This Saturday 18th May, the 20th edition of Kraków’s equality march (Marsz Równości) takes place, starting at 3pm from in front of the National Museum.
To mark the occasion I have updated a previous article with a list of LGBT+resources and gay friendly places in Kraków.
Patronage of the President of Kraków
Kraków’s newly elected President Aleksander Miszalski awarded his first patronage as President to the equality march, on his first day in the role of President.
He also stated his intention to participate in the march which would be the first time a President of Kraków has taken part. In addition the President announced that the Rainbow Flag will be flown at the city hall.
LGBT+ clubs, pubs, places in Kraków
Club Cabaret
Club Papuga
Lindo Bar
ZOO Club
Diva Club
Ciemnia Drink Bar
Twierdza
Slay Space (formerly Barka)
Blue XL
Spartakus Sauna
LGBT+ organisations in Kraków & Poland
There are many NGO’s, organisations and social media groups, there is even an LGBT+ Choir: Krakofonia.
Gay Friendly in Poland
Kraków LGBT+ (in English) 
Kraków LGBT 
Krakow Pride
Imprezy LGBT Kraków
Out in Kraków Gay Events
Spotted: Tęczowy Kraków
DOM EQ (Virtual LGBT Information Centre
LGBT Polska
Queerowy Maj (Equality Parade organisers
Queer.pl
Znaki Równości/DOM EQ
Tęczowy Kraków (Rainbow Kraków)
House of Equality (DOM EQ)
On 15th June 2019, the House of Equality in Krakow opened, at ul. Czyżówka 43, to inform and integrate Kraków’s LGBT+ community. DOM EQ is a cultural and information centre, where the LGBT+ community and supporters gather, organise events and share experiences. The centre is all about diversity and inclusion (LGBT+ will be the main focus but other strands of diversity will be also included).
You can find out more about DOM EQ at:
LGBTQ+ Community Centre DOM EQ (English)
DOM EQ Community FB Group
Equality Parade 2024
The 20th edition of the annual Equality Parade will take place this Saturday, 18th May, starting at 3pm in front of the National Museum, al. 3 Maja, Kraków. Last year a record 12,000 people took part in the parade.
Saturday 18th May 2024
3pm
In front of National Museum (MNK), Al. 3 Maja.
Facebook Event
Organiser Facebook Page – QueerowyMaj
You can see some of our photographs of a parade which took place a few years ago here: (NB Happily, the disturbances and attempts by thugs to disrupt the parade, which took place that year have been very rare and never happened since to such an extent)
2012 Equality Parade Photographs
City of Kraków Equality Initiatives
We are fortunate to live in a City which is comparatively open to it’s LGBT+ community, and which actively supports LBGT+ residents and visitors. The city have created a number of initiatives, including:-
Equality May („Maj równości”)
“Equality May” is an initiative whose aim is to create an equality cultural program involving as many municipal cultural institutions as possible. In this way, we would like to look for new, common fields of dialogue and to emphasise the city’s commitment to combating discrimination on many levels.
All events deal with anti-discrimination and equality issues, issues of exclusion, women’s rights, people with disabilities, and the rights of the LGBT + community. They focus on counteracting hate speech and promoting the idea of accessibility.
Equality May Programme of Events
We Say NO to Discrimination
As part of Equality May, and the National campaign “LGBT + me”, („LGBT+ja”), which focuses on the difficulties faced byLGBT + teenagers . Soon, stickers saying “We say NO to discrimination” will appear across the city.
You can read more about the ‘We say NO to discrimination, (Dyskryminacji mówimy NIE!) campaign here.
Poland ranked worst country in EU for Homophobia
Whilst the City of Kraków, along with other town’s, cities and regions elsewhere across Poland, are making commendable efforts to recognise, equality and fairness for all, including LGBT+, we all know that, sadly, there are still too many instances where this is not the case.
A recent report shows that Poland ranks as the most homophobic country in the EU, for the 5th year running, according to the annual “Rainbow Map” produced by NGO ILGA-Europe.
Poland Summary from report (pdf)
Poland Summary – Rainbow Map
Kraków Expats Directory supports a diverse, open, tolerant and friendly society. We want our Kraków international community to be a safe, inclusive place, open to all, regardless of their nationality, religion, beliefs, politics or sexual orientation.
These principles are, or should be, universal, and should apply everywhere to everyone, however they are especially important today in Poland.
If you are aware of any LGBT+ friendly places, resources or information which may be of interest to our community please get in touch and we’ll add them to this article. Please feel free to share this.
A Scot in Kraków. The founder and editor of Kraków Expats Directory, and our sister sites Kraków TV and Kraków Stories Podcast.
David fell in love with Kraków 25 years ago, making it his home in 2011.
In 2020 he was awarded the title of Kraków’s Ambassador of Multiculturalism, by the President of Kraków, and is also a member of the GlobalScot network, representing Scottish culture and business abroad.
We’re always looking for interesting stories, events, characters or groups to feature. Likewise, if you’d like to join us, as a contributor, please get in touch.
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