The civilized world was stunned this weekend when Nobel Peace Prize-winning labor activist and former Polish president Lech Walesa told an interviewer that gays shouldn’t serve in the Polish parliament and that the LGBT community should “adjust to smaller things.”
Turns out we shouldn’t have been so stunned. As AksarBent reports, Walesa has a history of homophobic statements:
* In 2005, Walesa called homosexuality “intrinsically evil”
* In 1990, Walesa allegedly told delegates at a Polish Solidarity convention that he would “eliminate” homosexuals from Polish society if he were elected president. As a result, activists in San Francisco petitioned civic leaders to rename the city’s Lech Walesa Street.
We’ve seen allies emerge from the most unexpected corners—guess it’s only logical that our enemies would TKPoland, staunchly Catholic and historically hostile to political equality for its gay citizens, is evolving. Noted Vera:
…However, much has changed. A watershed moment came in 2011 when a new progressive and anti-clerical party – Palikot’s Movement – entered Parliament for the first time. Taking seats for the party were Anna Grodzka, a transsexual, and Robert Biedron, who is openly gay. These were all historic firsts.
Kieran
Did you hear the latest Polish joke?
Lech Walesa.
Ogre Magi
He is catholic, what do they expect?
Caleb in SC
I am glad that I am still young enough to be around in 20-30 years when all of these old fossils — Lech Walesa, the GOP, etc. — die out, and their hate with them.
1EqualityUSA
Like spores, hate begets more hate. I’ve become more hateful, just since I started reading about all of these people. BJ McFrisky called me on it and I have to say, it’s true. Republicans, Romney, Catholics, NOMsters are all on my shit list. Before 2008, I didn’t even have a shit list. So, Caleb, hate creates more hate. Unedifying, isn’t it… I’m not sure how to proceed. Equality comes at a price.
Chad Hunt
@1EqualityUSA: There is a big difference in hate for people and a hate or disgust for what they stand for. We have to see good in people in order for people to be expected to see good in us. I certainly do not know your mind set but just because you may hate what someone says, does, or thinks, in a given situation, does not mean you hate the person entirely. I’m sure there is even something lovable about Rush Limbaugh, what it is I couldn’t tell you but I’m sure there is something. LOL
Caleb in SC
@1EqualityUSA: I try to cultivate a Zen attitude as much as I possibly can. Actually, keep reminding yourself that they are so hateful because they are ignorant and afraid. Keeping that in mind always makes me chuckle inside.
1EqualityUSA
I really can’t stand Romney. I hate his bogus Mormon cult, his lack of empathy, his phoniness, his insensitive nature, his cruelty, his mistreatment of animals, his childhood “pranks”, his looks, his anti-gay bigotry, his sense of entitlement, his staccato speaking style, his everything. Before 2008, I, likely, would have just seen him as some creepy bug in a jar, but now, I really am repulsed by him. McFrisky is right, I hate him. That’s good to be made aware of, for my own sake, but I’m not sure how to undo it.
the other Greg
@Chad Hunt: Rush Limbaugh is said to be an extravagant tipper to restaurant waiters (I saw this in a NY Times story on him). That’s the only remotely “good” thing I’ve ever heard about him. Perhaps he is just trying to avoid having gay waiters spit in his food.
@1EqualityUSA: I don’t know where some liberals & lefties get this bizarre idea that “hate” is somehow a bad thing and that we should be Kumbaya all the time. Says who? Unless you took your profound thoughts during your LSD trip at age 22 way too seriously, where does this crazy sh1t come from? In ordinary everyday life, it’s impractical. As we see in your example, it is just a way for right-wingers like McFrisky to make you feel guilty about being (supposedly) hypocritical. Tell him to go fuck himself!
gaymaniac
He hated the Soviet Union, but he must be LOVING modern Russia:
Merv
There’s nothing wrong with gay people hating Christians. They are our enemies, and hatred can be a good motivator. We don’t have to ape their hypocritical “hate the sin, love the sinner” crap.