Gay Polish couple travel to the Vatican to beg Pope Francis for help

A gay Polish couple have traveled to the Vatican with a simple message for Pope Francis – help.

LGBT+ YouTubers and campaigners Jakub and Dawid Mycek-Kwiecinski’s journey comes as homophobia appears to be spiralling out of control in Poland.

The pair wanted to highlight Polish Catholic leaders’ involvement in stirring up this hate.

Therefore the couple unfurled the LGBT+ Pride Flag with the word ‘Help’ written on it as Francis conducted Angelus Prayers from his balcony in the Vatican. They returned to St Peter’s Square several times during the last week.

They said (translated): ‘Polish bishops called us pedophiles. They say that we are a disease and even that COVID_19 is a punishment for the world for LGBT sins.

‘Meanwhile the Catholic Church has inspired our local authorities to create “LGBT Free Zones” in Poland.

‘We believe that all these actions don’t go along with Pope Francis’ teaching. So we did it to encourage him to take action.’

Pope Francis has a mixed record on LGBT+ issues. He famously said he wouldn’t judge gay people. However, he also believes same-sex marriage ‘disfigures’ society and that trans people are like ‘nuclear weapons’.

Rising LGBT+ hate and anger in Poland

The level of hate in Poland has been on the rise since early in 2019. Moreover, recent weeks have seen a further, dramatic increase in protests and public anger – on both sides.

This month has seen LGBT+ and hate groups go head-to-head at demonstrations in Warsaw.

LGBT+ campaigners also protested after police conducted mass arrests of their fellow activists.

The last two years have seen Poland’s ruling Law and Justice Party (PiS) attack LGBT+ people in election campaigns to shore up its populist support.

Indeed, LGBT+ rights became a major battleground in the recent presidential election.

The victory in that election of anti-LGBT+ incumbent President Andrzej Duda has left many to fear there is no hope. Campaigners expect further anti-LGBT+ measures to come before Poland’s parliament in the coming months

As a result, while some fight on, many Polish LGBT+ people are now desperate to leave or have already fled the country.

Meanwhile around a third of the country has declared itself an ‘LGBT Free Zone’.

Jakub and Dawid Mycek-Kwiecinski are famous in Poland for their high-profile stunts for equality and dignity.

During the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, they handed out rainbow face masks in an ‘LGBT Free Zone’ and filmed the responses – both hateful and grateful.

In June the pair also featured in an advert for Durex condoms. Their moment of intimacy was an historic first for Polish TV.