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The priest leading the fight for LGBT rights in Poland

Szymon Niemiec organised Poland's first Gay Pride march in 2001. Today, his faith and sexuality continue to make him a target.

Szymon Niemiec is a priest and an LGBTQ+ activist who founded Poland's first Gay Pride parade in 2001 – known locally as an 'equality parade'. Growing up in the Polish capital Warsaw, Szymon knew he was gay and at the same time knew he felt a close connection to the Church. But combining his religious belief, his sexuality and his activism was never easy in a predominantly Catholic country, and it continues to make him a target.
This interview was first broadcast in March 2022.

Presenter: Mobeen Azhar
Producer: May Cameron

Get in touch: outlook@bbc.com or WhatsApp +44 330 678 2707

(Photo: Szymon Niemiec. Credit: Janek Skarzynski/AFP/Getty Images)

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