Yes, the EU response in Poland to LGBTQ exclusion zones has been tepid at best. The EU could impose crippling sanctions on Poland, but they choose not to. It’s instructive on how little they are prepared to do for LGBTQ people. The EU does not care enough about our human rights to make them a true priority.

And let’s not forget the culpability of major religions.

Much anti-LGBTQ violence in Poland has been fomented by Roman Catholic bishops. They have literally incited mobs, comparing LGBTQ people to Soviet communists and organizing marches and protests that have led to beatings of LGBTQ people.

Pope Francis has done literally nothing to stop them, and he has not addressed the Polish people or said anything to anyone in the world about the vile depravity his leaders are up to in Poland.

In other parts of Eastern Europe, the Eastern Orthodox Church is just as culpable as the Roman Catholic Church, with high leaders literally inciting violence against members of gender and sexual minorities.

The EU and leaders of organized religion have to become more moral. They have to stop looking on violence against LGBTQ people as ordinary and acceptable. People around the world must call political and religious leaders out for their moral depravity.