report

The everyday fight

Polish politicians speak out homophobe attitudes publicly and suggest laws to ban homosexual teachers from school. In this interview is Monika talking about her personal situation and how her fight against homophobia looks like.

Since when have you been actively working with LGBT issues? Was there a special occasion?

I have been working with LGBT issues since the beginning of 2005. I got involved with Campaign Against Homophobia (KPH) thanks to my friend, who was a leader of the branch of the region I live in. In January 2005 I went to Stockholm to study and it provided me with a wide spectrum of activism and organizational work. I got many precious connections with various LGBTQ groups and organizations fighting homophobia and heteronormativity. This experience empowered and encouraged me to work in Poland to change the situation and of course the experiences gained in Sweden helped me a lot.

What does your work against homophobia look like?

My work against homophobia is done basically through international contacts, lectures during conferences, and helping KPH with different things – it depends on the need. It is based on spreading the word about the situation in Poland, providing my international friends often working for LGBT NGOs with information what happens in Poland, and thanks to that they are able to take some action from outside of the country having bigger impact, as they work on European level.

I guess my best lecture was Stockholm Pride 2006. I was talking about the situation in Poland and presenting Power Point presentation with pictures from Polish ‘parades’. The room was filled with people. It was very special, and emotionally draining I think, to talk about what happened and experience it all again in a sense. But I really enjoyed it!

What’s the most common reaction when you tell people about the situation in Poland?

People are shocked that the situation can be that bad in the 20th century and in a country which is a member of the EU. The shock is even bigger when they see pictures. They often ask what the political situation is or what the EU does to change it, etc. And I am very happy that every time I have a lecture I am in the position to open some eyes and make people aware that LGBT situation is not always so ‘perfect’ as in Sweden or the Netherlands. I’m really happy about that and that’s why I am always eager to do lectures.

Do you want to stay in Poland?

No, I don’t. I don’t want to stay in Poland because I don’t want be forced to fight every day to maybe be ALLOWED to live with the person you love. I know that maybe on one hand it may be seen as selfish and leaving the fight for others but I would like to live in the place I can be who I am and not be forced to apologize for it or be afraid. Now I have to impose some kind of a censorship on myself when at work, when talking to some people, etc. Maybe it is funny or unimportant for some short period of time, but at some point is unbearable.

What wishes do you have for Poland?

Well, I would only wish that this country could be proud of its citizens WHOEVER they are. And I would want to see that the politicians open their eyes and see that LGBTQ people are normal, worth, and amazing people. I would like to see equality.

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Monika Grzywnowicz is 24 years old and studies in Sosnowiec. Soon she is probably going to start her European Voluntary Service for the Swedish Gay Students Organization.

She already applied last year for it, but the Polish National Agency, run by the Ministery of Education, rejected the application. See here the official reason by the ministery: “The majority of members of the Selection Committee stated that project of Campaign is against the policy of raising children and youth, which is implemented by the Ministry. The policy of Ministry does not support actions that aim to propagate homosexual behaviour and such attitude among young people. Also, the role of Ministry is not to support cooperation of homosexuals organizations."

With the new Youth in Action programme there is only the need to have the acceptance of the host organisation in order to do an EVS. The Swedish national agency already adopted the application last year.