Over 10,000 people marched through the streets of the city
Over 10,000 people took part in the 15th Equality March in Krakow! It was crowded, colorful, and loud. Colorful platforms with music, the largest rainbow flag in Poland, and speeches by politicians and activists: on Saturday, the fifteenth Equality March took place in Krakow, this year under the slogan “Let’s make ourselves a paradise.”
On Saturday, May 19, at 3:00 p.m., the Equality March organized by us set off from the National Museum in Krakow. The turnout was certainly impressive: the organizers estimate the number of participants at over 10,000. This year, there was no shortage of politicians who were eager to speak before the Equality March: including Paweł Rabiej, the openly gay deputy mayor of Warsaw, Monika Rosa, a member of parliament from the Modern party, and Maciej Gdula, a candidate for the European Parliament from the Małopolska-Świętokrzyskie district representing Robert Biedroń’s Spring party. The police ensured the safety of the gathering. There were no incidents during the demonstration.
“We are happy that, as promised, we have managed to create a paradise in Krakow,” said Artur Maciejewski, president of the Queer May Association, emphasizing that for many LGBT people, this day is special—it is when they can take to the streets to show that they exist and are part of local communities. “They are trying to take away our right to be ourselves,” says Artur Maciejewski, one of the organizers, in the manifesto. “Let’s be proud of who we are and who we love. Let’s create heaven on earth. Let’s dispel the dark clouds! Let’s brighten the darkest night!” The organizers of the Equality March invited those gathered to a party on the same day at the Szpitalna 1 club at 10 p.m. The evening will be graced by Roger 23 from Berlin’s Berghain.
The Equality March in Krakow has been held since 2004. For eleven years, it has been accompanied by the Queer May Festival promoting LGBT culture. The event is part of the Queer May Festival, which this year will last until May 26.