Poland Replaces Official With LGBTQ+-Friendly Successor

In one of a series of appointments made by Poland’s new parliament, the previous commissioner of children’s rights, who was known for his conservative ideologies, has been replaced by an active advocate for LGBTQ+ rights.

Mikołaj Pawlak was chosen as the Commissioner of Children’s Rights in 2018, when Poland’s conservative Law and Justice (PiS) party controlled most of parliament. Pawlak’s time in this role was riddled with controversies: In 2020, he claimed that sex educators tried to give children hormone therapy, but was unable to provide evidence.

Earlier this year, he ordered an inspection of some of Poland’s top ranked queer-friendly schools, claiming that “children must be protected from criminals.”

While quite controversial himself, Pawlak’s term only represented the greater conservative will of the PiS. Over the last eight years, anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment has prompted a wave of discrimination across the country. Dozens of Polish towns and villages claimed themselves “free of LGBT ideology” in 2019, making it clear that any queer person would not be welcome.

And last month, after the PiS lost parliamentary majority, Pawlak warned against “pseudo-rainbow colorful rags—or in some urban districts, crescents—(replacing) the cross.”

But now the strength of the PiS has waned in the face of a new coalition of more liberal parties. The Civic Platform (KO), the Third Way, and The Left agreed to work together to reverse many of the Poland’s judicial reforms, including overturning the nigh-absolute abortion ban and making anti-LGBTQ+ hate speech a crime.

And yes, as part of these changes, they nominated a new Commissioner of Children’s Rights to replace Pawlak.

Monika Horna-Cieślak, a lawyer and social activist, took over Pawlak’s position last week. At her confirmation hearing, she pledged to work to increase LGBTQ+ acceptance, including instating an annual “Rainbow Friday” event in solidarity.

She has also talked about the importance of sex education in schools and spoken against corporal punishment for children (a viewpoint her predecessor did not share).

While members of the PiS condemn Horna-Cieślak as a puppet of a “silent LGBT lobby,” members of the new coalition have confidence that they can improve the quality of life for all Polish citizens.

Image courtesy of @krzeszewska_ale on X