This presentation examines how political parties and their presidential candidates shape discourse and policy concerning LGBTQ+ individuals in Poland. It provides insights into the impact of political dynamics on the progress and setbacks of LGBTQ+ rights within the Polish context and, by extension, Central and Eastern Europe. It highlights that Poland's approach to LGBTQ+ rights is marked by legislative stagnation amidst a politically resistant and polarised environment. Despite decriminalisation precedents and some legal progress, it is evidenced that a significant lack of legal recognition for same-sex partnerships and limited protections against discrimination go along with a general lack of political will. Political party dynamics, compounded by the influential conservatism of the catholic church, exacerbate the divisions and hinder the advancement of LGBTQ+ rights, despite pressures and expectations linked to the EU’s human rights frameworks.
