Budapest Defies LGBTQ Ban With Massive Pride March

More than 100,000 people marched through the city of Budapest, Hungary on Saturday, June 28th, protesting a new law banning LGBTQ events, including the country’s annual pride parade.

The law, approved by politicians earlier this year, is alongside the ruling Fidesz-Hungarian Civic Alliance party led by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, claiming to “protect children” from revelation of demonstrations or portrayals of LGBTQ identity. Under that provision, individuals participating in LGBTQ-themed events will be fined up to 200,000 forints (approximately $586) and police are allowed to use facial recognition technology to identify participants.

Critics argue that the law violates the right to freedom of assembly. The outrage is raging, with a large number of straight allies who were the city’s official pride parade on Saturday taking part in a more modest gathering of LGBTQ people and supporters historically.

Prior to Saturday’s parade, Orbán warned people not to attend, threatening “clear legal consequences” for those who attended. According to New York Timesparticipants faced fines, but organizers put their prison sentences at risk of up to one year.

Budapest mayor Gelgary Kalaksony, a member of the Liberal Green Party, has declared it a local government event that does not require police permission, citing the co-organization by the City Hall. He called it the “Budapest Pride Freedom” and framed a march to celebrate Hungary’s revived freedom following the withdrawal of Soviet troops and the collapse of communism in 1991.

Police argued that the parade remains illegal and that Karaksony lacks the authority to ensure that attendees are not prosecuted. The lawyer advised marchers to refuse to quote. Meanwhile, the Orban’s justice minister said police will use surveillance cameras to identify participants and mail notifications of the fines.

Authorities granted the permission of the anti-LGBTQ March to match the Pride Parade, but most news outlets in Budapest reported that it was not attended much. According to New York TimesWhen a small group of nationalist supporters blocked the bridge on the original route, the Pride Marchers simply used another bridge to cross.

The Pro-Fidesz media, ahead of the parade, tried to shake public opinion by revealing slightly covered photos of men and women, only simulating sexual activity at Pride events in San Francisco and Berlin. They also distributed images from the Youth Music Festival, which was assumed as “proof” that LGBTQ people would threaten Hungarian children.

Recognizing these tactics, organizers urged attendees to avoid exposure to genital and nipples and to respect local norms. The majority of Marchers wore shorts and T-shirts.

Police were primarily observed from bystanders, avoiding predictions of large-scale conflicts between law enforcement and members of the LGBTQ community. A small brawl broke out between attendees and Dutch evangelicals walking through the crowd and screaming “traitor to God,” followed by the Bible-wielding Swedes.

Failing to deliver the promised emissions to the right-wing audience, Pro Fudes outlets shifted their focus to traffic disruptions and small brawls. Magyaru Nemzet Running banner headline: “Confusion in Budapest Pride.” Reports highlight how anti-LGBTQ voices continue to distort reality and slander the community, even if there is no controversy.

Hungarian Prime Minister Orban is expected to face serious challenges in next year’s elections. His main opponent, Peter Magyall, is a former member of the Fides, whose Tisa Party currently controls Fides, and is gaining popularity by distant distance from the excesses of the political left. Wanting to damage his position, Orban and his media allies seek to press Magyaru to take a clear stance in Budapest’s pride and portray him as a social liberalism indifferent to “protect children.”

“The majority of Hungarian voters have no problems with pride. [LGBTQ] Peter Cleco, director of the Institute of Political Capital, a Budapest-based think tank, Washington Post. “But on the right, this is the topic to play.”

“The most painful thing for me is seeing how stupid they all think we are,” said the editor, a special education teacher who was the first to attend the Pride Parade. New York Times. She called anti-LGBTQ rhetoric in light of government fears “a distraction from all theft and other real issues in this country.”

Another attendee named Luka said BBC She wants a country of “diversity” and fears that her daughter will grow up “in a country that doesn’t love who she wants.” She warned that banning pride events would set a dangerous precedent for limiting freedom beyond the LGBTQ community, including the right to frame.

“We have laws that prohibit people from gathering different people than others,” Luke said. “This is why we’re here, because it hurts our rights. That’s why we came.”