Tens of thousands of people marched through the streets of Warsaw on Saturday demanding equality for LGBTQ people, as the community looks ahead to upcoming elections in Poland in which gay rights could play a prominent role.

LGBT parade in WarsawPhoto: Profimedia Images

The country’s ruling conservative nationalist Law and Justice (PiS) party has opposed what it calls “LGBT ideology” during previous campaigns. With elections in October or November in sight, activists expect PiS to use issues such as same-sex marriage or the teaching of LGBTQ issues in schools to mobilize conservative voters.

“I am almost 100% sure that it will happen again this year,” said Alicia Gerda, one of the organizers of the Equality March in Warsaw. “But I’m not too worried because we’re a very strong community and it won’t be easy to stop us from having our prides (marches) because it’s okay to be who we are,” she added.

PiS says expanding same-sex marriage and adoption threatens traditional family structures and harms children. The party also claims that teaching LGBTQ issues in schools leads to the sexualization of children.

“Children should not be exposed to practices that are certainly harmful to them and can lead to psychological changes that will negatively affect them in adulthood,” PiS leader Yaroslav Kaczynski said in May.

This vision, which is regularly presented in state media, strikes a chord with many voters in the predominantly Catholic country, Reuters noted. But critics say the government is trying to win votes by stoking prejudice against a minority that already faces widespread discrimination.

“We know that PiS can use any argument at this moment (…). That is why we want to show that today diversity, minority rights mean an open Europe, a Europe that is tolerant. This is Warsaw, and I think it will be Poland,” said Warsaw Mayor Rafal Tszaskowski at a press conference before the march.

As thousands of people celebrated the march to music, a group of anti-LGBTQ activists from the Life and Family Foundation burned rainbow flags, a symbol of the LGBTQ community. (Source: Agerpres)