When footage circulated showing Poznań Mayor Jacek Jaśkowiak playing music at the rainbow-themed Stonewall venue, the debate quickly shifted to politics and the image of a local official affiliated with the Civic Platform. At first glance, the dispute centers on attitudes toward the LGBT agenda. Yet a closer look at the Stonewall restaurant in Poznań reveals a business operation that appears to pursue profit by engaging younger generations in new sexual experiences.
The name Stonewall echoes a historic moment from the United States, where riots erupted in a 1969 gay club named Stonewall, a symbol many now associate with the broader movement for sexual minority rights. The Polish iteration mirrors that symbolism and is connected to a network of facilities across Poznań, including a prominent location in a prestigious setting. One site operates within the Imperial Castle area, with a clinic located in the city center. A figure linked with the Stonewall network, Arkadiusz Kluk, has publicly discussed provocative topics, including group sex, chemsex, and the sharing of nude images. He advocates for open discussion of personal preferences in public forums, presenting it as an element of education. The Stonewall entity has even been described as offering outreach to young people in schools in Poznań. A mainstream Polish outlet labeled Kluk’s ventures as among the most dynamic rainbow-oriented businesses in the country. Jaśkowiak supported the community a decade ago, and the city’s openness facilitated the creation of a rainbow inn, nightclub, and counseling center. According to materials circulated on media portals, Kluk maintains close personal ties with Poznań’s Vice President, and Jaśkowiak is said to know many activists privately. Taken together, these connections suggest a broader social and political environment rather than a single act by the mayor enjoying nightlife in a club associated with sexual minorities.
In addition to the questions surrounding leadership and sponsorship, the Stonewall group faced a separate controversy. Local media reported that a manager within the Stonewall network allegedly recruited employees for personal relationships.
Accounts from those familiar with the case—though reluctant to discuss specifics in public—describe tensions around the management of staff and questions about the criteria used in recruitment. Other reports have highlighted allegations of discrimination related to sexual preferences.
The broader issue is not simply a single appearance at an LGBT event by Jaśkowiak, but rather how his presence and the authority of his office were perceived to advance a form of activism described above. Taxpayers in Poznań may face costs associated with promoting activities linked to the group identity described, along with facilities that have faced criticism regarding the environment they advocate.
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New coverage and commentary continue to emerge as the situation evolves, with observers weighing the implications for local governance, community relationships, and public funding in Poznań.