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Description
This project addresses the problem of prejudice against LGBT+ people among Christians in Poland. While a vast majority of people in Poland declare themselves to be catholic, homophobia is greatest in this group. The percentage of this group opposed to legalising same-sex relationships is as high as 87%. In 2020, the Polish Episcopal Conference issued a statement calling for the opening of sexual orientation conversion therapy clinics. Statements by authority figures of this kind increase social prejudice and further sanction violence towards non-heteronormative people - Poland is now the most homophobic country in the EU.In the project, the Project Promoter will publish a book containing twelve interviews with religious LGBT+ people, their parents, and theologists, and describing the need for acceptance of sexual minorities. 750 copies will be released, and the book will be available online. Promotion of the book will include eight discussion panels directed towards the Christian community. Participants will discuss how Christian communities can be open towards LGBT+ people. The project promoter will also hold two webinars for religious LGBT+ people on what religious violence is and how to protect oneself against it.The project is intended for Christians in Poland and religious LGBT+ people. The book and the related discussions will increase knowledge about LGBT+ people and acceptance of them in the Christian community in Poland. There will also be greater awareness of LGBT+ people who belong to the church on what religious violence is, where to seek support and help if it is experienced, and how to set boundaries in a confrontation with a religious authority figure. The project will make LGBT+ more visible in the Christian community, and improve their level of comfort as members of the church.
Summary of project results
The project responded to the problem of prejudice against LGBT+ people among Christians and Christian women in Poland. The majority of Poles identify themselves as Catholics, and it is in this group that homophobic sentiments are strongest. In 2020. The Polish Bishops'' Conference issued a stance calling for the creation of conversion centres, i.e. centres aimed at “changing” psychosexual orientation. Such statements and ideas from authority figures translate into increased prejudice among the public, including greater condoning of violence against LGBT+ people. Poland has become the most homophobic country in the European Union in recent years.
As part of the project, the Project Promoter conducted 15 interviews with 18 LGBT+ believers, their families and allies. Based on the interviews, a book was written entitled. ''This is also our Christ. Conversations with LGBT+ Christians'', printed in 2,500 copies and made available as an e-book. In the book, people of different gender identities and psychosexual orientations, from both big cities and small towns, people from different churches, people who are well-known as well as people who have spoken about themselves publicly for the first time, speak out. An interview with the parents of a transgender child and interviews with allies also appeared in the book. Nine panel discussions were held around the book - a total of 283 people attended. The grantee also conducted two webinars for the LGBT+ community entitled ‘Pathways to Freedom. How not to succumb to religious violence'', which offered concrete tools to defend against religious violence.
The project was aimed at Christians in Poland and LGBT+ believers. The publication of the book and the accompanying discussions raised awareness of LGBT+ people and the challenges this group faces in the context of faith. It has also raised awareness among LGBT+ church members of what religious violence is, where to seek support and help when experiencing violence, how to take care of one''s boundaries in situations of encounter with religious authority. The project has influenced the visibility of LGBT+ people within the Christian community and their comfort level as members of the church.