Polish state TV apologises for years of homophobic propaganda

President Andrzej Duda once said on air he agreed with the idea that LGBT was ‘an ideology’ and ‘not people’

People take part in Poland’s yearly Pride parade, known as the Equality Parade, in Warsaw, Poland (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

A host on Polish state television has appologised on air for homophobic propaganda aired by state media.

LGBTQ+ rights activist Bart Staszewski said he believes it’s a “new beginning” in Poland after the host said sorry for content in recent years.

During the eight years of rule by the national conservative Law and Justice party, state media promoted the party’s line that LGBTQ+ people were threats to Polish families.

At one point President Andrzej Duda — an ally of the former government — said he agreed with the idea that LGBT was “an ideology” and “not people.”

The approach has changed under a new centrist government led by Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who moved quickly to eject the Law and Justice supporters from positions of power over state media.

“It took me by surprise,” said Staszewski, one of two activists invited on air Sunday evening when the state TVP host apologized to them for the rhetoric directed at their community for years.

Staszewski, who had been personally targeted by the previous government, added: “I didn’t realize how much I needed” to hear the apology.

Polish President Andrzej Duda addresses the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly, in 2023 (AP)

Wojciech Szeląg, the TV host, began his discussion with the two activists by saying: “For many years in Poland shameful words have been directed at numerous individuals simply because they chose to decide for themselves who they are and whom they love. LGBT+ people are not an ideology, but people, with specific names, faces, relatives and friends.”

“All these people should hear the words ‘I am sorry’ exactly from this place,” Szeląg said. “I am sorry.”

Staszewski said the apology was refreshing and he feels like it’s a “new beginning.”But he also said the new government still has work to do given that same-sex unions are still not permitted under Polish law.

The LGBTQ+ community is also pushing for the new authorities to pass a hate speech law.