The European Court of Human Rights ruled yesterday that current Polish president Lech Kaczynski violated the law when he tried to ban 2005’s Warsaw Gay Pride. Acting as Warsaw’s mayor, the fierce homophobe – and rumored homosexual – refused to allow gay men and women to show their pride, thus sparking a two-year legal battle.
In their statement, the court ruled:
The positive obligation of a State to secure genuine and effective respect for freedom of association and assembly was of particular importance to those with unpopular views or belonging to minorities, because they were more vulnerable to victimisation.
They found Kaczynski and his staff guilty of three charges: violating freedom of assembly and violating the right to an effective remedy. Kaczynski did not release a statement. Secretary of State Maciej Lopinski, however, mentioned that the president may take further action.
Meanwhile, a number of gay activists came out to praise the legal victory. Campaign Against Homophobia president Robert Bierdon remarked:
It’s a very important step towards equality for gay and lesbian people in Poland, and I think also in several other countries in central and eastern Europe.
Britain’s West Midlands MEP Michael Cashman also foresaw great things:
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
This ruling is first and foremost the victory of courage; it took courage for Polish LGBT activists to decide to fight this decision right through to Strasbourg.
Their actions were rewarded, and in doing so have become shining examples of what it is to be a human rights defender in 21st century Europe.
Certainly a day of celebration in Poland, where it’s – coincidentally enough – Constitution Day.
MEP Praises Polish Gay Activists in Wake of Euro Court Ruling [UK Gay News]
Kaczynski’s Ban of Warsaw Gay Pride in 2005 Violated Euro Human Rights – Court [UK Gay News]
Jake McNurrman
Homosexuality is a distruction to the world
Werner Hanses
Bigotry is destructive to the world!
Homosexuality makes the world gay! 🙂
Manoj Chadha
Homosexuals are selfish and arrogant people.
But there’s good news, it’s never too late to get medication and get normal.
You can change.
Believe me you will not regret.
Your grand grand papa was normal, your grandpa was normal, your dad was normal and the chain stops on you,
unless you take action and change; isn’t that weird?
Good Luck it’s worth it!
Btw. Kaczynski is alright man but the stupid political correctness getting out of control.
Adam
From everything i have seen as a straight person, I can honestly say and swear this to God, if the whole world was gay, it would be a eutopia. I hang around a gay club because it is by far the best bar in the city and it is the only place where you see no fights, no harrassement, and when talking to the people they are the most considerate, kind and intelligent people I have ever met. They are in my opinion what could be referred to as an almost perfect person in every way. Cleanliness, kindness, open-minds, you feel completely comfortable.
So from a strait man, i think the radical Christians have a big misunderstanding because according to Christian values it will be the GLBTQ community going to heaven and the ones casting the first stone and showing judgement and discrimination on his children will be the ones who will stay in limbo.
Sorry but its true, I honestly do not believe any homophobe has tried to understand or even to put themselves in those shoes. I can not even comprehand myself how aliegnated GLBTQ communities must feel based on the judgement of their unhumane brothers and sisters.