Lodz, May 4-9, 2026
All human beings are born free and equal (...)
- Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, UN, 1948
15 years ago, in 2011, the first Equality March took place in Lodz. Over the
years, the equality movement in Poland, as well as our organization, have
come a long way. We believe that each of us has the right to live in freedom,
respect, and dignity, and that Poland is a place for all of us. Once again,
we invite you to...
Equality March in Lodz: May 9, 2026
For years, the Equality March in Lodz has been a space for meeting, courage, and solidarity. This year we say clearly: the right to be yourself without fear is not a demand of one group - it is the foundation of a safe and just society. In a world where disinformation and exclusionary language increasingly replace honest debate, we need not silence but light. That is why we take to the streets not only to celebrate diversity, but also to expose lies and show the truth. When the dignity of some is questioned, the dignity of all is at risk.
This year\'s Equality March is an invitation to everyone - regardless of orientation, identity, views, or experience. We are not speaking only about "LGBT+ rights." We are speaking about the right to live without fear, with respect, with honest information and equal treatment. These are issues that affect workers, families, young people, and seniors. Human rights are not a privilege or an ideology - they are the shared foundation of democracy.
In public space we too often hear narratives rooted in fear: about a "threat," an "ideology," or "protecting children from alleged danger." These slogans do not protect anyone - they build political capital on division. The Equality March is a response to that strategy. It is a mirror reflecting manipulation and a spotlight that illuminates facts. We stand for education, reliable knowledge, and responsible language. A society grounded in truth is stronger than one fed by fear.
Lodz is not a random location for this demonstration. It is a city of work, solidarity, and the struggle for dignity. A city of textile workers, laborers, and social activists - people who for generations proved that collective action matters. Lodz\'s legacy is a history of demanding justice and better living conditions. Today we place the Equality March in that same tradition - a tradition of courage and responsibility for the community.
That is why we say: this is a shared cause. LGBT+ rights do not exist separately from workers\' rights, free media, or independent courts - they are part of the same value system. When the rights of one group are undermined, the whole foundation of democracy is weakened. Human rights are not a cake that leaves less for others. They are a structure that either protects everyone, or stops working.
This year\'s March is special - it is the 15th Equality March in Lodz and another edition of the Equality Marathon, which has become one of the most important social events in the city. Fifteen years of presence in public space is proof of the perseverance of the community, allies, and organizers. It is a story of courage in times of opposition, of building dialogue where walls were raised, and of consistently reminding that equality is not a passing fashion, but a lasting value. We walk the streets of Lodz because we believe a society based on solidarity is stronger than one based on division. We march to invite, not exclude. To shed light, not cast shadows. To remind that each of us has the right to live in truth and without fear.
Time for community. Time for courage. Time for equality.
Join us for the 15th edition of the Equality Marathon in Łódź—a series of cultural and educational events aimed at fostering dialogue, raising awareness, and drawing attention to issues related to equality.
Monday, 4 may 2026 6:00pm, Centrum Aktywności Miejskiej Pomorska 11
Have you ever thought about the lyrics of Beyoncé song: “If I were a man”? In early May, you’ll have the perfect opportunity to tap into “masculine energy” for a moment. Join us for a unique three-hour workshop, during which you’ll learn who drag kings are and discover examples of artists from Poland and around the world. You’ll learn masculine face contouring and create your own drag king-style makeup under the guidance of an experienced artist.
The workshop will be led by Nicky M – a performer and streamer, and a member of Łódź’s House of Eleganza, who has performed on drag stages across Poland from Rzeszów to Szczecin, as well as at pride parades. The organizer of the “Queer Fanfic” contest invites you you to sign up. The event will take place on May 4 (Monday) from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM at MeMoteka at 5 Moniuszki Street. Admission is free, though leaving a tip at the end of the event is . Participants are asked to bring their own cosmetics, brushes, and a small mirror. This is a great opportunity to gain knowledge you can use while preparing for the Łódź Equality March.
Monday, 4 may 2026 6:30pm, Niebostan
Join us for a special edition of TheOneQuiz—a recurring event held every Monday at Niebostan. This time, the event will focus on equality, offering a casual and accessible way to test your knowledge of equality in its broadest sense. There will be plenty of interesting facts, stories, and references to local initiatives, including questions about Equality Factory and the Equality March in Łódź. The event will take place on May 4 (Monday) at 6:30 PM at Niebostan. Admission is 10 PLN per person. The event is organized by GraMateusz. Get ready for an evening full of knowledge, good vibes, and fun together—more details will be available soon.
May 4th - May 8th, 2026, Kino Charlie
Join us for a unique week celebrating cinema filled with stories of diversity, freedom, equality, and courage.
The program features films that move, inspire, and surprise, showcasing a wide range of emotions.
This is a space for reflection, emotion, and sharing important narratives together.
Schedule:
Tuesday, May 5 2026 18:00, Fabryka Aktywności Miejskiej
Join us for an intimate workshop as part of the Equality Marathon, dedicated to reflecting on queer identity— what it means to us, how it evolves, and what significance it holds in our lives.
> The session will provide a safe and supportive space where, through individual exercises and group work, participants will have the opportunity to take a closer look at their own experiences, emotions, and stories. The workshop encourages participants to pause, practice mindfulness, and share what is important—always in an atmosphere of respect, voluntariness, and mutual support.
This is an opportunity for people who want to deepen their understanding of their identity, meet others with similar experiences, and spend time in an open, empathetic space.
Tuesday, May 5 2026, 6:00 p.m., Dąbrowskiego Square
Join us for a unique walking tour tracing the history of Łódź’s LGBTQ+ community, during which we’ll discover stories that have remained in the shadows for years. The event will take place on May 5 at 6:00 p.m., starting at Dąbrowskiego Square. This is a unique opportunity to see Łódź from a completely different perspective and understand its multifaceted culture, which is often overlooked by traditional guidebooks.
Your guide through these extraordinary traces will be Jacek Solista, a renowned chronicler of Łódź’s LGBTQ+ community. During the walk, he will talk about the Grand Theater, which for years served as a mecca for gay culture, and about the first “Most Beautiful Gay Man in Poland” contest. Guests will also hear about the high-profile trial “Her Perfection vs. the Printer,” memories of karaoke nights hosted by Michał Wiśniewski, and the dark, still-unresolved story of a serial killer of Łódź’s gay men, who unfortunately evaded punishment.
To bring this little-known chapter of the city’s history to life, we will present dozens of previously unpublished photographs during the event. This event, organized by Equality Factory, is aimed at anyone interested in history, culture, and human rights. We cordially invite everyone to join us on this fascinating journey through time and space along the streets of Łódź.
Wednesday, 6 may 2026 3.00pm Biblioteka TUVIM
The Living Library is a unique space where, instead of books, you “borrow” people— individuals who face stereotypes and prejudices in their daily lives. It’s an opportunity for honest conversation, to ask questions, and to learn stories that are rarely told in full. This year, we are taking a special look at intersectionality in the fight for equality. Because identity is not made up of a single element. Even when talking about LGBT+ people, we are not just talking about sexual orientation or gender identity, but about the entire tapestry of experiences that make up a person: background, social class, ability, faith, mental health, and everyday living conditions.
During the event, you’ll meet Living Books whose stories illustrate how these different layers intertwine and how they shape the way we are perceived and treated.
Wednesday, 6 may 2026 4.30pm Medioteka MeMo
Three angels and three demons meet. The trumpets of the Apocalypse have sounded; the end of the world is near. The time has come to unite the Four Keys of the Apocalypse— two divine and two cursed, and to decide the details of this end of the world. Except that this whole… Apocalypse, Armageddon, or Judgment Day… well, it all sounds so boring, wrong, and over the top. Do we really need this?
The game is inspired by: John Milton’s *Paradise Lost* (particularly Books I and II); Mike Carey’s *Lucifer*; Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett’s *Good Omens*; *The Prophecy* (the three films), C. S. Lewis’s *The Screwtape Letters*, and the Bible. Players will receive two-page character sheets with certain predefined connections and motivations. The first hour of the game will be devoted to workshops helping to build the world around the characters. The LARP itself will last about two hours, during which players will move around the physical space and talk to one another. Players can take on the roles of Angels or Demons, pondering what to do about this whole Apocalypse.
Thursday, May 7 5:00 pm, 6 dzielnica
On May 7, we’ll see you at our now-familiar mini-benefit for the queer refugee community from South Sudan, in the form of a collage workshop! This time, it’s being held under the auspices of Fabryka Równości in 6 Dzielnica as part of the Equality Marathon ahead of this year’s Equality March. All materials will be provided on-site, but we encourage you to bring your own, especially scissors and glue. There will be a 30 zł entry fee, the entirety of which will be distributed among three fundraising campaigns for queer refugees from South Sudan that we have verified.
We are very excited to reach a new audience and to address the issue of how queer activism is interconnected with—and must collaborate with—migrant and anti-colonial activism. A vast portion of global homophobia, transphobia, and misogynistic violence stems from the repression of colonialism. We cannot effectively combat these phenomena in isolation without addressing the root cause of cis-hetero patriarchy based on white supremacy. Queer people and migrants are victims of fascist “divide and conquer” politics, and in times of economic crisis, they become scapegoats blamed for the problems—most often of the poor—of a given region or country. That is why we, as queer people, should know best what solidarity is, how to express it, and how to fight these systems of oppression. Financial support for queer refugees—in this case, from South Sudan—can be just such a gesture of solidarity (in an accessible form).
Thursday, 7 may 2026, 5.30pm Biblioteka Wolność 5
We invite you to a unique panel discussion featuring surgeons who, in their daily practice, perform gender-affirming procedures for transgender and non-binary individuals. This is a rare opportunity to engage directly with medical experts and get reliable answers to questions that often cause uncertainty. We will discuss the specific requirements before consultations—what documents, formalities, and diagnoses are necessary to begin the process. We will also discuss the course of the procedures themselves, the realistic results you can expect, and key aspects of self-care during the postoperative period.
During the meeting, we will also discuss the broader medical context, including how the current medical community is responding to the latest ICD-11 guidelines. We will examine what changes are needed for the healthcare system to better meet the needs of transgender and non-binary people. The goal of the event is to provide practical knowledge, debunk myths, and create a space for open, fact-based conversation about health and gender affirmation in the context of surgery.
Friday, May 8th 6:30pm, Kino Charlie
“Bad Poles” dir. Kamila Ćwiklińska + Q&A with the filmmakers (auditorium) Our guests will be the film’s director, Kamila Ćwiklińska, and one of the protagonists, Franek Broda A fresh take on contemporary Poland—ironic, at times bitter, but spot-on. A discussion with the filmmakers will follow the screening.
FREE ADMISSION! Reservations required at https://tiny.pl/xy-v9tcd4The 15th anniversary Equality March will be the culmination of a week-long series of events. We are coming together to show that Łódź is an open, supportive, and safe city for everyone.
Date: 9 may 2026
Place:Stary Rynek, Łódź
March route:
Stary Rynek, Nowomiejska Street, Wolności Square, Legionów Street, Zachodnia Street, A. Próchnika Street, Piotrkowska Street, G. Narutowicza Street, J. Kilińskiego Street, Franciszkańska Street, Wojska Polskiego Street, Zgierska Street, Stary Rynek
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