The gay press was an extremely important element of building a gay environment. The beginning was marked by an organized militia action against
gays that caused diverse reactions: some people emigrated from Poland and some
tried some other methods of activism.
Action Hyacinth
The raid against Polish homosexuals called Hyacinth Action (1985-1987) caused a lot of confusion in the gay community. As a result, 11,000 people were registered in so-called "pink files" that have not been found to this day.
Filo
Action Hyacinth directly contributed to the establishment of the first gay journal in Poland titled "Filo". From 1986 to 1990 it was publshed in form of zine, in the years 1990-2001 as monthly magazine. Since 1997 the magazine has changed its title to "Facet". The initiator and first editor was Ryszard Kisiel from Gdańsk.
Interview with Ryszard Kisiel. 2017 (2017)Original Source: Polish
Here is an extract from an interview with Ryszard Kisiel - the founder of "Filo". Please select language version of the subtitles.
Filo zin, no.1. Front page by Ryszard KisielOriginal Source: Polish
Filo zin, no12, front page by Ryszard KisielOriginal Source: Polish
Filo zin, page 3. by Ryszard KisielOriginal Source: Polish
Information on AIDS was a very important topic in the 80's and 90's. Ryszard Kisiel was also the author of the first known leaflet on HIV / AIDS in Poland.
Leaflet on HIV / AIDS (1985) by Ryszard KisielOriginal Source: Polish
an extract of the first Polish leaflet on HIV/AIDS by Ryszard Kisiel
Registration of the first Polish LGBT Association
After the fall of communism in Poland (1989), the gay and lesbian community was so active that it was decided to legalize the first organization. Telegram to Ryszard Kisiel from the activist of the Wrocław Stage about the registration of the Association of Lambda Groups on February 20, 1990, the first official organization working for gays and lesbians in Poland.
Filo. Front page (1990) by FiloOriginal Source: Polish
From 1990 to 1997 "Filo" was available as a monthly in official distribution.
Filo. Front page (1991) by FiloOriginal Source: Polish
Filo 05.1993. Front page (1986)Original Source: Polish
Filo. Front page (1995) by FiloOriginal Source: Polish
Filo 10.1996. Front page (1996)Original Source: Polish
Several issues of "Filo" have been published with the addition of Gay and Lesbian magazine with clear information that the magazine is also addressed to lesbians.
Filo. Front page (1999) by FiloOriginal Source: Polish
In 1997 the name "Filo" was changed to "Facet". In 2001 "Facet" was stopped being published.
The end of an era. A picket area in Gdańsk, which was a place of gay trysts for almost 100 years. It will be destroyed soon. Today, Ryszard Kisiel can still show where gays were meeting in Gdansk during his youth.
Historical Club LGBTQIA and Fem of Fundation Q
