Sex as a cultural battleground – Poland and the fight over sexual morality | DW Documentary

The topic of sexuality has polarized polish society – conservative sex education in schools, a deeply rooted catholic sexual morality and a government that openly demonizes sexuality in minors.

Required sex education doesn‘t exist in conservative Poland. Only the optional course, “Preparation for family life” is offered, molded by the over conservative watchful eye of the church. Schools in theory still have the option through clubs and NGOs to supplement their sex education outside of classrooms, but in reality, this only happens in a select few of the larger cities. If it the government‘s conservative ruling party, PiS, has its way, even this opportunity won‘t be available for much longer. A new law has been proposed that would make providing sex education to minors de facto illegal, and punishible with up to three years of jail time. The initiative was championed by the homo- and transphobic alliance “Stop Pedofilii”, which means to “Protect children and adolescents from sexual violence through LGBTQ-activism”, as stated on their banner.

Their homophobically motivated crusade against sex education is supported by the government and comes at a time when the social climate for non-heteronormative people in Poland is becoming more and more dangerous. Meanwhile, almost 80 municipalities and districts have declared themsevles “LGBT-free zones”. How do those affected live in such a political climate? The documentary accompanies young Polish women in their struggle for progressive sex education and for an open Poland.

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