Statement of the Campaign Against Homophobia and Lambda Warsaw
21/03/2007
By
Tomasz Szypula
Warsaw, March 15th, 2007.
Statement of the Campaign Against Homophobia and Lambda Warsaw in response to plans of the Ministry of National Education announced by Vice Minister Mr. M. Orzechowski
Campaign Against Homophobia and Lambda Warsaw strongly object to plans of the Ministry of National Education aimed at introducing legal prohibition on "homosexual propaganda" at schools (plans were announced by Vice Minister of Education Mr. Miroslaw Orzechowski during a press conference held on March 13th, 2007.). Furthermore both organizations consider a declaration of homosexual teachers dismissal (made at Tok FM radio on March 15th, 2007) indignant.
"Homosexual propaganda" is an equally preposterous term as "heterosexual propaganda". There is no way to promote sexual orientation similarly as promotion of an eye color or height is impossible.
Fighting with homosexuality is meaningless but it’s possible to fight with homophobia the most extreme form of which has been represented by the Ministry of National Education. The language used by Vice Minister Mr. Miroslaw Orzechowski who named homosexuality “one of perversions” is unacceptable. In 1991 the World Health Organization removed homosexuality form its list of diseases and mental disorders – words of Minister Orzechowski have not only been offensive but also deceitful. The same way indentifying actions of LGBT organizations with promotion of pornography or pedophilia is both offensive and deceitful. The objective of LGBT organizations is to fight against discrimination, prejudice and superstitions which apparently have been shown by the Ministry of National Education.
We are terrified with a concept of dismissing homosexual teachers from schools. Such practices violate not only Polish and EU legislation but also fundamental human rights.
Escalation of hatred towards homosexuals, introducing projects that resemble practices under totalitarian regimes – all those actions have influence on social reception of homosexuals. It translates directly to the public opinion which has already been biased and full of negative stereotypes towards gay and lesbian community.
Civilized countries of European Union, Poland is a member of which, pass legal bans on discriminatory practices based on sexual orientation and actively fight against homophobia. We hope that also in our country discriminated homosexuals will find protection instead of state persecutions. We do not know what means the "gay lifestyle" Prime Minister was talking about at the press conference held on March 13, 2007.
LGBT organizations function legally in Poland. Some of them have reached the status of public benefit organizations. All attempts to limit their activity, especially punishing anyone for cooperation with them constitute burning violation of civil liberties and rights stipulated by the Constitution of the Republic of Poland.
We are thunderstruck with indifference that accompanies apparent escalation of hatred towards homosexuals. National and European institutions should take strong measures in this area. Would similar ideas of hatred towards other social groups claimed by members of the government result in the same indifference and lack of response?
Members of Campaign Against Homophobia and Lambda Warsaw
Statement of the Campaign Against Homophobia and Lambda Warsaw in response to plans of the Ministry of National Education announced by Vice Minister Mr. M. Orzechowski
Campaign Against Homophobia and Lambda Warsaw strongly object to plans of the Ministry of National Education aimed at introducing legal prohibition on "homosexual propaganda" at schools (plans were announced by Vice Minister of Education Mr. Miroslaw Orzechowski during a press conference held on March 13th, 2007.). Furthermore both organizations consider a declaration of homosexual teachers dismissal (made at Tok FM radio on March 15th, 2007) indignant.
"Homosexual propaganda" is an equally preposterous term as "heterosexual propaganda". There is no way to promote sexual orientation similarly as promotion of an eye color or height is impossible.
Fighting with homosexuality is meaningless but it’s possible to fight with homophobia the most extreme form of which has been represented by the Ministry of National Education. The language used by Vice Minister Mr. Miroslaw Orzechowski who named homosexuality “one of perversions” is unacceptable. In 1991 the World Health Organization removed homosexuality form its list of diseases and mental disorders – words of Minister Orzechowski have not only been offensive but also deceitful. The same way indentifying actions of LGBT organizations with promotion of pornography or pedophilia is both offensive and deceitful. The objective of LGBT organizations is to fight against discrimination, prejudice and superstitions which apparently have been shown by the Ministry of National Education.
We are terrified with a concept of dismissing homosexual teachers from schools. Such practices violate not only Polish and EU legislation but also fundamental human rights.
Escalation of hatred towards homosexuals, introducing projects that resemble practices under totalitarian regimes – all those actions have influence on social reception of homosexuals. It translates directly to the public opinion which has already been biased and full of negative stereotypes towards gay and lesbian community.
Civilized countries of European Union, Poland is a member of which, pass legal bans on discriminatory practices based on sexual orientation and actively fight against homophobia. We hope that also in our country discriminated homosexuals will find protection instead of state persecutions. We do not know what means the "gay lifestyle" Prime Minister was talking about at the press conference held on March 13, 2007.
LGBT organizations function legally in Poland. Some of them have reached the status of public benefit organizations. All attempts to limit their activity, especially punishing anyone for cooperation with them constitute burning violation of civil liberties and rights stipulated by the Constitution of the Republic of Poland.
We are thunderstruck with indifference that accompanies apparent escalation of hatred towards homosexuals. National and European institutions should take strong measures in this area. Would similar ideas of hatred towards other social groups claimed by members of the government result in the same indifference and lack of response?
Members of Campaign Against Homophobia and Lambda Warsaw
