Life of Szymon Niemiec

We are moving...

Firstly thank you for visiting and/or linking to my blog, I really do appreciate it.
However, I moved my blog to a new URL and I would be grateful if you
could adjust your link accordingly. The changes are as follows -

http://szymonniemiec.typepad.com is now http://blog.szymonniemiec.pl

For the time being you will continue to get traffic from the old URL
until the transition to the new URL is complete. If you are not linked
to all three of these blogs and would like to be then please email me
on szymon.niemiec@gmail.com for a link exchange.

Many thanks for your help and support,

Regards,



Zdecydowałem się przenieść bloga na nasz własny serwer. Proszę uaktualnijcie linki na nowy adres: http://blog.szymonniemiec.pl/

Ta strona będzie działać do końca lipca. Dziękuję za odwiedziny.

Interview in German Radio Station

Thanks to Michael Handel I can share with you short interview, what was made by Germany radio station, and broadcast two days ago.
Thanks Michael

Happy Birthday Dear Friend!!!

Today I celebrate a very special day. My friend, editor and publisher of LMGTS blog has birthday.
He is 18...errr...ok, let say he is 21...wait a minute...no...ok, it is not important at all.
He is my very special friend, who helps me with my struggle.
So, today I wish him very good next year, and everything what is important for him. Let's his dreams became true.

Happy birthday Pal!

"Friends of Szymon" Foundation Letter

Dear friends,

We started this campaign to build and fund the nation’s first GLBT outreach center over one and half year ago. In October 2007 after 20 months under an oppressive government – it collapsed and a new government of tolerance was elected.

Poland’s GLBT community had several setbacks struggling against a pro-Roman Catholic mentality and staunch political nationalist elements even disagreement within opposing GBLT camps but some citizens in the new republic.

“Friends of Szymon Foundation” accomplished many things under enormous pressure and against amazing insurmountable odds – it took time, money and friends like you – legal paperwork to gaining a NGO status (Nongovernmental agency tax-deductible status.)  They have negotiated a three year building lease for the project to facilitate an HIV outreach and education point, GLBT HELP HOTLINE, professional interfaith and counseling point, etc.

The enormous task of raising the final 32, 000 Euros to complete the organizations building agreements on the lease of the physical space remains. This press release being sent out today is solely aimed towards recruiting, 1,600 international “Friends” to donate 20 Euros or more (tax-deductible) BEFORE 28 April 2006 our mission would be accomplished.

The annual Warsaw Poland Gay Pride will be held in June – “Friends of Szymon Foundation” is not affiliated with the festival itself although Szymon Niemiec founded the event in 2001.  If you help us and encourage your friends to also help ‘Friends of Szymon Foundation” would be well positioned to participate in “after” party festival hosting a worldwide “Homo erotic” Art festival.  The foundation has several worldwide artists in film, print, photography etcetera who have volunteered to contribute to an unprecedented month long forum in June.  This event would be hosted in the new GBLT Outreach facility which you can aide in establishing. International artist interested in participation may contact “Friends of Szymon Foundation” for additional information.

Help “Friends of Szymon Foundation” make history on both accounts by contributing 20 Euros or more today.  A unique opportunity has presented itself, if we wait idly by the time, our time will pass. We cannot afford to seize this moment, we could miss a unique opportunity to expand dialogue and gain our footing while the oppressive homophobic rhetoric has mellowed – it’s only a brief respite for us until the next election.  With your assistance now we’ll be more organized and prepared. We do not want to be forced to be returned into the closets.

Why should you contribute? Because a safe place for the community to assemble and organize is sorely needed in Poland. It is our responsibly to ensure that future GBLT generations and ourselves are not denied  sharing in the freedoms guaranteed in our new democratic republics constitution; the right to self–determination and basic human dignity is the birthright of every citizen of any democratic society.

Thank you very much for your support.

Friends of Szymon

PS. Help us by spreading this message, also join us on www.twitter.com (ADD US:

contact@friendsofszymon.org)

Please help to my project

Dear Friends,
Polish Gay People need your help.
Please support our Project by your vote.

I have a great idea to raise money for a charitable goal and I need your vote now so I can start fundraising at www.GiveMeaning.com.

Both GiveMeaning and I want to be sure the Project is viable, so I'm asking you to "vote" on whether you feel my proposal is worthwhile. When you vote, you're NOT making a financial commitment of any kind; you're simply indicating that you think it's a good idea and should go ahead.

Voting takes less than a minute, and it's easy - so please VOTE NOW, by clicking here http://www.givemeaning.com/proposal/fosz to review the project profile (and then just click on the Vote icon to cast your vote).

Thank you for showing your support in this way - with enough votes, I'll be able to work towards making my idea a reality.

I am still going forward

It is possible people to change their country from grassroots. In year 2007 my worldwide friends established the website FriendsofSzymon.org to help me with my biggest dream - Queer Central Station. This is to be the first LGBT Outreach Center in Poland.

After twenty month under the governance of a ultra-conservative homophobic parliament, president and premier that government collapsed and Polish began to live gain with some dignity.

 

I've start to work hard on helping other LGBT Polish persons and have great hopes of creating a united effort to engage diplomatically the new government to protect all minorities.

 

Today the discussion about legal partnership in Poland is very difficult but this is not the singular most important issues facing us. We should take smaller steps ensuring basic equality in education, work and living standards in Polish society. Homosexual marriage is a dramatic leap for our society and I believe that it is not the "Big" battle in achieving equality but not now. First we must organize and unite and challenge discrimination within our society which causes us to live in fear – forced into closets throughout our nation's villages, towns and cities much like undesirables. But, waiting for miracle is not good idea either. We should take this time to make long term plans to establish ourselves politically thought our nation.

Our first idea was bring action to forward to parliament a suggestion for a "Hate Crime Bill."  This is not a new ideal in fact it was introduced  in 2003 as an idea of left side parties, and although the left side parties publically claimed to support the legislation they  did nothing to advance it even though they were in the majority and complete control of government.

Polish laws punish by incarceration for hate against speech and actions against a person for sex, religion, nationality and race. But these same laws do not protect against hate crimes against individuals for homophobia. I've started to lobby as a private citizen to change these laws. The Polish Secretary of the State - Mrs. Julia Pitera has been formally presented with my proposal. In my suggestion to her and the Polish parliamentarians our nations Hate Crime Bill should include the words "any conditions".

 

"Friends of Szymon" Foundation was officially established in January 2007. It is my hope to use this organization as a vehicle for progressive change within my country towards greater tolerance of LGBT individuals.

I will have a few important meetings next week with parliamentarians and people from Department of Women, Family and Nondiscrimination of Ministry of Work and Social Politic. I want to push HC Bill through.

FoSz Foundation has more programs and projects which we hope our worldwide friends will join us in advocating. There is a saying in Africa,"If you want to go quickly go alone; If you want to go far - the distance - take friends". This sage advice along with the words of
Luciano de Crescenzo in our websites introduction, we use both as a motto's of inspiration. "We are each of us angels with only one wing, and we can only fly, by embracing one another. ". We started this journey but  we cannot achieve victory alone. Therefore we ask our universal friends combined with these visions and knowledge to walk with us along this journey.

 

Let's join forces to eradicate discrimination in this world. If we each do something this creates momentum and once we have momentum the crimson tide will overcome obstacles and barriers.

Polska wersja poniżej:

Did you have your GT copy?

Did you have your copy of Gay Times? No? So I think you should order one today!
Especially if you want know, what I think about Poland, Polish gays and new government.
In the January issue of GT, you can find my article about it.
So Girls and Boys...go to Gay Times website and check, what Mr. Niemiec has to say ;)

Polska wersja poniżej:

Blog Roku

Jeśli lubicie czytać mojego bloga i chcielibyście, aby dostał on tytuł Blogu Roku, wyślijcie proszę SMS o treści C00111 na numer 71222. W ten sposób zwiększycie moje szanse na dostanie się do finału, a także pomożecie chorym dzieciom.

Koszt SMS to 1,22 złote

Blogger of the year 2007

I am proud to announce that redaction of Polish news portal Wiadomosci24.pl put my blog into contest for title of "Blogger of the year 2007".
That's great surprise and nice new year's gift.

Happy New Year!!!

We almost are at the final step of 2007th year. Yeap..how this time is going fast.
What I can wish you for next days?
For sure good health. With strong body and spirit, everything can be easy.
I hope also, that next 12 months will bring all of you happiness and calmness.
Our goals will be accomplished and we will win our fights. Don't forget to visit my shop, and buy some gifts for yourself or someone, who you care about.
Let's make this 2008 Year of Happy People All Over the World.
Happy New Year Everybody!!!