In a controversial decision, Hungary’s parliament has enacted a law prohibiting LGBTQ+ Pride events, including the increasingly popular Budapest Pride March, which regularly draws large crowds. This legislation was rapidly advanced through parliament, facilitated by the ruling coalition’s remarkable supermajority, allowing them to alter the constitution as they saw fit. The law emerged from a 136-27 vote, with strong backing from Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s Fidesz party and their coalition partner, the Christian Democrats.
This latest measure signifies another significant decrease in rights and protections for the LGBTQ+ community under Orban’s administration, which has previously instituted a “child protection law” that restricts the representation of gay individuals in educational materials and media for minors. The newly introduced law variously depicts the annual Pride march as a potential threat to children, prioritising this viewpoint over the right to peaceful assembly. Those attending banned events may face fines reaching up to 200,000 Hungarian forints ($550, €500), which are designated for “child protection” initiatives, while authorities might also deploy facial recognition technologies to identify participants in these prohibited gatherings.
The response from Budapest Pride organisers was one of sharp condemnation, branding the legislation as empty and politically motivated. Their statement noted, “It’s nothing more than political theater — the ruling party is using the LGBTQ community for its own gain. But we refuse to be anyone’s scapegoat.” Additionally, they critiqued Orban’s government for neglecting pressing socio-economic issues, stressing that countless Hungarians face food insecurity while the government prioritises restrictions on human rights protests. As inflation in Hungary continues to escalate amid a cost-of-living crisis, Orban’s position remains precarious as he gears up for elections in 2026.
Hungary’s parliament passed a law banning LGBTQ+ Pride events, pushed through with a 136-27 vote, primarily supported by Prime Minister Orban’s Fidesz party. This legislation, aimed at limiting LGBTQ+ rights, follows a pattern of restrictive laws targeting the community. Fines for attending banned events can reach up to 200,000 forints, and authorities may use facial recognition to identify attendees. Organisers of Budapest Pride condemned the law as political theatre and a distraction from pressing socio-economic issues.
The Hungarian parliament’s recent enactment of laws banning LGBTQ+ Pride events signals a worrying decline in rights for this community under Viktor Orban’s government. The rapid passage of the legislation, coupled with prior restrictive measures, reveals a clear focus on curbing LGBTQ+ representation and prioritising alleged ‘child protection’ over freedom of assembly. With rising socio-economic challenges in Hungary, the ruling party faces substantial criticism for its approach to human rights, underscoring a troubling trajectory ahead of the 2026 elections.
Original Source: www.dw.com
