A group of over 40 Polish economists and lawyers have jointly appealed for Poland to introduce same-sex marriage, arguing that it is not only the right thing to do morally but could also boost the country’s economy.
“The lack of [same-sex marriage] constitutes economic discrimination against some households in Poland and has a negative impact on the Polish economy,” they wrote in a public letter published by news service Onet.
“Without wanting to diminish other reasons for introducing same-sex marriage, including respect for civil liberties and human dignity, we would like to draw attention to important legal and economic aspects in this context,” continue the signatories.
They argue that in Poland – where even civil partnerships are not permitted – same-sex couples face discrimination compared to opposite-sex ones when it comes to taxes, inheritance, health insurance, and rights relating to children and property.
This can worsen economic insecurity for same-sex couples and in some result in them moving to countries with a better legal situation for LGBT people, thereby draining Poland’s human capital.
“Research shows that same-sex marriages can improve the situation of spouses on the labour market and increase their income and chance of owning a home,” write the economists and lawyers.
“Support for same-sex marriage is not an expression of liberalism, leftism or conservatism, but the belief that its absence creates unjustified economic discrimination, and that their introduction could contribute to Poland’s economic development,” they conclude.
The signatories also reject the argument, often raised by conservatives in Poland, that the constitution bars the introduction of same-sex marriage. While it outlines “special protection of marital unions between men and women, that does not exclude the introduction of other marriages alongside them”, they write.
Among the figures to put their name to the letter are Henryka Bochniarz, a former government minister and head of the Lewiatan Confederation, Poland’s largest employers’ organisation; Sławomir Dudek, chief economist of the Civic Development Forum (FOR); and Marcin Matczak, a prominent law professor.
For the last three years running, Poland has been ranked as the worst country in the European Union for LGBT people when it comes to their legal situation and the social climate they face.
As well as same-sex couples lacking the right to form legally recognised partnerships or adopt children, LGBT people have also in recent years faced a vocal campaign against “LGBT ideology” led by the ruling national-conservative Law and Justice (PiS) party and parts of the Catholic church.
However, research indicates growing support among the Polish public for greater rights to be granted to LGBT people. This year, a poll found that a majority of 64% favour the legalisation of same-sex civil partnerships or marriage.
Last month, Donald Tusk, leader of Civic Platform (PO), the largest opposition party, pledged to introduce same-sex partnerships if he comes to power. The second-largest opposition group, The Left (Lewica), supports full marriage equality.
Main image credit: Krzysztof Karolczyk / Agencja Gazeta
Daniel Tilles is editor-in-chief of Notes from Poland. He has written on Polish affairs for a wide range of publications, including Foreign Policy, POLITICO Europe, EUobserver and Dziennik Gazeta Prawna.
