Feminist and LGBTQ+ Counter-Mobilization Against Anti-Gender Movements in Poland: From Reactive Protests to Strategic Engagement

In recent years, Poland has witnessed a surge in anti-gender mobilization, driven by far-right political actors, ultra-conservative organizations, and the Catholic Church, which frame gender equality and LGBTQ+ rights as existential threats to Polish identity. These movements have employed a mix of legal, political, and media strategies to marginalize feminist and LGBTQ+ activism. In response, Polish feminist and LGBTQ+ movements have developed increasingly sophisticated counter-mobilization strategies, evolving from reactive protests to proactive and strategic engagements. This paper examines the transition in these movements' approaches, particularly since the 2020 near-total abortion ban, which marked a critical juncture in feminist activism.

Initially dominated by mass street protests, the movement has diversified its tactics to include legal challenges, public education campaigns, and active participation in the political arena. Feminist and LGBTQ+ activists have built coalitions with political allies, launched public health and reproductive rights campaigns, and engaged in targeted actions aimed at dismantling structural barriers to gender equality. Notably, the collaboration among feminist organizations has enabled the formation of "integrated activism," combining direct action with sustained efforts to influence public policy.

However, with almost two years having passed since the transition from a far-right government to a more democratic one in Poland (parliamentary elections in October 2023), the paper also critically reflects on the effectiveness of these new strategies. Have they succeeded in achieving meaningful progress, or do the entrenched socio-political structures continue to present significant obstacles? By analyzing the outcomes of feminist and LGBTQ+ initiatives post-governmental change, this paper explores whether these movements have truly managed to influence policy or if the normalization of far-right ideologies still holds a strong grip on public discourse.

The research was conducted within the framework of the FIERCE project (Feminist Movement Revitalizing Democracy in Europe), funded by the Horizon Europe program.