LGBT-free zone

Is homophobia bought with money? The issue arose after a decision by Polish authorities earlier this week.

At the time, three regions in Poland voted to repeal resolutions calling themselves free of "LGBT ideology."

"I want to draw your attention to the Polish government's lack of cooperation with the Commission in checking whether the resolutions adopted in Poland concerning so-called 'zones free of LGBT ideology' are compatible with EU law," wrote Helena Dalli, European commissioner for equality, in the letter sent to Polish Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau.

In April 2019, the administration of the surrounding province, also named Lublin, approved a similar declaration. The city of Lublin is the capital of the province, and like every good capital, it holds itself apart from the region it represents.

People take part in Equality March in support of LGBT rights in Wroclaw, Poland, 03 October 2020. EPA-EFE/Maciej Kulczynski

Several Polish municipalities have announced that they plan to sue a group of activists who created an "Atlas of Hate" map, depicting municipalities covering one third of the territory of Poland that had passed resolutions that activists argue discriminate  against LGBT people.

According to an "Atlas of Hate" map created by activists, an area greater than the size of Hungary has effectively become an "LGBT-free zone" in the heart of Central Europe. Campaigners and international bodies including the European Parliament have condemned the resolutions, saying they are discriminatory and undermine LGBT rights.