Why the Polish Government is Targeting LGBT Rights and Defending Legal Abortion Restrictions

The Polish government's continued assault on LGBT rights and its staunch defense of legal abortion restrictions can be traced to two primary forces: the pervasive influence of the Catholic Church and cynical right-wing political tactics. These factors have led to a society that often disregards or erodes protections for marginalized communities.

The Dominance of the Catholic Church

Religious Dominance and Institutional Power: Poland is predominantly Catholic, and the Church wields significant institutional power. Despite the scandals that have revealed systemic child sex abuse, the Catholic Church remains a central figure in many aspects of Polish society, including politics and public morality. The Church's stance on LGBT rights is unequivocally negative, rooted in a belief system that does not tolerate the existence of LGBTQ individuals or modern feminist movements.

The Church has been instrumental in supporting and promoting anti-LGBTQ legislation, which has often included more extreme measures such as the death penalty. It actively resists any laws or initiatives that support LGBTQ rights, viewing any such measures as threats to traditional social values. This anti-LGBTQ stance is part of a broader ideological fight against feminism, as the Church sees these movements as direct challenges to its patriarchal, misogynistic, and transphobic beliefs.

The Catholic Church's influence extends beyond mere public opinion. It has the power to sway political discourse, shape morality, and influence public policies. This influence is particularly evident in how the government reacts to LGBTQ rights, often framing the issue as one of moral and societal decay.

Right-Wing Political Exploitation of Social Issues

Political Expediency and Diversionary Tactics: Right-wing governments around the world often use social issues like LGBTQ rights and abortion to frame opposition as enemies of traditional values and the family. In Poland, as in other countries, such narratives are used to mobilize voter support and deflect from the government's lack of action on more pressing issues like economic inequalities or systemic child sex abuse in the Church.

By portraying LGBTQ individuals as an enemy, governments can paint themselves as defenders of traditional values, thus gaining support from those who fear changes they do not understand or endorse. This is a pattern echoed in other instances, such as the Russian decriminalization of domestic violence. In Russia, the Orthodox Church used similar rhetoric to justify opposing stricter protections against domestic violence, framing it as an attack on the traditional family and Western feminism.

These tactics are used to manipulate public opinion and distract from the realities faced by vulnerable groups. For instance, in Poland, the government's focus on anti-LGBTQ legislation has drawn attention away from the chronic issues of child sex abuse within the Catholic Church, domestic violence, and the murder of women by their partners. These are the very problems that pose real threats to women and children, yet they receive little attention in the public discourse.

Combination of Religious Extremism and Right-Wing Ideology

Unified Opposition to Female Empowerment: Religious extremism, whether Catholic, Evangelical, or Orthodox, combined with right-wing ideology, forms a powerful alliance against LGBTQ rights, feminism, and women's empowerment. This coalition views these movements as threats to the traditional patriarchal hierarchy, which is embedded in many religious doctrines.

For instance, the belief that a man has the "god-given right" to abuse his partner is deeply rooted in certain religious beliefs. This patriarchal mindset sees familial and societal structures as hierarchical and non-negotiable. Therefore, any movement that challenges these structures, including feminism and LGBTQ rights, is met with fierce resistance.

The combination of religious and political forces makes it challenging to effect change in Poland. While efforts to combat child sex abuse within the Catholic Church and to address domestic violence are necessary, they often face significant resistance. The focus on anti-LGBTQ laws and pro-life measures dominates the political landscape, overshadowing more urgent social issues.

Understanding these dynamics is crucial for anyone wishing to advocate for change in Poland. It is essential to challenge the rhetoric of the Church and right-wing politicians and to push for policies that prioritize the well-being of all citizens, especially the most vulnerable.