We in the US need to have the same hope and constant drive as the LGBTQ+ in Poland. See their government is anti-LGBTQ+ and the leader calls them “evil”. But they did not give up and kept working to change the hearts and minds of the people. And it is working. We need to do the same. Hugs.
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The proposed legislation still has a long way to go, but advocates are optimistic.
June 10, 2018: Warsaw’s LGBTQ pride equality march
Poland made a landmark move for LGBTQ+ rights after it banned hate speech against sexual orientation and gender in a new set of regulations.
Currently, the country’s laws prohibit hate speech on the basis of race, religion, and ethnicity. “These provisions do not provide sufficient protection for all minority groups who are particularly vulnerable to discrimination, prejudice and violence,” the national justice ministry said.
After years of government persecution, the move was unprecedented.
“The new regulations aim to more fully implement the constitutional prohibition of discrimination and to meet international recommendations on standards of protection against hate speech and hate crimes,” the ministry added.
The United Nations Human Rights Council has previously criticized the country’s lack of hate crime protections for LGBTQ+ individuals.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk approved the new legislation. It now moves on to Parliament. If Parliament passes it, President Andrzej Duda will have the option to sign it into law or pass it. He has previously stated that he believes LGBTQ+ individuals are “evil.”
However, Duda’s final presidential term ends next year, and the ruling party hopes they can get someone to replace him in time to sign the legislation into law.
Bart Straszewski, an LGBTQ+ activist in Poland, told PinkNews, “I felt like a second-category citizen, and we were treated like second-category citizens. The government is telling you that you don’t deserve equal rights, that you are not creating families, and that you are an agent of the West trying to fight family values or tradition.
“The atmosphere was hostile. We felt that they didn’t want us here, but we still were here, we still were fighting for our country because we are part of it,” Straszewski added.
Poland previously has not been friendly to LGBTQ+ rights. During the Law and Justice (PiS) party’s time in power, the country became one of the most viciously anti-LGBTQ+ countries in Europe. Cities designated themselves “LGBT-free” zones and government-run media outlets regularly demonized and spread lies about the queer community. Gay reporters were fired from publications as part of the national purge.
However, advocates have been working tirelessly to grant protections for LGBTQ+ individuals. A TV anchor apologized this year for his past anti-LGBTQ+ statements and came out in support of the community. Activists also rejoiced when the Polish Supreme Court ruled that same-sex marriage is not illegal, per Poland’s Constitution.
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This is good news and shows why so many are moving into California and out of places like Florida. Students should feel free from fear while learning. They also should feel free to be their authentic self in a supportive atmosphere. School is a time to learn about the world, other people, subjects, and about one’s self. And not all kids have safe supportive homes. Hugs.
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Miguel Gutierrez Jr.
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CalMatters
Supporters of transgender rights gathered at the Capitol during a press conference on March 17, 2022.
Amid a flurry of recent school board policies aimed at the rights of transgender students, California passed a new law in July that prevents schools from requiring staff to notify parents if a student identifies as LGBTQ.
“Teachers can still talk to their parents,” Gov. Gavin Newsom said at a press conference on Monday in which he touted a new plan to improve career opportunities for adults. “What they can’t do is fire a teacher for not being a snitch. I don’t think teachers should be gender police.”
LGBTQ advocates said that “forced outing” policies, such as those adopted in Chino, Temecula and a dozen other districts, infringe on students’ privacy and could potentially harm students whose parents disapprove of their identity.
The state sued to stop Chino’s policy, and most districts either scrapped their policies, tweaked the language or put them on hold.
This act “could not be more timely or necessary, and LGBTQ+ students across California can breathe a sigh of relief,” Tony Hoang, executive director of Equality California, which advocates for LGBTQ rights, wrote. “LGBTQ+ youth can now have these important family conversations when they are ready and in ways that strengthen the relationship between parent and child, not as a result of extremist politicians intruding into the parent-child relationship.”
‘The battle continues’
Opponents of the new law said that parental notification policies actually strengthen ties between students and parents, and schools should not withhold information on such important matters. Even though a parental notification measure that would have applied to all schools failed to qualify for the ballot, opponents vowed to keep fighting.
“This (law) doesn’t clarify anything. And nothing prevents individual teachers from bringing the issue up with parents,” said Roseville school board member Jonathan Zachreson, an organizer of the failed ballot measure and whose district was among those that passed parental notification policies. “So the battle continues.”
The new law also requires the state Department of Education to update its LGBTQ resources and encourage school districts to offer counseling, support groups, clubs, anti-bullying policies and other measures to support LGBTQ students and their families. Schools would have to pay for those services with their existing funding.
“I don’t think teachers should be gender police.”
Gov. Gavin Newsom
LGBTQ young people are particularly vulnerable on school campuses. In a recent survey of 18,000 LGBTQ young people nationwide, nearly half said they had been bullied in the past year, and 10% said they had attempted suicide. Those whose schools supported LGBTQ rights were less likely to suffer from mental health challenges.
Even if the new law sparks a backlash in more conservative areas of the state, California was right to move forward with it, especially as some states push ahead with their own parental notification policies, said USC education professor Morgan Polikoff.
“Will everyone like this law? Certainly not. Will it lead to conflict? There is no doubt,” Polikoff said. “But I am hopeful this will be good for the queer kids in California’s schools and will point the way toward similar efforts in other states.”
CalMatters’ Adam Echelman contributed to this story.
This is a must watch video. It totally destroys the anti-vaccine groups and the Idea that vaccines cause autism. This is a medial Scientist researcher with the greatest knowledge in the field of study and he has an autistic daughter. He knocks down and shows proof of the lies of the anti-vaccine people. He explains how it all became a political issue and power, and how it is killing people. Hugs
This video is a great resource as he details his own sources that show the in 1776 only 17% of the population was religious. It also shows how the religious people keep pushing for something that never was due to being taught that lie as a child. Hell they say my pastor / preacher told me it was a Christian nation, my parents did, my friends knew it was … so it must be. But no it is a created fiction on the scale of Star Wars, Star Trek, and the Lord of the Ring trilogy. Great short video to watch. Hugs
Were Americans more religious in 1776? Here’s what we know about religious affiliation in 1776 America.
Is America a Christian nation? Was America founded on Judeo-Christian values? The United States had a religious affiliation rate of about 17% in 1776, according to The Churching of America 1776-2005 by Roger Finke and Rodney Stark.
This is an incredibly informative post on how to understand and deal with Christian apologetics anti-trans disinformation and lies. I started following this young person when he first left his church and faith doing videos on how the anti-science he was taught all his life in his church schools was incorrect and wrong. Now he exposes how Frank Turek got his breasts reduced in the Navy because it did not look male enough to him … yet he doesn’t feel that had anything to do with gender. The hypocrisy hits you hard in the face, but Frank can not see it, because he is paid not to. The video also talks about the Littman study and the Cass report in a small section. The video also talks a small amount on how the right / religious people frame their talking points to get sympathy for their views by pretending to save the innocent victims. If there is any doubt I support trans people 100% let that end. Trans rights are human rights. Trans women are simply women, trans men are men. I look forward to the day we don’t need to use the word trans, just as I do the day when we can call same sex marriage just marriage. As I think it was Spock in Star Trek who said a difference that makes no difference is no difference. Hugs
I am glad the Rev. made this post. Nothing made me angrier over the years than Christians thinking this time of year that their celebrations were the start of it all. How ignorant of history. To them the world started and ended with their religion. Every year in our park of homes I saw and still do see lawn signs with “Put Christ back in Christmas”, followed by Christ is the reason why we have Christmas. I lost many fellow neighbors as friends when I pointed out to them that most of the season’s traditions were pagan ones and that people celebrated the season long before their religion started. Blasphemous they would yell at me, why the holiday has his name in it, they would yell. No matter the true history they wouldn’t listen and then would try to spread hate behind my back. Very Christian of them. Early maga before tRump came on the scene, but his type of people. They are sure they are correct as it has always been that way in their life or for them. Hugs. Love.
If you only watch one of these please watch this one. He talks about the cost of marginalizing those minorities who have less, giving hate to those groups that are different based on your own egos such as the LGBTQ+. He explains why that was never the plan Jesus had for those who claimed to be his followers. I do not share his belief in a deity, but I sure do endorse him message of inclusion and love. Oh and I am about to peel 9 hard boiled eggs so Ron can make deviled eggs which I love warm, he has the new chicken supreme sauce recipe in the oven along with a large ham, only there is no chicken in the chicken supreme. Instead it has lots of potatoes and large sliced mushrooms. We both love the gravy the sauce makes and so thought why not do it with other things. Hope your meals will be as grand as ours. I am so happy right now, the most happy I have been in two months. Hugs.
This is another important one about Christian nationalism and how seeking power ends up losing god. Love it. Hugs
June 10, 2018: Warsaw’s LGBTQ pride equality march
Scottie's Playtime 