The slogan of the parade summarised the 12 demands of its participants, and related to, among others, ethnic, religious, national, LGBT people, people with disabilities, but also open urban spaces, better sex education as well as better animal rights.
Photo: PAP/Tomasz Gzell
The parade participants carried placards reading: “We too are family”, “Marriage for everyone with the right to adoption”, “Yes to the right on gender reconciliation”, “Everyone has the right to be themselves”.
Poland is still one of the only EU countries which constitutionally limits marriage to opposite-sex partners.
“This is a march in the interest of us all, the whole of Poland, so that our society becomes one where people are open, free and show solidarity. To make it strong and diverse,” said Małgorzata Fuszara, the government plenipotentiary for equal rights, who headed the parade.
Police on standby
Photo: PAP/Tomasz Gzell
The parade, which was marred in recent years by the presence of right-wing activist, was closely watched by police officers.
Police spokesperson Mariusz Mrozek stressed that the officers were prepare for any situation taking into account previous years' events.
“The police is there,” Mrozek said, “so that such events are safe.”
“Our role is that there is no unnecessary confrontation between people with opposing views. In order to avoid security incidents,” he added.
Among the Polish dignitaries who attended the parade were MP Wanda Nowicka, actress Krystyna Janda, prof. Magdalena Środa, Poland's first openly-gay mayor Robert Biedroń, former PM Leszek Miller, as well as MP and former presidential candidate Janusz Palikot. (rg)
Source: IAR, PAP