Human rights movements in the UK are uniting to welcome the ‘Make Poland Queer Again’ Tour. The activists are bravely resisting the Polish Government as it pushes through the ‘STOP LGBT’ law that would ban Prides in Poland.
International solidarity is vital to support what is being referred to as the Polish ‘Stonewall’ uprising. The purpose of the delegation is to welcome four leading LGBTQIA+ Pride activists and artists on the frontline of confronting the Polish Governments sexist and homophobic ‘LGBT+ Free Zone ideology.’
The launch night is being held at one of East London’s premier LGBTQI+ venues, The Glory, and is entitled ‘Solidarity is Our Weapon.’
Nettie Pollard, Gay Liberation Front (GLF) told QX,
“From the start, the London Gay Liberation Front stood in solidarity with oppressed people worldwide. No one will be truly free until we are all free. Bob Mellors, who was co-founder of GLF here, decided to emigrate to Warsaw and was so happy there. The Gay Liberation Front London sends revolutionary greetings and deep admiration at your bravery in taking part in the triumph for love and justice that was Pride this year.”
Marzena Zukowska further commented,
“The rise in homophobia, anti-immigrant sentiment and attacks on women’s rights is not unique to Poland. Across the globe, from the UK to Brazil, from Poland to India, we have seen conservative governments and far-right politicians seed divisions and pit our communities against each other. Solidarity in our activism is our greatest weapon. If we fight for the rights of queer and trans folks, then we must also reject border regimes to stand up for migrant communities. If we are advocating for reproductive freedom, then we must be ready to say Black Lives Matter. Our liberation is tied to one another.”
Łukasz Jurewicz, Stonewall Poznan activist, queer show producer and host, added,
“Being an activist in Poland is hard. Before I met Dan, the ‘Make Poland Queer Again’ network, and other bright souls from London, I thought Europe doesn’t care about us. Now I know they do care, they want to help and take part in our fight. I’m so excited to visit London and meet activists who fought for equality many years before I was born. Meeting them will be so inspiring!”
Monika Tichy, Women’s Strike and Pride organiser,
“Six years of constant fight against The Dark Side is devastating. We are like the Rebellion, hammering X-Wings in a garage when the evil Empire of the cath-church and gov’t has the Death Star and a whole fleet of Star Destroyers. Brave London activists and the history they made helps us with the message that no matter how small you are, the Good finally wins. Travel to the Fighters who brought the whole nation from penalizing same-sex love to same sex marriage in their lifetime will give us hope and energy to continue our struggle. We’ll also pay honors to Suffragettes to whom we are indebted for voting rights we have today. May the Queer Force be with us.’
QX heard from other activists who are fighting for change in Poland:
“As a Polish queer living in London, the thought of going back home to Poland frightens me. It makes me sad that that’s where we are now, in the 21st century. That queer Polish people have to be afraid to be themselves or to even be in our home country… That’s why we fight – at home and abroad. For queer freedom everywhere!” – Magda Oljejor from the Feminst Library, academic and activist
“Moments like these are vital for us to maintain the fight for equality in Poland – we don’t feel left alone, there’s a clear, tangible proof that our trials and tribulations are being seen. Getting funding and creating think-tanks are just as important as that perception of being a part of a bigger, worldwide community that won’t leave us to the wolves.” – Avtomat, Queer composer, producer, DJ and vocalist
“The Muslim LGBT Network have stood in solidarity with the Polish community and made our presence felt at the Polish embassy in the UK, where we joined Polish Rainbow UK and the Polish LGBT Network in condemnation of ‘Make Poland Queer Again’ and ‘LGBT+ Free Zone ideology.’ We welcome the tour to the UK. As LGBTQ+ Muslims, we are part of a global struggle for human rights and fully support our Polish allies in all their endeavors. Solidarity!” – Ejel Khan, Muslim LGBT Network Coordinator and human rights activist.
“I am joyful to witness new forms of transnational solidarity among queer people and our allies across the borders. In my artistic and research oriented work I’ve turned recently to investigate our shared past. Story of Bob Mellors is a deeply humane one, it is a tale of love, liberation, desire and mutual curiosity between the West and the East. Bob asked (himself), repeatedly: What can the West actually offer to the East? What can we, today, offer to one another, in this moment of time, “in this economy?” Let’s talk, okay? We’re only beginning.” – Szymon Adamczak, Dramaturg, theatre and performance maker
Watch the i-D documentary on Poland’s modern Stonewall
Monday Nov 22 – Buy your tickets ‘Solidarity Is Our Weapon’ tickets here – suggested donation £5 – and join us at The Glory from 7.30pm.
There will be a screening of ‘Never Again – Fighting the Polish Far Right’ and a panel and Q+A with: Avtomat – Queer composer, producer, DJ and vocalist; Monika Pacyfka Tichy – Women’s Strike and Pride organiser; Łukasz Jurewicz – Stonewall Poznan activist, queer show producer and host; Szymon Adamczak – Dramaturg, theatre and performance maker
Followed by a Performance by Xrol from SLAV 4U – the UK’s Polish drag collective and the world’s biggest queer Polish party celebrating Slavic culture and Polish pop! Na zdrowie! and then 9.30pm – 10.30pm – Premier UK set by Avtomat!
All profits go to Lambda Szczecin and Fundacja Ocalenie.
