Polish official wants to ban gays from range of jobs
The Polish ombudsman for children’s rights has drawn up a list of professions for which homosexuals are considered unsuitable.
Eva Sovinyska has asked the government to impose a ban on gay and lesbian people doing jobs on the list.
The professions are mainly those which involve contact with children.
Gay teachers, or sport and art instructors in schools, would no longer be able to apply for work in their profession.
The Roman Catholic League of Polish Families have offered their support to the ombudsman.
But deputy Polish minister for labour and social issues, Joana Kluzsik Rostovska, said the list would violate principles of equality and civil liberties.
The European Parliament is prepared to investigate the legality of draft legislation restricting discussion of homosexuality in Polish schools, should the bill be officially submitted to the Polish lower house.
Concerned MEPs are preparing oral questions to the European Commission and the German EU presidency for the 10-11 April plenary session in Strasbourg.
The Polish government plans to ban discussions on homosexuality in schools and educational institutions across the country, with teachers set to be fired, fined or imprisoned if they violate the rules.
Openly gay teachers could also lose their jobs.
Poland’s education minister Roman Giertych – the leader of the League of Polish Families party which made the proposal – said last week that the laws would aim to “prohibit the promotion of homosexuality and other deviance.”
Poland is currently one of the most intolerant countries in Europe regarding gay rights.
89% of the population admit to considering homosexuality abnormal, and only half believe that it should be tolerated.
