The European Union has denied funding to six Polish towns that declared themselves to be “LGBT-Free Zones.” In announcing the decision on Thursday, the European Commission said it was affirming that the union stands for equality for all people. “EU values and fundamental rights must be respected by Member States and state authorities,” European Commissioner for Equality, Helena Dalli, wrote on Twitter. “This is why six town-twinning applications involving Polish authorities that adopted ‘LGBTI free zones’ or ‘family rights’ resolutions were rejected,” she added. The towns, which have not been identified, had applied to join the European Union’s twinning program, which links towns together “to guarantee peaceful relations” and “reinforce mutual understanding and friendship” between European citizens. Under the terms of the program — which provides funding of up to €25,000 ($29,000) — the scheme should be accessible to all European citizens, without any form of discrimination.