Poland Criminalizes Anti-LGBTQ+ Hate Speech: A Controversial Move
Poland’s government approved legislation expanding hate crime laws to include sexual orientation, gender, age, and disability, punishable by up to three years imprisonment for public insults and five years for violence or threats. This update addresses the UN Human Rights Council’s concerns and fulfills a coalition agreement, marking a shift from previous anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric. While the bill initially included “gender identity,” the final version uses “sex/gender,” a decision criticized by some LGBT+ groups for potentially excluding transgender individuals. The bill now proceeds to parliament for approval before potentially reaching President Duda.
John Q. Hosedrinker