Homophobia and Discrimination on

in 2003 by the Campaign Against <strong>Homophobia</strong>. Thirty pictures of gay <strong>and</strong> lesbian
couples holding h<strong>and</strong>s were shown in galleries <strong>and</strong> on billboards in the biggest Polish
cities. The campaign sparked a heated debate in the media on LGB issues. 30
Uncovering attitudes to different groups, such as LGBT, is not measured only by
reference to ‘having one as neighbour’. Extending a survey of this kind to a more varied
set of situations produces a better picture. As an illustration, in Cyprus, a study prepared
for the Ombudsman Office probed a variety of situations showing, for example, that
respondents would be more uncomfortable with homosexuals caring for or teaching their
child or being close relatives than with homosexuals being friends or doctors, <strong>and</strong> less
uncomfortable if the homosexual was a colleague or a neighbour. 31
European surveys: same-sex marriage <strong>and</strong> adoption
Attitudes towards same-sex marriages <strong>and</strong> child adoption provide another indication of
the acceptance of LGBT persons in society. The 2006 Eurobarometer notes:
'The survey […] shows that openness towards homosexuality tends to be quite limited.
On average, only 32% of Europeans feel that homosexual couples should be allowed to
adopt children throughout Europe. In fact, in 14 of the 25 Member States less than a
quarter of the public accepts adoption by homosexual couples. Public opinion tends to
be somewhat more tolerant as regards homosexual marriages: 44% of EU citizens
agree that such marriages should be allowed throughout Europe. It should be noted that
some Member States distinguish themselves from the average result by very high
acceptance levels: the Netherl<strong>and</strong>s tops the list with 82% of respondents in favour of
homosexual marriages <strong>and</strong> 69% supporting the idea of adoption by homosexual
couples. Opposition is strongest in Greece, Latvia (both 84% <strong>and</strong> 89%, respectively) <strong>and</strong>
Pol<strong>and</strong> (76% <strong>and</strong> 89%).' 32
30 See http://niechnaszobacza.queers.pl/index_en.htm (23.10.2008).
31 Cyprus College Research Center (2006) ‘Attitudes <strong>and</strong> Perceptions of the Public toward Homosexuality’,
Cyprus College
32 Eurobarometer 66 (2006), pp. 43-46, available at
http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/eb/eb66/eb66_en.pdf , (16.12.2008)
Part II - The Social Situation
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