Poland's president vetoes recognition for gay couples
Marriage Equality remains a long way off for the country's LGBTQ community.
The president of Poland, Karol Nawrocki, has vetoed two bills that would have extended legal recognition to same-sex couples.
The legislation had been passed by the parliament of Poland - led by Prime Minister Donald Tusk and a progressive coalition.
The new laws would have created a mechanism for same-sex couples to confirm their legal status in relation to medical information, property rights, and funeral arrangements. These proposed "cohabitation contracts" were a long way off anything approaching marriage equality.
In vetoing the legislation, President Nawrocki - who is seen as a conservative - stated that the proposed cohabitation contracts were too similar to marriage.
“These proposals create a new, formalised institution of family law, equipped with a broad catalogue of rights similar to those of marriage...” said the President, in a statement released to the media.
The President went on to say that the bills would lead to “the loss of the special status of marriage,” defined as “a union of a man and a woman under the protection and care of the Republic of Poland.”
What's life like for LGBTQ people in Poland?
What's life like for LGBTQ people in Poland? Let's take a look at some of the key equality indicators.
Is homosexuality legal in Poland?
Yes.
The legal history is a bit complicated but you could say that homosexuality was decriminalised in 1945.
Are there anti-discrimination protections in place for LGBTQ people?
There are some limited employment-based protections.
Is there Marriage Equality in Poland?
No. Poland’s 1997 constitution states that a marriage is between a man and a woman.
What's life like for LGBTQ people in Poland?
Poland remains a very socially-conservative country, with the Catholic Church a big player in shaping public opinion.
Religious conservatism is a powerful force in sustaining systemic homophobia.
The most recent ILGA report on LGBTQ Equality across Europe ranked Poland in 39th position overall. With an overall score of 21.5%, Poland scored weakly across all assessment criteria, making it one of the worst countries in Europe for LGBTQ people to live.
