Pride Month, celebrated globally each June, brings with it a vibrant calendar of events in Poland—on June 7 in Gdańsk and Wrocław, June 14 in Warsaw, and June 21 in Poznań and Słupsk. Against this backdrop, marketing agency LoveBrands Group and research firm SW Research conducted a nationwide survey to gauge Polish attitudes toward sexual and gender diversity. For the first time, these attitudes were benchmarked using the custom DEIndex, a metric developed by SW Research to assess Polish views on various aspects of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).
What is DEI?
DEI—Diversity, Equity, Inclusion—is a concept that promotes support for diversity across gender, age, religion, nationality, sexual orientation, and physical ability. It holds that inclusion not only furthers equality and social justice but also enriches work environments and creates added value.
For years, global corporations have engaged in Pride Month by launching rainbow-themed product lines or participating in equality parades. Will 2025 follow the same pattern? That remains to be seen. But the findings of this survey may offer some clues.
Polish Attitudes Toward LGBTQ+ People
According to the survey, 59% of Poles view diversity in terms of sexuality or gender identity positively, while 41% hold a negative view. Women are significantly more accepting (61% in favor), whereas men are more likely to oppose such diversity (44% against).
“DEIndex is a unique research initiative that offers insight into how Poles perceive diversity, especially sexual diversity,” said Prof. Jacek Męcina, labor market expert from the University of Warsaw. “The results suggest that Polish tolerance is increasing as stereotypes are challenged, with most people accepting LGBTQ+ individuals and being open to personal relationships with them. However, acceptance varies—women tend to be more tolerant, while men are more conservative. Age also plays a role, with younger generations showing the highest acceptance levels.”
What If Your Child Were LGBTQ+?
Interestingly, hypothetical scenarios become more complex when LGBTQ+ identity enters one’s personal life. If respondents found out their child belonged to the LGBTQ+ community, 86% of mothers would accept it, compared to 78% of fathers. Only 17% of respondents said they would not be able to accept such a revelation.
LGBTQ+ Friends and Neighbors
If a friend came out as LGBTQ+, 67% of respondents said this would not affect the friendship, while 19% would distance themselves, and 13% admitted they could not accept it.
As for neighbors, 88% of Poles would accept having an LGBTQ+ person living next door. However, 22% would try to reduce contact, and 12% said they could not accept such a neighbor at all.
LGBTQ+ People in Trusted Professions
Acceptance varies depending on profession:
- Doctors, nurses, or therapists: 84% acceptance, but 22% would reduce visits.
- Teachers: Only 52% would trust an LGBTQ+ teacher for their child. Nearly 30% would monitor their behavior more closely, and 19% would not accept it at all.
- Politicians: While 64% said an LGBTQ+ politician’s coming out wouldn’t affect their support, 36% would withdraw their support.
LGBTQ+ People in the Workplace
When asked about LGBTQ+ bosses or coworkers, the responses were similar:
- 63% said knowing a coworker was LGBTQ+ would not change their attitude (62% said the same about a boss).
- 11% admitted they would struggle to accept it in either case.
- Others would accept it but maintain a cautious distance.
LGBTQ+ Diversity vs. Other Types of Diversity at Work
According to the DEIndex developed by SW Research, LGBTQ+ diversity has the lowest acceptance rating in the workplace—-2.2 points on a scale from -100 to +100. Other forms of diversity fared significantly better:
- Gender diversity: +12.8
- Age diversity: +12
- Disability inclusion: +7
- Religious diversity: +1.4
- Nationality diversity: +1.2
This indicates that Poles view other types of diversity as more visible, acceptable, and positively impactful on workplace performance.
“The dip in tolerance for LGBTQ+ individuals in certain trusted professions is concerning,” Prof. Męcina noted. “What surprised me as a labor relations researcher is the particularly low tolerance for LGBTQ+ people in the workplace. This suggests that companies still have significant work to do in combating discrimination and fostering inclusive work environments. Lack of tolerance in professional settings—which are core to social cohesion—can lead to systemic problems.”
Conclusion: Openness or Entrenched Stereotypes?
The findings suggest that Polish society is divided. While a growing majority supports LGBTQ+ rights in theory, acceptance weakens when applied to real-life situations—especially in professional or parental roles.
Prof. Męcina concluded:
“I look forward to future editions of this study. Tracking these trends will show whether we are becoming a more open and tolerant society—or if we are deepening divisions and reinforcing dangerous stereotypes.”
Methodology:
The study was conducted by SW Research in April and May 2025 using the CAWI method (online interviews) on a representative sample of 1,016 Poles aged 16 and above.
