The Poland government has passed a new law that will bar same-sex couples or single gay and lesbian people from adopting children.
The country's nationalist ruling party has tough antigay policies.
The passing of the law is expected to intensify the clash between the nation and the European Union, which had previously criticized the country for violations of LGBT rights. European Union officials have called on Poland to be respectful of its citizen's rights - particularly those in the LGBT community.
Poland's ruling party argues that the proliferation of gays in the country is a threat to its Roman Catholic culture. The Law and Justice Party said gay rights would destroy the country's traditional lifestyle.
Couples and single people that want to adopt will have to be vetted. People found to be cohabiting with someone of the same sex will be barred from adopting. Only opposite-sex couples and single straight people will be allowed to adopt children.
"We are preparing a change where...people living in cohabitation with a person of the same sex could not adopt a child, so a (gay or lesbian) couple will not be able to adopt a child," deputy Justice Minister Michal Wojcik said.
Wojcik said that the law was passed to protect children. LGBT rights activists disagree - with some saying the law is instead punishing children.
"You really have to be a mean human being to deny children a home, whether that would be in a same-sex or heterosexual couple. Children deserve a home," LGBT activist, Bartosz Staszewski, said.
Poland along with neighboring Hungary has passed several laws to curb gay rights. In Poland, more than 100 towns have declared themselves to be "LGBT-free zones." In response, the European Union has threatened to cut off funding.
The European Parliament this week adopted a new gay rights resolution declaring all European Union territories to be "LGBTIQ Freedom Zones."
