Press release: Members of the European Parliament stand in solidarity with the Polish LGBTI community

Brussels, 15 September 2020

On 15 September 2020, 32 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) organised a solidarity action in front of the European Parliament to show their support with the Polish LGBTI community. The MEPs dressed in the different colours of the Pride flag, re-enacting the action by the Polish Members of Parliament ahead of the inauguration speech of the President after the election.

The action took place one day after the plenary discussion on Poland, during which several MEPs addressed the concerning situation of the fundamental rights of LGBTI persons, namely the LGBTI-free zones.

In addition, it also takes place one day before the State of the Union speech by Commission President von der Leyen, during which the LGBTI Intergroup expects to see the human rights of LGBTI persons clearly addressed, alongside concrete actions to protect them.

Terry Reintke MEP, Co-Chair of the LGBTI Intergroup in the European Parliament comments:

We stand today in solidarity with the Polish LGBTI community – that is the message we are sending! This action shows that the European Parliament and the LGBTI Intergroup stand with them, that their voices are being heard. Just yesterday, dozens of MEPs spoke in support of this community during the debate on Poland. Every week, the LGBTI Intergroup receives emails with the same question: What is the EU doing? Well, for the side of the European Parliament, be assured: we are standing by you. We have called before and will continue calling on the Commission to start infringement procedures on the basis of EU values being in serious risk in Poland. You can count on our support!

Marc Angel MEP, Co-President of the LGBTI Intergroup in the European Parliament, concludes:

The LGBTI Intergroup has been continuously involved in all the actions surrounding Poland. We are in touch with activists and with NGOs, we listen to their concerns and we are addressing them in every possible occasion we can. We bring your input to committee discussions and to the plenary for debates. At the Parliament, your voices are heard, and we are using every avenue possible to reflect this. We will keep pressing the Commission and the Council to do their part and to stand up squarely for the defence of fundamental rights in the European Union.

Press contacts:

Office of Terry Reintke MEP – Sebastian Fietkau (Sebastian.Fietkau@europarl.europa.eu) 

Office of Marc Angel MEP – Lisa Kersch (Lisa.Kersch@europarl.europa.eu)