Isabella Ronca and Hedy Beloucif

GDANSK (Poland) – Thousands marched in support of homophobia as thousands of Poles protested Saturday’s seventh annual Equality March, which was held in Gdansk, a northern port city. It carried the slogan: “We have power!”

The marchers waved the rainbow flags from the LGBTQ+ community, and the blue, white, and transgender flag. They made their way through the city carrying placards that read “We make love, not war” as well slogans such “Jesus would come with us”.

A police spokesperson said that approximately 7,500 participants took part.

Sabina Joeck (24 years old) said, “It is difficult to be queer here in Poland. It’s so hard to feel comfortable being yourself.”

Gay rights in Poland are highly divisive. The country’s ruling nationalists made fighting what they call LGBTQ+ “ideology”, a central plank in their recent election campaigns.

The ideology of the religious conservatives is a hateful one, while liberal Poles claim that it promotes widespread discrimination.

A few protesters who opposed the march held Catholic Rosary beads and banners alleging the LGBTQ+ lobby sought to sexualise kids.

Margaret, a woman who protested against homophobia, said that she was not against them. “But I don’t want them getting to our children.”

Human rights groups refute the accusations that LGBTQ+ education in schools is meant to encourage children to sexualise.

Nikodem, a mathematician aged 40 who took part in the annual march, believes that attitudes toward LGBTQ+ persons in Poland have improved, although some politicians continue to demonize the community.

“Society, the mentality (of the people) are getting better and better,” he stated before the march.