Thousands attend Budapest Pride in protest against anti-LGBTQ+ legislation

Carrying rainbow flags and dancing through the streets, thousands of Hungarians celebrated the annual Budapest Pride parade on Saturday, pledging to keep protesting against the government’s anti-LGBTQ+ policies, ‘Reuters’ reports.

Since 2010, Prime Minister Viktor Orban has promoted a Christian-conservative agenda, and in 2021, he banned the “promotion of homosexuality” among minors despite strong criticism from rights groups and the European Union.

“It's very important to be here ... to show we exist and that we matter,” stated 30-year-old Anna Reti, who participated in the capital's march, noting that many LGBTQ+ Hungarians face discrimination and hostility in their daily lives.

“For example, I went out in the street the other day with some rainbow accessories and people stared,” she added.

Image Credit: Canva

In Hungary, gay marriage is not recognised, and only heterosexual couples can legally adopt children. Orban’s government has redefined marriage in the constitution as a union between one man and one woman and has restricted gay adoption.

The government claims the 2021 law aims to protect children and does not target the LGBTQ+ community, but it has caused anxiety among gay, bisexual, and transgender Hungarians.

Last year, some booksellers were fined for selling books depicting homosexuality that were not wrapped in plastic as required by the legislation. Additionally, in November, a museum director was dismissed after the institution allowed minors to visit a World Press Photo exhibition featuring LGBTQ+ content.

Before Saturday’s march, the embassies of the United States, Germany, and 33 other countries urged Hungary to protect LGBTQ+ rights and repeal laws that discriminate against the community.

U.S.A. Ambassador David Pressman was among several diplomats who joined the Pride event.

“This is an amazing country with a rich history of people standing up and fighting for freedom,” he told reporters. “The people here who are marching today are doing so in the best traditions of the country.”

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