Dear Editor ([email protected]),
My name is Quinn Reeves and I am a Journalist located in Brooklyn. I hope you’re doing well in these uncertain times and keeping safe!
I wanted to pitch a story that I believe would fit in with the VICE issues section very well and is especially relevant right now. Currently, Polish citizens are fighting a big battle for human rights being threatened by their government. The newly elected Polish President Andrzej Duda and right-wing government are attacking the LGBTQ+ community with everything they have right now. According to a report published this year by ILGA Europe, Poland is the most homophobic and transphobic country in the EU. They have allowed LGBT-free zones to pop-up all-over Poland which means cities are allowed to pass local laws condemning “LGBT ideology”. According to the nonprofit Stonewall Poland, these zones currently take up one-third of Poland making many citizens feel targeted and unsafe.
I am planning to interview Polish Americans to get their opinions on what is happening in their home country right now. Through the Polish American contacts, I will also have access to individuals in Poland living through these protests. I would like to speak with them about their experiences and feelings towards the current political climate. My goal with this piece is to shine a light on the injustices happening in Poland, the affected people, and how they are fighting back. I have thought around an 800-word piece to sum all of this up.
In addition to the fight for LGBTQ+ rights in Poland, a week ago Poland’s already restrictive abortion laws have become even tighter. This new law has taken away a woman’s right to terminate a pregnancy because of severe fetal defects. Tens of thousands of people have taken to the streets to protests these human rights violations. With such a tense situation unfolding in Poland right now there is much to be covered and brought to light.
I look forward to talking more with you about this piece! I hope you have a safe and fun Halloween weekend.
Best,
Quinn Reeves