Warsaw Pride 2008, Equality Parade - impressions
June 8th, 2008 - Sunday8:00 pm
Yesterday’s Equality Parade was the final point of last week’s Equality Days (with the slogan Live, Love, Be!) in Warsaw. Organizers assess the number of people who attended the Parade at 7-8 thousand, the police and mass media give the number of only 2 thousand. The truth lies somewhere in between and whether it’s many or not - that’s a relative thing. But one thing is certain, there were much fewer people than at the memorable year 2005 Parade, which was banned by former Warsaw’s mayor, Lech Kaczyński. Nevertheless, I was impressed. This was the first time I’ve attended the Equality Parade (last year I was still in China at that time; before - I’d better not mention) and in my own opinion, which knows only such expressions as many, few, I don’t know and something about that, it was a crowd.
The British announced yesterday that on the occasion of today’s Warsaw Pride and in token of solidarity with the Polish LGBT community the British embassy in Warsaw will fly the Rainbow flag just next to the UK flag. Ambassador Ric Todd has raised the flag yesterday, i.e. on Friday, at 4 p.m. and it will fly over the embassy till Monday morning. Last week the embassy in Rigue did the same thing. It is common for the Rainbow flag to fly from municipal buildings to mark Pride or other events, but it is thought that last week (in Rigue) marked the first time a British embassy has displayed it.
66% of the Poles say that gays and lesbians should have been forbidden to organize public demonstrations, 27% say they should have had this right. 66% think that the Poles’ attitude towards homosexuals is hostile, 25% - that it’s neutral and only 1% think that the attitude is friendly. 25% express the opinion that homosexual couples should have the right to show their lifestyle in public, 69% want them to stay invisible.
Hooray! A bit late though, but finally I know the complete schedule of this year’s Equality Days in Warsaw. Due to above mentioned I just have to share my precious knowledge with You and invite You to familiarize Yourself with the schedule. If by any chance You’re in Poland, in Warsaw or perhaps will be here next week, this is this unique chance to take part in such a wonderful event :]
First thing You, my Dear Visitor, should know is that this is not the place to practise an emotional exhibitionism of a permanently unhappy and harmed by life gay guy. Nay! Quite the contrary, I live in a perfect harmony with my rather not bad world. Well, what was and is the purpose of launching and writing this blog? Now two things. Firstly - I'd like, at least to some extent, to make this society, yet not one of the best - Polish society, realize that a gay is quite the same human as anyone else. He loves, feels, is happy, is sad, rejoices, learns, studies, votes, has political views, enjoys himself, has friends, works etc. etc. Secondly - I'd like to show that a gay can be happy with himself, his life and his world. Let this blog be my own little contribution to making this world a better place to be in...
