Under the previous conservative Law and Justice (PiS) government, around one hundred local authorities adopted measures declaring themselves ‘LGBT-free zones’ or opposing what they referred to as ‘LGBT ideology’. These declarations drew sharp criticism from human rights organisations as well as the European Union. Brussels responded by suspending cohesion funds for regions that passed such resolutions, arguing they violated the EU’s core values.

Polish courts also opposed the zones. In 2022, the Supreme Administrative Court ruled that the declarations infringed upon the dignity and private lives of certain groups of residents, and stressed that the state has a duty to protect all its citizens — including minorities.

Following this ruling and financial pressure from the EU, most of the resolutions were eventually withdrawn, leaving Łańcut as the last municipality where such a measure remained in place. That is no longer the case.

Activist Jakub Gawron, known for his interactive ‘Atlas of Hate’ map highlighting areas with such resolutions, described the council’s vote as a significant message. According to him, “councillors have learnt a lesson not to be swayed by propaganda that appeals to their emotions,” Polish Radio reports.