The History of Gay People in Poland

The gay community has suffered a long and terrible history. Although many countries and many people accept them for who they are, it will still take a while for the gay community to achieve full acceptance from every country on earth. One of the countries that least participated in the persecution of gay people was Poland.

Like most other European countries, homosexuality was stigmatized, and many gay people were imprisoned for expressing themselves and for secreting engaging in same-sex relationships. There is a long history of gay persecution in the country currently known as Poland and the region before. Since Poland was a Christian Empire run by the Catholic Church, most of the attitudes against homosexuality came from the church. Like the Austro-Hungarian empire and the Prussian, the kingdoms that used to govern Poland had anti-gay and anti buggery laws. So this means gay people were not treated better in Poland compared to other countries in Europe. But many people do not understand this misconception. It is true that since Poland had no written laws against gay people and same-sex relationships until the early 1900s, it was more tolerant than its European neighbors.

Actually, all anti-gay laws came from the former empire that used to rule the area. The region known as Poland now used to be called the duchy of Warsaw, controlled by the Russian Empire until 1815. When Poland was rulled by Russian Empire -the leaders of Poland did state that homosexuality was illegal. When the New Kingdom of Poland was formed, lawmakers didn't change all of the old laws against homosexuality and same-sex relationships originally from the previous empire. Attitudes and social conventions had not changed in favor of homosexuality. But LGBTQ people may be able to find respite from persecution in the Catholic church.

The brother-joining ceremony

Despite these anti-LGBTQ attitudes, there was actually a homosexual joining ceremony in a church. This ritual has been practiced since the 13th century, This is very surprising since Catholicism has always had a solid and firm stance against homosexual relationships, but Poland was a region where this Catholic approved ceremony was performed. During the ceremony, a priest would recite vows while two people of the same-sex stood before him. This couple was usually male, but women did take part in the ceremony too. Gay women were looked down upon and sometimes imprisoned for engaging in same-sex relationships. But the Catholic Church took a far more intense stance on men who engaged in same-sex relationships.

How gay relationships and sex were punished

So what would happen if a gay man or a gay woman was caught and tried for crimes of homosexuality? Like in whole Europe that days - unfortunately, many gay people were imprisoned when they were either caught or suspected of same-sex attraction. But, there are not many records that show gay people were hanged or sentenced to death for their “crimes.” There were only two official death sentences for “crimes against nature” from the 12th to the 19th century. In England hanging gay peoples was in on a regular basis.

Because of the negative view of gay people, those in power sometimes had accusations of gay behavior against them by rival family members and political opponents, especially if they were in a position of power.

Recent history

Throughout the 1960s, 1970’s 1980’s, Many different organizations from around Western Europe tried to put down roots in Poland in an effort to increase LGBTQ spaces and acceptance. They also set up different networks for aids outreach. They also created a small gay subculture in some of the larger cities. But because of the Catholic Church, it was much more difficult for these activists to create these safe game spaces. And because of Cold War and communism in Poland many activists were arrested during this time. Again: Russian law, and Russian habbits "do the black work". Also, in 1985, many different people around the country and in major universities were arrested as part of a program called Operation Hyacinth.

Current view of LGBT people and rights

Surprisingly, homosexuality and same-sex relationships were decriminalized all the way back in 1932, so gay people could no longer go to prison before having sex with someone of the same gender or being in a relationship with someone of the same gender. While decriminalization protects the homosexual community and acknowledges that gay people are not unnatural, it still does not mean that anti-gay attitudes improved in Poland faster than in any other country.

While gay and lesbian sexual activities are no longer illegal in Poland, there is a limit to how the law regards gay marriage. There is no gay marriage in Poland, and there are no civil unions as well.

Even though many countries around Poland are more accepting of the LGBTQ community, this attitude has not taken a big hold within the country. Acceptance has dropped considerably, not that it was ever at an all-time high. Life is worse for gay people. Many towns within the country have declared themselves LGBTQ free and are openly hostile to any gay people who live around their town. This movement started less than ten years ago, and now over ⅓ of the country has adopted this practice. Gay people say that they worry about their safety in Poland and some people want to leave the country entirely. Many physical attacks happen at pride parades and gatherings, and the police have to watch over the gatherers, or they will be targeted.

Conclusion

Although the country of Poland never had its own laws against homosexuality until 1915, some laws were carried over from the previous kingdom. However, there were some areas of Polish society where gay people were accepted as long as they have their blessings from the church and a priest. Unfortunately, Poland is still struggling with a lot of anti-LGBTQ registration and social attitudes. While it is good that homosexuality was decriminalized back in 1932, the country still has a long way to go.