Left-wing MPs troll Poland’s homophobe-in-chief Andrzej Duda at his swearing in with a kaleidoscopic display of queer solidarity
WOJTEK RADWANSKI/AFP via Getty
As Poland’s homophobe-in-chief Andrzej Duda was sworn in as president this morning, politicians from the left alliance looked on wearing a kaleidoscope of rainbow colours in a powerful display of solidarity with the LGBT+ community.
Duda was re-elected president last month following a bitter presidential campaign in which he lashed out at same-sex marriage and promised to ban same-sex couples from adopting children.
His electoral success has shattered the hopes and dreams of LGBT+ people across the country, with many already reporting leaving Poland in the hope of a better life abroad.
LGBT+ people are under attack in Poland – so the country’s left alliance decided to show their support for the community in the best way possible.
MPs in Poland turned up to the inauguration of Andrzej Duda wearing rainbow colours in solidarity with the LGBT+ community.
The 10 MPs turned up wearing a kaleidoscope of colours to represent the rainbow flag, and each one wore a Pride-themed face mask.
“The president of Poland should defend the rights of all citizens,” Magda Biejat, one of the protesting MPs from the left-wing Razem party, wrote on Twitter.
For me it was a strong message that we are not left behind. I know that the next few years will be difficult for our community but we won’t give up.
The representatives have been widely praised for the powerful show of support for queer people in Poland.
LGBT+ activist Magda Dropek, from Krakow, told PinkNews that she was “really touched” by the display from left-wing MPs on a “sad day” for queer people.
“For me it was a strong message that we are not left behind,” she said.
MPs in Poland’s parliament turned up to the inauguration of Andrzej Duda wearing the rainbow colours in solidarity with the LGBT+ community (WOJTEK RADWANSKI/AFP via Getty)
“I know that the next few years will be difficult for our community but we won’t give up.”
The politicians also won plaudits on Twitter from LGBT+ people and allies, with many praising them for bringing queer visibility to Duda’s swearing in.
Members of the Left, as always, in defense of people's freedom and dignity! ❤️🏳️🌈✌️
Today at the swearing-in of President of Poland Andrzej Duda: https://t.co/UzQ7hzRPnz
— DorotaMasłowska☮️🇵🇱🇪🇺 (@BcDotim) August 6, 2020
https://twitter.com/harrysenigma/status/1291290977043447809
Today in #Sejm @AndrzejDuda is being sworn in as Polish president. Members of Left coalition came in rainbow mask and… look ❤🧡💛💚💙💜 The kind of solidarity we need after campaign of hate, thank you! Rainbow is not an offence, #LGBT are human beings #Poland pic.twitter.com/dj26Y9UTJd— Magda Dropek (@magdadropek) August 6, 2020
🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️Today during the inauguration of the homophobic president of Poland, Andrzej Duda, politicians from the @__Lewica , the left-wing coalition, came dressed as a rainbow flag as a statement against the discrimination and oppression in our country.
RT so the world knows ❤️ pic.twitter.com/VuusiVjIQl— Sara Jawad (@SaraJawadRazem) August 6, 2020
Duda hinged his re-election campaign on his firm opposition to LGBT+ rights – and it appears to have won him popular support in the country, where queer people have become increasingly marginalised over the last year.
The ultra-conservative politician, who was backed by the ruling Law and Justice party, attacked “gay ideology” early in his re-election campaign, setting the stage for his offensive views.
