A hard year — and not only that
2020 was intense and difficult for all of us. The epidemic changed our lives and our perception of the world. It was an important year for me – it started with the publication of the first photos of my art project exposing LGBT-free zones. It set off a discussion far beyond anything I expected.
It was a time of challenges and difficult decisions. I became the object of a right-wing media campaign. There was also an unpopular decision to meet with right-wing President of Poland Andrzej Duda, which allowed me to highlight the problem of suicide among LGBT teenagers. I had to pay the price for my effectiveness in the form of threats, lies about me and lawsuits. But there were also plenty of nice moments as well as awards for my work (Bloomberg or NatWest LGBT+ Awards). I try to make use of my privilege: from the prize money I funded a scholarship for an activist from Lublin, in south-eastern Poland.
The recent decision in the Niebylec case — in effect a win — is a good sign for the lawsuits still ahead of me. Therefore I am entering the next year, the 2021 with a smile and hope, and I wish you the same!
Thanks to you, I became a full-time activist! I am very grateful to you for your support because it allows me to act!