Homophobic banner of Polonia – we call on mini ster to take action

In response to the homophobic incident that took place on July 19, 2024, at the Polonia Warsaw stadium, the Basta Foundation issued an appeal on July 24, 2024, to the Minister of Sports and Tourism, Sławomir Nitras, to look into the matter and take steps to draw consequences.

During one of the matches on July 19, 2024, a group of fans hung a banner over the entrance to the Polonia Warsaw stadium with the slogan “LGBT-Free Zone” and a crossed-out rainbow flag, which is a symbol of the LGBT+ community. What is most concerning about this incident is that it was not carried out by politicians but by ordinary people. This indicates that during the last eight years of Law and Justice’s governance, a portion of society has been convinced that it is permissible to exclude certain social groups.

According to § 4, section 2, item b of the Regulations for Mass Events – Football Matches with the Participation of KS Polonia Warsaw, during a mass event – a football match, it is particularly prohibited to proclaim and display slogans of obscene, offensive, vulgar, racist content, incitement to conflict based on nationality, religion, social status, worldview, etc.; as well as encouraging other participants of the mass event to proclaim such content, including by chanting songs or slogans.

The above event constituted a violation of these regulations as it incited conflict based on worldview and sexual orientation. Undoubtedly, this banner refers to the hate campaign against LGBT+ people by municipalities associated with Law and Justice, which adopted exclusionary resolutions against sexual minorities. These resolutions were intended to provoke a sense of fear and exclusion among those who are “different.” The banner had the same purpose. In the context of this incident, the Basta Foundation issued an appeal to the Minister of Sports and Tourism, who coordinates efforts to counteract negative phenomena in sports, to look into the matter to determine potential legal responsibility.

However, it is unclear whether legal consequences can be enforced, as despite electoral promises, a hate speech law has yet to be enacted. The full content of the appeal can be found below.