Ex-president Walesa tells gay people to stay out of politics
Sunday 03 March 2013
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EmailSupposed democracy icon Lech Walesa has sparked outrage in Poland by saying that gay people have no right to a prominent role in politics and must "adjust to smaller things."
Mr Walesa said on Friday during a TV discussion of gay rights that he believes gays have no right to sit on the front benches in parliament and, if there at all, should sit at the back "or even behind a wall."
A committee devoted to fighting hate speech filed a complaint with Gdansk prosecutors today, accusing him of promoting "propaganda of hate against a sexual minority."
Others questioned whether he would continue to be considered a moral authority at all.
"From a human point of view his language was appalling. It was the statement of a troglodyte," said parliamentary deputy speaker Jerzy Wenderlich.
"Now nobody in their right mind will invite Lech Walesa as a moral authority."
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