Gay rights groups
condemn Polish president

Gay rights groups and politicians in Ireland have condemned Polish president Lech Kaczynski for antigay remarks he made on a recent state visit, reports the BBC-UK.

Kaczynski said the human race "would disappear if homosexuality was freely promoted." One of Ireland's openly gay politicians, Sen. David Norris, called the president a "disgrace to the European community" and said Kacsynski's comments were "ignorant, unsophisticated, and a disgrace."

Kaczynski has come under fire in the past by gay rights groups for antigay remarks. He has said he opposes homosexuality being "freely promoted" or "treated as one of several choices." As mayor of Warsaw he banned gay pride marches for two years. Kaczynski denies he is homophobic and says he has gay friends.

Joan Burton, the Irish Labour Party's finance spokeswoman, said his remarks were "a pity given people's efforts to remove crass and gross discrimination." (The Advocate)