exiledfirejinx
24 Oct 2012
Love / How are lesbians seen in Poland (more info inside)? [31]
I am a lesbian who was born in Poland but moved with my parents and siblings to the US when I was 10. Since I came out to my parents their Catholic selves eventually accepted me through the years but they continued to tell me to stay in the closet from my family in Poland. I've spent all my summers in Poland (2 months) until after I graduated college and have been to visit there. As I was there I searched for the gay and lesbian culture but didn't quite know where to look and I wasn't about to ask my family so I always pretended to be straight. So, I am finally 29, living with my life partner of 3 years and we want to adopt (we live in Seattle which is very liberal and allows civil unions). I want to take her to see my country of birth and to finally come out to my family.
I read the news and know Poland isn't too gay friendly (coming out to my parents as a teen was a great example of that) but most news stories are also regarding gay men. I just wanted to get the perspective of Polish people since I can't talk to any of my family about this (my parents still think coming out in Poland is a bad idea).
How are lesbians treated there? When we visit, should we just pretend to be friends or could we walk down the streets holding hands (we'd be visiting Warszawa and Gdansk mostly)? I speak fluent Polish but have an accent (19 years in the US will do that to you) but my partner is American so I know we will be seen as American tourists first (which will be weird for me because I've never spoken English in Poland before). But how would lesbian tourists be perceived? Could we rent a hotel room together with one bed without a problem? And how do you think my family would respond, especially since I've pretty much hidden this part of myself for my entire life? I am so nervous planning this trip to Poland with my partner in the spring and any input would be appreciated.
Dziękuję bardzo!
I am a lesbian who was born in Poland but moved with my parents and siblings to the US when I was 10. Since I came out to my parents their Catholic selves eventually accepted me through the years but they continued to tell me to stay in the closet from my family in Poland. I've spent all my summers in Poland (2 months) until after I graduated college and have been to visit there. As I was there I searched for the gay and lesbian culture but didn't quite know where to look and I wasn't about to ask my family so I always pretended to be straight. So, I am finally 29, living with my life partner of 3 years and we want to adopt (we live in Seattle which is very liberal and allows civil unions). I want to take her to see my country of birth and to finally come out to my family.
I read the news and know Poland isn't too gay friendly (coming out to my parents as a teen was a great example of that) but most news stories are also regarding gay men. I just wanted to get the perspective of Polish people since I can't talk to any of my family about this (my parents still think coming out in Poland is a bad idea).
How are lesbians treated there? When we visit, should we just pretend to be friends or could we walk down the streets holding hands (we'd be visiting Warszawa and Gdansk mostly)? I speak fluent Polish but have an accent (19 years in the US will do that to you) but my partner is American so I know we will be seen as American tourists first (which will be weird for me because I've never spoken English in Poland before). But how would lesbian tourists be perceived? Could we rent a hotel room together with one bed without a problem? And how do you think my family would respond, especially since I've pretty much hidden this part of myself for my entire life? I am so nervous planning this trip to Poland with my partner in the spring and any input would be appreciated.
Dziękuję bardzo!