strona główna / spis treści / Str.5

On the 8th of June 2008 the streets of Warsaw looked especially bright and colourful due to the Gay Pride, which took place that day in the centre of the city. Hundreds of homosexual people came out, holding variegated symbols of LGBT community - any item containing six-colour rainbow. Those were flags, umbrellas, posters, etc. The crowd looked happy and merry, since the Equality Parade is the only day in a year when one doesn`t have to be ashamed of who he/she really is. In the procession participated not only queer people, but also heterosexual couples of different ages. They all came to show their tolerance and respect towards people struggling for their rights. A lot of foreign guests from all over the world came to support polish homosexuals.
Though polish society is supposed to be modern and up-to-date, in fact it is not that tolerant to queer people as it should be. Few people care that the rights of such a large group of people are broken. It will take much time and effort to change people`s minds and make them realize that the homosexuals are competent members of the society, and no wonder that besides having responsibilities they require equal rights. If queer people live their lives the same way as a typical citizen – go to work, pay taxes, don`t break the law – then why don`t they have the same rights? Why can`t they fulfil their dreams and adopt a baby, register their relation or simply come out? Because at best their behaviour would be considered as obscene, and if worst comes to worst – it may simply be dangerous. The majority of LGBT people have to conceal their orientation because of public condemnation and blame. The reason why most “normal” people reproach homosexuals is often a lack of knowledge. Here are some of the most common stereotypes:
- Homosexuality is a choice
- Queer people intercourse with one another disorderly
- They are the main source of AIDS
- Homosexuality is a temporary phase of life
- All gay men are feminine and lesbian women are masculine
But most often gays are hated without any reason, just because they are different. The country which is the member of EU and which is supposed to be modern and tolerant should change the policy towards such a sizeable group of its citizens and make everybody equal in their rights. Only when the government gets that homosexuals are not worse than the rest are and fulfils their needs and desires, the society will be healthy.