Lambda Warsaw
Lambda Warsaw Association is the oldest operating Polish LGBT organisation. It was founded in October 1997 by activists of Rainbow Centre, which existed from 1995 to 1997. As a public interest organisation, its aim is to create a positive gay and lesbian identity, and build social tolerance toward sexual minorities.
In 2004, the association acquired the status of a public interest organisation, and has been a part of the Mazowia Federation since then.
Fields of activity
- Psychological help and support for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people: setting up a helpline ; office duty of psychiatrists, therapists, and lawyers; Gadu-Gadu Messenger duty; Internet chat duty; support and meeting groups.
- HIV/AIDS and addictions prevention: Safer Relationships programme, street- and partyworkers’ actions in LGBT clubs; office duty at Lambda Warszawa HQ; Internet chat duty; addictions prevention projects; internet portal www.bezpytan.pl.
- Cultural and social actions addressed to LGBT people: The Film Club; library and reading room; organising discussions and meetings about LGBT literature; active students’ group
- Anti-discrimination actions: Report on Sexual Discrimination in Poland ; social actions: Global Village ; Living Library project; anti-discrimination trainings. Along with Campaign Against Homophobia and other LGBT organisations from across the Europe, Lambda Warszawa annually gives Tolerance Award for sexual orientation-based anti-exclusion policy. Polish Tolerance Award laureates are Kazimierz Kutz, Piotr Pacewicz, Marzanna Pogorzelska, and Zbigniew Holda. Thanks to Lambda Warszawa presidents, Yga Kostrzewa and Krzysztof Kliszczynski, along with activists from other Polish LGBT organisations, the European Court of Human Rights pronounced illegal the ban put by the president of Warsaw, Lech Kaczynski, on the Equality Parade in 2005.
Projects
- Helpline and Legal and Psychological Help Programme: started in Rainbow Centre in 1995, running since then
- Safer Relationships programme: HIV/AIDS prevention since 2000
- Report on Sexual Discrimination in Poland: 2000, 2001, 2002, and 2005–2006
- Sunday with Lambda project from 2002 until 2004: monthly movie and discussion meetings in Bastylia, a pancake shop in Warsaw
- I Choose Tolerance project : an action connected to self-government elections in 2006
- Season for Rubber project : all-Poland informational action about the usage of condoms
- Co-creation of Polish National Campaign Committee : committee coordinating Polish campaign All Different-All Equal by Council of Europe
- Global Village project: anti-homophobia action
- Academy of Anti-Discrimination project: trainings for self-government officials and non-governmental activists as part of European Year of Equal Chances for All
- Living Library Project: Let’s Talk About Diversity
- Counselling service: www.bezpytan.pl
- Stonewall Fund: Lambda Warszawa Microgrant Fund
- Counteract discrimination - it is not difficult! project : project against discrimination based on gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion or age.
Authorities
Authorities of the association are elected by its members during general election meetings. Term in office of the management lasts two years, and, as chairpersons, there have been:- Michal Pawlega
- Yga Kostrzewa
- Krzysztof Kliszczynski
- Dorota Bregin
Publications
- Report on Sexual Discrimination in Poland
- Against Discrimination. Education Pack for Trainers
- Let’s Talk About Diversity. Living Library. A Book of Good Practice
- A Legal Guide for Lesbians, Gays, and Transsexuals
- A Guide for Helpline Operators