A new law was passed in Hungary this week banning all Pride events. The draconian legislation officially makes holding a public Pride event a criminal offense according to Outright International.
The bill, that was pushed through hastily thanks to an initiative from nationalist-populist Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, imposes crackdowns on civil rights throughout the country leading up to the 2026 general elections. It passed with a wide margin, with 136 votes in favor and only 27 against. The bill is aligned with Orbán’s rhetoric surrounding LGBTQ+ rights, i.e. that they are a threat to society, namely minors.
The new law not only bans LGBTQ+ events, but allows authorities to use facial recognition software to identify those attending such events, AP News reports. The decision saw several thousand protestors gather outside Hungary’s parliament in Budapest in response on Tuesday. Protestors also staged a blockade of the Margaret Bridge blocking traffic over the Danube River.
Under the new law, it is an offense to hold or attend events in violation of the country’s “child protection” bill. This bill bans not only depictions of homosexuality in media but also any public depictions of transgender or gender nonconformity, and bans the mention of LGBTQ+ issues and identities in schools.
In 2022, the European Union’s executive commission filed a case against Hungary’s so-called “child protection” law, arguing that it was discriminatory on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. This move is just the latest in Orbán’s campaign against human rights.
Orbán is a reported ally of Russia’s Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump, and is likely following the lead of these fascist rulers. In 2023, Russia deemed LGBTQ+ rights organizations and communities “extremist” and began removing any trace of them from the public eye. The U.S. slowly but surely has begun a similar process since Trump commenced his second term in office.
Those who violate the bill’s terms could be fined up to 200,000 Hungarian forints ($546). Budapest Pride organizers released a statement on Monday claiming the bill was meant to “scapegoat” the LGBTQ+ community and silence critical conversations of Orbán’s leadership, AP reports.
Pride organizers condemned the bill stating: “this is not child protection, this is fascism.” Budapest Pride is an annual event that brings in thousands of attendees every year to celebrate LGBTQ+ identities and rights.
