The Hungarian Parliament approved a law earlier this week by the far-right government of Viktor Orbán that makes Pride events illegal, with 136 votes in favor and 27 against. This vote represents an unprecedented move in recent EU history, which Amnesty International calls a “blatant attack” on the rights of LGBTQI+ individuals. During the vote, opposition MPs lit colorful flares in Parliament as a form of protest.
The new law builds on a 2021 law aimed at the “protection of children,” which prohibits the promotion of “homosexuality and gender transition” to minors. The new bill also makes gatherings that violate this law illegal.
Budapest Pride has been held annually since 1995, with around 35,000 participants each year since 2021.
Organizers of Budapest Pride stated that the law “is not about protecting children, but is fascism,” emphasizing that they will “fight for the freedom of all Hungarians to protest.” They also confirmed that the 30th anniversary of Budapest Pride will take place as planned on June 28.
The new law also permits authorities to use facial recognition software to identify participants in Pride, who will now be attending illegally, and impose fines of up to €500.
The Pride ban comes one year before Hungary’s national elections, leading some analysts, according to the “Guardian,” to speculate that the ban aims to win over more far-right voters.
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