QuoteGay and transsexual lawmakers take front seats in Polish parliament, protesting rant by Walesa
WARSAW, Poland — Poland's first openly gay and transsexual lawmakers took seats on the front bench of Parliament Wednesday to protest hostile remarks by former President Lech Walesa.
Walesa, the leading hero in Poland's successful anti-communist struggle in the 1980s, said Friday that gays belong on the back rows of Parliament, or "even behind the wall."
The words sparked huge outrage among liberal Poles, with some questioning whether the Nobel Peace Prize winner has permanently damaged his legacy as a champion of democracy. But Walesa has said he has always proven himself as a democrat and had been misunderstood. He didn't elaborate and refused to apologize.
On Wednesday, Robert Biedron, a gay rights activist, and Anna Grodzka, who had a man-to-woman sex change operation, took seats in the front row of the assembly. Both are members of the progressive Palikot's Movement party, and party leader Janusz Palikot arranged for the pair to take the seats, relinquishing his own seat to Biedron.
"Lech Walesa is an important symbol for us all and for the whole world," Biedron told The Associated Press before attending the session. "I respect him and I'd rather he used other words, words of acceptance and of respect for other people."
Walesa, a staunch Roman Catholic and a father of eight, is known for strong views and a distinctive way of expressing himself.
Palikot told the AP that he is still to decide whether the transfer of the lawmakers will be long-term.
The first row in the semi-circular lower chamber, or Sejm, is reserved for party leaders and prominent lawmakers. Biedron and Grodzka — who are lawmakers since 2011 — usually sit in the third row.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/gay-and-transsexual-lawmakers-take-front-seats-in-polish-parliament-protesting-rant-by-walesa/2013/03/06/8361f752-8643-11e2-a80b-3edc779b676f_story.html
Mainly posted so I can post this picture, which I find funny. Especially the guy on the left (the head of the post-communist Left Democratic Alliance) is clearly not having it. :D
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonpost.com%2Frf%2Fimage_606w%2F2010-2019%2FWires%2FOnline%2F2013-03-06%2FAP%2FImages%2FPoland%2520Walesa%2520Gay%2520Rights.JPEG-0ab0b.jpg&hash=45664a4ecf3d4055af4983c8c4aced9c6184189b)
That's one foxy lebiang.
:lol: Looks like a Benny Hill character.
You guys are being transphobic. :P
The gay guy is also obviously gay, by the way. :D
So the hotty is a she-male?
Quote from: Martinus on March 06, 2013, 12:06:12 PM
The gay guy is also obviously gay, by the way. :D
Do you often sit like that. I just tried to pose the same way and it hurt my wrist. :(
Quote from: Admiral Yi on March 06, 2013, 12:08:24 PM
So the hotty is a she-male?
The first line of the article points out she's a transsexual.
Quote from: Martinus on March 06, 2013, 12:06:12 PM
The gay guy is also obviously gay, by the way. :D
:unsure:
I met them both, by the way, although the transgendered MP only briefly at the Warsaw pride march.
My bf knows the gay MP very well.
I bet.
Quote from: Martinus on March 06, 2013, 12:16:07 PM
My bf knows the gay MP very well.
Does that make you jealous?
Quote from: Valmy on March 06, 2013, 12:24:26 PM
Quote from: Martinus on March 06, 2013, 12:16:07 PM
My bf knows the gay MP very well.
Does that make you jealous?
Not really. The guy is too effeminate for me to feel threatened.
Quote from: Martinus on March 06, 2013, 12:28:32 PM
Quote from: Valmy on March 06, 2013, 12:24:26 PM
Quote from: Martinus on March 06, 2013, 12:16:07 PM
My bf knows the gay MP very well.
Does that make you jealous?
Not really. The guy is too effeminate for me to feel threatened.
Aren't you all pretty effeminate?
Quote from: Neil on March 06, 2013, 12:39:09 PM
Quote from: Martinus on March 06, 2013, 12:28:32 PM
Quote from: Valmy on March 06, 2013, 12:24:26 PM
Quote from: Martinus on March 06, 2013, 12:16:07 PM
My bf knows the gay MP very well.
Does that make you jealous?
Not really. The guy is too effeminate for me to feel threatened.
Aren't you all pretty effeminate?
Perhaps Polish ones. Here in the US though, I'd say no.
Quote from: garbon on March 06, 2013, 12:44:08 PM
Quote from: Neil on March 06, 2013, 12:39:09 PM
Quote from: Martinus on March 06, 2013, 12:28:32 PM
Quote from: Valmy on March 06, 2013, 12:24:26 PM
Quote from: Martinus on March 06, 2013, 12:16:07 PM
My bf knows the gay MP very well.
Does that make you jealous?
Not really. The guy is too effeminate for me to feel threatened.
Aren't you all pretty effeminate?
Perhaps Polish ones. Here in the US though, I'd say no.
Using Languish as an example, I would say that the only gay here that can pass for normal is Shielbh.
Quote from: Neil on March 06, 2013, 12:50:09 PM
Using Languish as an example, I would say that the only gay here that can pass for normal is Shielbh.
That's a very small and not representative sample. ;)
Quote from: garbon on March 06, 2013, 12:51:15 PM
Quote from: Neil on March 06, 2013, 12:50:09 PM
Using Languish as an example, I would say that the only gay here that can pass for normal is Shielbh.
That's a very small and not representative sample. ;)
That's true, but they're also the only gays that I would ever know, aside from a couple of useless fairies that I used to work with.
Quote from: Neil on March 06, 2013, 01:30:53 PM
That's true, but they're also the only gays that I would ever know, aside from a couple of useless fairies that I used to work with.
Are you sure? It is entirely possible that you might interact frequently with gays that you don't know are gay.
Quote from: garbon on March 06, 2013, 01:40:34 PM
Quote from: Neil on March 06, 2013, 01:30:53 PM
That's true, but they're also the only gays that I would ever know, aside from a couple of useless fairies that I used to work with.
Are you sure? It is entirely possible that you might interact frequently with gays that you don't know are gay.
Yeah, I was thinking the same thing. If Neil thinks that the only gay men are the ones that fit his stereotype then I think he is in for a bit of a suprise. I know that when the culture around Vancouver became more accepting and people started coming out of the closet I have to admit I had to adjust my preconceptions as well.
Although we all know that Neil is mainly trolling here.
Quote from: garbon on March 06, 2013, 01:40:34 PM
Quote from: Neil on March 06, 2013, 01:30:53 PM
That's true, but they're also the only gays that I would ever know, aside from a couple of useless fairies that I used to work with.
Are you sure? It is entirely possible that you might interact frequently with gays that you don't know are gay.
Alberta has no homosexuals :contract:
Quote from: garbon on March 06, 2013, 12:44:08 PM
Perhaps Polish ones. Here in the US though, I'd say no.
My wife's assistant (a very large gay man) wears makeup :mellow:
Quote from: derspiess on March 06, 2013, 02:14:37 PM
Quote from: garbon on March 06, 2013, 01:40:34 PM
Quote from: Neil on March 06, 2013, 01:30:53 PM
That's true, but they're also the only gays that I would ever know, aside from a couple of useless fairies that I used to work with.
Are you sure? It is entirely possible that you might interact frequently with gays that you don't know are gay.
Alberta has no homosexuals :contract:
I work with at least two homosexual lawyers though.
(I say at least because there may be more I don't know).
Quote from: derspiess on March 06, 2013, 02:16:10 PM
Quote from: garbon on March 06, 2013, 12:44:08 PM
Perhaps Polish ones. Here in the US though, I'd say no.
My wife's assistant (a very large gay man) wears makeup :mellow:
Did you read the post I quoted? Neil said "aren't you all pretty effeminate" to which I responded "not in the US". Your one example does not illustrate that we are all effeminate. I'm not sure it says anything except well perhaps things about you. :P
Quote from: garbon on March 06, 2013, 01:40:34 PM
Quote from: Neil on March 06, 2013, 01:30:53 PM
That's true, but they're also the only gays that I would ever know, aside from a couple of useless fairies that I used to work with.
Are you sure? It is entirely possible that you might interact frequently with gays that you don't know are gay.
Probably not. I don't really go out of my way to meet new people. I have a core of friends from when I was a boy, and some folks that I play cards with.
Quote from: garbon on March 06, 2013, 02:27:46 PM
Quote from: derspiess on March 06, 2013, 02:16:10 PM
Quote from: garbon on March 06, 2013, 12:44:08 PM
Perhaps Polish ones. Here in the US though, I'd say no.
My wife's assistant (a very large gay man) wears makeup :mellow:
Did you read the post I quoted? Neil said "aren't you all pretty effeminate" to which I responded "not in the US". Your one example does not illustrate that we are all effeminate. I'm not sure it says anything except well perhaps things about you. :P
Chillax. I was just throwing it out there. Not even I would make sweeping judgments using a sample size of one.
Quote from: derspiess on March 06, 2013, 02:53:00 PM
Quote from: garbon on March 06, 2013, 02:27:46 PM
Quote from: derspiess on March 06, 2013, 02:16:10 PM
Quote from: garbon on March 06, 2013, 12:44:08 PM
Perhaps Polish ones. Here in the US though, I'd say no.
My wife's assistant (a very large gay man) wears makeup :mellow:
Did you read the post I quoted? Neil said "aren't you all pretty effeminate" to which I responded "not in the US". Your one example does not illustrate that we are all effeminate. I'm not sure it says anything except well perhaps things about you. :P
Chillax. I was just throwing it out there. Not even I would make sweeping judgments using a sample size of one.
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimageshack.us%2Fa%2Fimg42%2F9269%2Ftumblrmd7mnhgale1ryss9w.gif&hash=b29a0105edd3a72191d2402f6e0bace9aed94c99)
I have been told I don't look effeminate.
Quote from: Martinus on March 06, 2013, 03:06:23 PM
I have been told I don't look effeminate.
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimageshack.us%2Fa%2Fimg401%2F2553%2Ftumblrmbyfct4ovv1ryss9w.gif&hash=56f1527150e95a2fd228ac65af4d379215b4462f)
Quote from: garbon on March 06, 2013, 03:10:46 PM
Quote from: Martinus on March 06, 2013, 03:06:23 PM
I have been told I don't look effeminate.
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimageshack.us%2Fa%2Fimg401%2F2553%2Ftumblrmbyfct4ovv1ryss9w.gif&hash=56f1527150e95a2fd228ac65af4d379215b4462f)
:lol:
This little hijack does make me wonder how much of the image of gay people being effeminate is a cultural cant from the days when they were more underground and had to spot each other somehow and how much is genuine. As certainly more effeminate guys tend to be gay than straight. Or is it just that the effeminate straights have to put on more of a macho image. hmm.....
Quote from: garbon on March 06, 2013, 12:51:15 PM
That's a very small and not representative sample. ;)
Yeah. And I'm English :mellow:
Quote from: Tyr on March 06, 2013, 06:22:31 PM
This little hijack does make me wonder how much of the image of gay people being effeminate is a cultural cant from the days when they were more underground and had to spot each other somehow and how much is genuine. As certainly more effeminate guys tend to be gay than straight. Or is it just that the effeminate straights have to put on more of a macho image. hmm.....
I dont know but a lot of effeminate guys I thought were gay are straight and visa versa.
Quote from: Sheilbh on March 06, 2013, 07:15:01 PM
Quote from: garbon on March 06, 2013, 12:51:15 PM
That's a very small and not representative sample. ;)
Yeah. And I'm English :mellow:
I totally forgot that but yes! That's a significant factor in "passing" for straight. :D
Quote from: Tyr on March 06, 2013, 06:22:31 PM
This little hijack does make me wonder how much of the image of gay people being effeminate is a cultural cant from the days when they were more underground and had to spot each other somehow and how much is genuine. As certainly more effeminate guys tend to be gay than straight. Or is it just that the effeminate straights have to put on more of a macho image. hmm.....
Well we still have to "spot" each other as it were as there's little valor in coming onto a straight guy.
Quote from: garbon on March 06, 2013, 08:37:22 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on March 06, 2013, 07:15:01 PM
Quote from: garbon on March 06, 2013, 12:51:15 PM
That's a very small and not representative sample. ;)
Yeah. And I'm English :mellow:
I totally forgot that but yes! That's a significant factor in "passing" for straight. :D
:hmm: That's interesing, because when I think of non-faggy homosexualists, the first (only?) person that comes to mind is Andrew Sullivan.
From an English perspective he is very, very gay :lol:
Quote from: Admiral Yi on March 06, 2013, 09:36:31 PM
Quote from: garbon on March 06, 2013, 08:37:22 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on March 06, 2013, 07:15:01 PM
Quote from: garbon on March 06, 2013, 12:51:15 PM
That's a very small and not representative sample. ;)
Yeah. And I'm English :mellow:
I totally forgot that but yes! That's a significant factor in "passing" for straight. :D
:hmm: That's interesing, because when I think of non-faggy homosexualists, the first (only?) person that comes to mind is Andrew Sullivan.
Did the whole bear thing breeze past you?
Quote from: garbon on March 06, 2013, 09:52:33 PM
Did the whole bear thing breeze past you?
Absofuckinglutely.
Quote from: Martinus on March 06, 2013, 03:06:23 PM
I have been told I don't look effeminate.
You've also been told you don't look white.
Quote from: Admiral Yi on March 06, 2013, 09:36:31 PM
:hmm: That's interesing, because when I think of non-faggy homosexualists, the first (only?) person that comes to mind is Andrew Sullivan.
It is kinda tough to discern between "gay" and "English" at times.
Quote from: Sheilbh on March 06, 2013, 09:46:57 PM
From an English perspective he is very, very gay :lol:
I think a lot of heteros don't "get" that look. Remember when fahdiz was surprised when he shaved his head and started wearing a designer goatee - and we told him he looks gay?
Are you saying Walter White looks gay? :wacko:
Quote from: Martinus on March 08, 2013, 05:18:29 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on March 06, 2013, 09:46:57 PM
From an English perspective he is very, very gay :lol:
I think a lot of heteros don't "get" that look. Remember when fahdiz was surprised when he shaved his head and started wearing a designer goatee - and we told him he looks gay?
I don't just mean his look I mean his whole manner and his plummy voice.
I'm in no position to throw stones on this but he's very gay.