I first heard this discussion on PRI today, but here's a good article that sums it up:
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2013/03/04/poland-former-president-says-the-place-for-gay-people-in-parliament-is-behind-a-wall/Lech Walesa, former President of Poland and wining of the Nobel Peace Prize, was once known as a leader in Democratic and Human Rights in Soviet Poland; though now no longer active in politics he is often interviewed by Polish TV. Poland, like many other countries, is debating the possibility of recognizing civil unions for both straight and gay couples. While being interviewed on his opinions on LGBT rights in Poland, Walesa said that LGBTs are a minority and should not trample the majority, and said that LGBT members of parliament should not sit in the front row, that they should be behind the wall. Poland has an openly gay and transgender member of parliament.
PRI (Public Radio International) discussed how many Pols, particularly the younger generation, is disgusted and embarassed by Walesa's comments. Pols know that Walesa is known internationally and understand that his views impact the ways others view Poland. The younger generation has been able to freely travel Europe since Poland joined the EU, and has since seen other cultures and the inclusion of LGBT individuals in daily life in these other countries, and feel that Walesa's comments aren't in line with modern day Polish culture.
In response to Walesa's comments, the gay MP, Robert Biedron,and trans MP, Anna Grodzka, has sit in the front row on Parliament.
