WASHINGTON – LGBTQ+ Victory Institute is proud to announce European MP Robert Biedroń from Poland as the 2025 Global Trailblazer Award recipient. This esteemed honor recognizes the remarkable accomplishments of LGBTQ+ political leaders worldwide.
“Robert is a true trailblazer in every sense of the word. His visibility as the first out gay politician in Poland and his diligent work to improve LGBTQ+ rights and gender equality have shifted perspectives on LGBTQ+ people across the country,” says LGBTQ+ Victory Institute President & CEO Evan Low. “Whether it’s creating and leading Poland’s largest LGBTQ+ rights organization, building a progressive party and changing the status quo of national politics, or furthering human rights, Robert has made a recognizable mark on equal rights in Poland and beyond. LGBTQ+ Victory Institute celebrates representation because we know leaders like Robert will not only help change hearts and minds but also bring lasting change to their communities. We are overjoyed to award Robert with this significant honor and are grateful for his decades of service to our mission.”
Biedroń is a groundbreaking politician and LGBTQ+ rights activist in Poland. He is currently co-leader of the Polish New Left (Nowa Lewica) and of the governing coalition in Poland, as well as the founder of his own party, Spring (Wiosna). He is a human rights advocate and a Member of the European Parliament in the Socialists & Democrats Group. He chairs the Delegation for relations with the countries of the Andean Community.
Biedroń was the first openly gay person elected to the Sejm, Poland’s lower house, and was the former mayor of Słupsk before his election to the European Parliament. Before holding elected office, Biedroń founded the Campaign Against Homophobia to combat anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment and to raise visibility of LGBTQ+ people in Poland.
“This award is a reminder that visibility changes lives,” said Biedron about the honor. “It reflects not only my personal and professional journey, but also the journey of countless people who turned hope into change.”
The Global Trailblazer Award is LGBTQ+ Victory Institute’s most prominent recognition for LGBTQ+ politicians worldwide. The first recipient of the award, established in 2020, was Mexican Congressman Ana Lucía Riojas Martínez. Other past winners include Mexican first trans congress representative Salma Luevano, Colombian congressional representative Carolina Giraldo, Peruvian congresswoman Susel Paredes, and Guatemalan congressman Aldo Dávila.
The award will be presented at the 41st annual International LGBTQ+ Leaders Conference in Washington, DC, on December 5.
