Strengthening Grassroots Activism Amid Adversity—Empowering LGBTQ+ Youth in Poland Through Rainbow Friday
Author: Joanna Kopacka
For nearly a decade, Poland’s LGBTQ+ community faced increasing hostility under the right-wing Law and Justice (PiS) government. Beginning in 2015, the situation of LGBTQ+ individuals started to deteriorate. By 2018, the government was openly using homophobia as a key campaign tactic, with municipalities banning Equality March parades and government officials publicly condemning Rainbow Friday— a nationwide day to support LGBTQ+ school youth initiated by the Campaign Against Homophobia (KPH).
Despite years of discrimination, Rainbow Friday endured, with students organizing the event when many schools refused to participate due to government intimidation. In 2023, with support from the Engaging Central Europe (ECE) program of the German Marshall Fund of the United States and the US Agency for International Development, the youth-led foundation GrowSPACE took the reins of Rainbow Friday for the first time, transforming it into the product of a powerful grassroots movement that engaged hundreds of students across Poland.
Creating Safe Spaces and Community Networks
Organized under the theme Safe Space, the 2023 Rainbow Friday became more than a single-day event—it was the result of months of community-building, mentoring, and organizing. Through a dedicated channel on the Discord network, GrowSPACE created a central hub for LGBTQ+ activists across Poland to connect, share ideas, run workshops, and support one another in preparation for the event.
One of the platform’s users reflects on the importance of the network, saying: “It is thanks to this project that I discovered what I love to do—take up social action.” Another participant adds: “I notice that there are a lot of us nonbinary people here! It’s the first time I’ve met so many people using neutral language like I do! Even more reason for me to go out into the world and teach neutral and inclusive language.
Despite the hostile environment, this countrywide network of volunteers empowered queer youth in 110 schools to co-organize and participate in Rainbow Friday activities. GrowSPACE supported these efforts by distributing over 100 packages filled with rainbow stickers, posters, and photo-frame kits to those who requested them, providing visibility and resources for LGBTQ+ youth
Celebrating Diversity and Building Solidarity
On the last Friday of October, LGBTQ+ students and their allies across Poland celebrated their identities in diverse and creative ways. From wearing rainbow stickers and displaying symbols of solidarity to organizing peer-to-peer debates and an Open Mic event that offered LGBTQ+ students a safe platform for self-expression, Rainbow Friday fostered a strong sense of community and support.
GrowSPACE organizers joined Rainbow Friday activities at an allied high school in Warsaw, where an official press conference took place with students, teachers, and activists. Speaking to the media, students and teachers emphasized the importance of acceptance and inclusivity in education. “We have an obligation to ensure that everyone feels wanted, safe, and comfortable in our school,” said 17-year-old Zofia Wieloch, a student speaker at the event.
Resilience Amid Shrinking Spaces for Civic Activism
Organizing an event like Rainbow Friday during a time of political uncertainty in Poland was not without its challenges. Following the national elections in 2023, some students feared retaliation for organizing rainbow celebrations at their schools. GrowSPACE responded by providing psychological support and encouraging students to hold their events in safe spaces outside of school, when necessary.
After the day of celebration, GrowSPACE launched an educational program, with three workshop scenarios on human rights, mental health, and anti-discrimination. Through the Discord channel, students eager to lead workshops stepped forward and completed five online training sessions, gaining the skills to guide their peers in meaningful discussions and activities.
Despite the shrinking space for civic activism and the erosion of LGBTQ+ rights in Poland between 2015 and 2023, GrowSPACE’s coordination of Rainbow Friday proved the resilience of Poland’s LGBTQ+ community. By building solidarity, mutual care, and a strong network of next-generation activists, GrowSPACE has laid the groundwork for future editions of Rainbow Friday and continued youth organizing.
