawyers behind the case Szypuła and Others v. Poland before the ECtHR, confirming the need to recognize same-sex unions.

Paweł Marcisz: I accept this Equality Crown with joy spoiled by sadness, with a tear in one eye and hope in the other, because this legal progress is very slow, insufficient, and we are still far from the full equality we want to achieve.

Marcin Górski: I will say why these judgments must be enforced and why the law, which everyone present here is waiting for, must appear. Because it’s 2025.

Politics: Joanna Senyszyn, MEP, for consistent support of the LGBT+ community and pro-feminist actions.

There will be no true equality until we live in a secular state. That is the condition.

Media: Leonard Osiadło (OKO.press), for reliable journalism and ensuring the visibility of a queer perspective.

Poland, Polish women and men deserve marriage equality and a gender recognition law. NOW!

Internet: Mariusz Kozak, Sebastian Szarata, and Mariola Kozak, known from the program Gogglebox. Watching TV, for breaking stereotypes and showing the authentic life of LGBT+ families.

Sebastian Szarata: This award is proof that one can go from shame to pride. I want to tell everyone who is still afraid: your story can end in freedom.

Culture: Intergenerational Dancing by Paulina Braun, for queer visibility and intergenerational integration.

Silver Generation Power! Let’s remember older people, let’s remember that we too will be older one day. Let’s build intergenerational bridges. Let’s dance out this equality.

Business: Where is Willy, a brand created by Ksawery, for innovative products supporting trans people and promoting gender euphoria.

The fact that I am standing here and that Where is Willy has been recognized in this category is proof that we truly exist, that we function. We are able to provide ourselves with products, to fight dysphoria, but we are very grateful for the support.

 

Unequal rights granted to rainbow families in different countries remain one of the most serious challenges in Europe. How can EU citizens be guaranteed the right to freedom of movement, when crossing a border may mean losing parental rights or having a marriage, valid in one’s own country, not legally recognized? How, in the face of growing opposition to equality, can international alliances and political support be built? How can we counter regression in states that not long ago were leaders of change?

These are just some of the questions addressed during the conference “Ensuring equality for rainbow families in Europe”, organized by the Council of Europe and Malta’s delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. The event, held on September 12 in Malta, gathered parliamentarians, lawyers, representatives of social organizations, and rainbow families from across Europe.

In the panel dedicated to the role of parliamentarians, Mirosława Makuchowska, Director of Campaign Against Homophobia, spoke about the situation in Poland and KPH’s activities, including:

• the campaign “All Families Are Important”,

• cooperation with the movement of parents of LGBT+ people and the appeal signed by over 500 mothers and fathers,

• rainbow families who openly talk with politicians in the corridors of the Polish Parliament, calling for the adoption of a civil partnership law.

The conference was not only an opportunity to exchange experiences, but also to develop joint actions aimed at achieving equal protection and recognition of all families across Europe.

The first attempt to introduce a civil partnership law in Poland took place 22 years ago. In that time, an entire generation has been born, grown up, and gained the right to vote — and yet, despite political promises, nothing has changed. To this day, our country has no legal framework that guarantees protection and security for same-sex couples. Millions of gay, lesbian, and bisexual people living in relationships, building families in which an estimated 50,000 children are being raised, are tired of waiting! And not only them.

LGBT+ people do not live in isolation! Their families, friends, neighbors, and allies share the fear and frustration of those they love and care about.

That is why in the social campaign “All Families Matter”, organized by KPH together with the Tęczowe Rodziny Foundation, the Love Does Not Exclude Association, and the My, Parents Association, we are giving them a voice!

Watch the campaign video and meet its heroes

Sign the open letter in which the families and loved ones of LGBT+ people call on the Prime Minister and the leaders of the ruling coalition to take urgent action to protect and ensure dignity and respect for all families in Poland.

I’m signing the letter

Want to learn more — for example, about the challenges and struggles faced every day by the loved ones of people in same-sex relationships that are not legally recognized?

Visit the campaign website: www.wszystkierodziny.pl

Watch the press conference coverage

The Crowns of Equality are considered one of the most prestigious awards in Poland for work in support of the LGBT+ community. Decide who will receive this year’s awards – your vote counts until September 22 at www.koronyrownosci.pl.

Meet the nominated individuals and groups:

⭐ Activism: Kuba Gawron; Stowarzyszenie Tolerado; Queerowy Garwolin.

⭐ Institutions: Alina Szeptycka (Wrocław City Hall); Department for Equal Treatment; Municipal Cultural Center in Olsztyn.

⭐ Law: Paweł Marcisz and Marcin Górski (case Szypuła and Others v. Poland); Artur Pietryka, Dorota Pudzianowska and Marcin Górski (case Formela and Others v. Poland).

⭐ Politics: Joanna Senyszyn; Katarzyna Kotula; Magdalena Biejat.

⭐ Media: Leonard Osiadło; Małgorzata Sikora-Tarnowska; Wojciech Karpieszuk.

⭐ Internet: Nat and Jula (@lesbyzwro); Mariola Kozak, Mariusz Kozak and Sebastian Szarata; Vogue Polska.

⭐ Culture: Dancing Międzypokoleniowy; J. Szpilka; Karol Radziszewski.

⭐ Business: Lula Pink; Otwarte Serca Zaciśnięte Pięści – Sylwia Zaczkiewicz; Where is Willy.

Cast your vote!

Voting is open until September 22, 11:59 PM. Everyone who takes part will receive a surprise from OUTfilm – the queer streaming platform.

The winners will be announced on September 25 at 7:00 PM during the live awards ceremony streamed on the Facebook and YouTube channels of Campaign Against Homophobia (KPH).

 

During the workshop we conducted for Accenture, participants engaged in exercises based on real-life scenarios – situations where a child asks a difficult, emotionally charged question without openly sharing the identity. In small groups, we explored how key parenting practices – such as active listening, unconditional acceptance, and clear signals of support – can work in real life. The session was enriched by the personal story of a mother of a transgender son, who shared her journey: from uncertainty and fear to deep understanding and pride.

We are grateful to the Accenture team for inviting us to lead a workshop for parents – and for aunts, uncles, and all family members who have children and young people in their lives. Thank you for your attentiveness, openness, and willingness to engage in difficult conversations. Thanks to your involvement – and your decision to invest in this workshop – something more than just knowledge and skills has been strengthened. The energy from this training room will ripple outward – into local communities. It will become safe spaces, tender conversations, and small actions that make a big difference.

Through the trainings and workshops we provide for companies, we raise funds to launch the second edition of the “Wspólnymi Siłami” Fund. This fund supports grassroots groups working for LGBT+ people across Poland – especially in places where large organizations or systemic support don’t reach. These funds help us provide:

• a support group for transgender teenagers,
• meetings for parents who are trying to understand their child’s coming out,
• psychological support
• and a space where people can finally be themselves.

Would you like to support this work as an employer? Send us a message at biznes@kph.org.pl and let’s talk!

Words have power. The language we use every day – in emails, conversations, or corporate communication – can support diversity and foster a sense of belonging, but it can also unintentionally exclude. That’s why it’s so important to speak and write in an inclusive way.

We had the great pleasure of leading an inclusive language training for the Lipton Poland team. The session took place in an atmosphere of openness, kindness, and mutual respect – thank you for every reflection, question, and for sharing your experience. Participants showed exceptional engagement and attentiveness – it’s thanks to you that the conversation about equality and inclusive language was so meaningful.

During the training, we discussed, among other things:

• how to speak and write so that no one feels excluded or overlooked,
• why language plays a key role in building organizational culture,
• how to support LGBT+ people – not only during Pride Month.

All profits from our trainings go to the second edition of the „Wspólnymi Siłami” Fund, which supports local LGBT+ groups and organizations across Poland – especially in areas with the least access to support and visibility.

If your company has the space (and willingness!) to talk about language, diversity, and inclusion – reach out to us at biznes@kph.org.pl. Together, we can drive real change.

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

This past weekend (June 7–8), we held the “Pride & Parent” workshops – a unique space created for queer women, moms, and individuals with experiences of womanhood who are considering parenthood.

During the two-day gathering, participants had the opportunity to:

• gain practical knowledge about the legal and medical aspects of pregnancy and parenthood for LGBT+ people,

• hear personal stories and share their own experiences in a safe, welcoming space,

• meet others in similar situations and begin forming networks of community-based support.

The workshops were both educational and community-building. Our goal was for everyone to leave not only with more knowledge, but also with greater confidence and readiness for their parenting journey.

We are deeply grateful to all participants for their presence, openness, and trust!

What’s next?

Interest in the workshops exceeded our expectations – the spots filled up in the blink of an eye, showing just how needed initiatives like this truly are. That’s why we’re already thinking about future editions – including outside of Warsaw. To make that happen, we need your support. Organizing each session costs around 10,000 PLN – covering things like expert fees, venue rental, food, and materials. We want these workshops to remain free and accessible to every queer mom or queer woman* considering parenthood.

Support us in making future sessions happen. With your donation, we can create more queer, safe spaces where rainbow families and queer women* can talk about parenthood, ask questions, share experiences, and feel less alone.

Support our work

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)