QUEERWARSAW
Konstytucji Square
Konstytucji Square The square was created in the first years after World War II. New monumental districts were then built on the ruins of the city. Sometimes, as it happened there, remaining hotels particuliers were destroyed to give space to the “new times” monument. This is the only place in our city with a pure soc-realistic architecture. All lovers of this style will be delighted seeing not only the buildings, but also the huge lamps and other “urban furniture”. The volleyball player neon remains of the artistic “advertisements” of the communist times (on Piękna Street, the neon was set up in 1961). For many years such ads have been left forgotten, only recently the trend is to restore them. The new Museum of Modern Art starts a collection of Polish neons. Other examples we can find of the then “school of light design” are Delikatesy TR in the restaurant of that name in the TR. Warszawa building or the set “Polonia”, today at the entrance of the theatre created by Krystyna Janda. For us, this place is important for other reasons. On 27th November 2005, the Gay Pride Parade took place here to support the gay pride march in Poznań, brutally dispersed by the police. More than 2000 people gathered and at the end of the demonstration, they created with light the inscription “art. 57”, reminding of the constitutional right of assembly, provided for in Article 57. In the following years, the Equality Parade crossed the square many times on its way to the Parliament. See also: ▶ Gay Pride Parade, ▶ Teatr Polonia
Kopciuszek [Cinderella] bar, at the corner of Marszałkowska Street and Jerozolimskie Avenue, now closed
A restaurant popular in the 1950s and located at the corner of Jerozolimskie Avenue and Marszałkowska Street; it is one of the oldest gay venues recalled in printed memoirs that we found:
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In the early 1950s “our” most popular place was Kopciuszek at Jerozolimskie Avenue. The pre-war style interior with dimming lights created a nice atmosphere. In the left corner there was an old piano and the same old lady would play romantic tunes. Small tables, filled with chairs, wonderful (unfortunately female) staff made the pleasant atmosphere. Most guests were young people …. Everyone knew each other well and knew “who was with whom”. …The personnel, although female, knew their way around the guests, were discrete and caring. Later at night you could go for a walk with someone you met there and you would know nothing bad would happen.
In his book Zły [The Man With the White Eyes New York, Knopf, 1959] Leopold Tyrmand wrote:
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