Tens Of Thousands Attend Hungarian LGBT+ Pride March, Defying Ban
Tens of thousands of people took to the streets of the Hungarian capital Saturday to participate in a banned LGBT+ Pride march, in a major show of defiance against conservative Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, whose government threatened legal consequences for participants, the Washington Post reported.
On Saturday, members of the LGBT+ community, their supporters, and European Union lawmakers marched across Budapest, waving rainbow flags and carrying signs mocking Orban.
It was considered the largest Pride event in Budapest’s history, with local media estimating that around 100,000 people participated, although no official figures were confirmed.
The march defied new legislation passed in March by Orbán’s ruling Fidesz party that bans public events portraying or allegedly promoting homosexuality for “child protection.”
The law also allows the use of facial recognition technology to identify individuals who participate in such events. Last week, Justice Minister Bence Tuzson warned that organizing a banned event could carry a one-year prison sentence, while attending one would be classified as a misdemeanor.
Despite the threats, Budapest’s liberal mayor Gergely Karácsony attempted to bypass the ban by registering the event as a municipal gathering, which does not require a permit, according to Reuters.
Police warned that the march was still banned, but during Saturday’s event, they were seen keeping the peace between Pride attendants and anti-gay counter protesters.
Still, some organizers expressed concern that the use of facial recognition technology could result in penalties for participants after the event.
Orbán and his Fidesz party – which have dominated Hungarian politics for 15 years – have faced mounting criticism over democratic backsliding, and sanctions by the EU.
Opponents and rights groups argue that the Pride ban and broader anti-LGBT+ measures are part of a wider crackdown ahead of next year’s elections, where Fidesz is expected to face strong competition from the center-right opposition Tisza party
A recent poll showed Tisza leading Fidesz by 15 points.
Subscribe today and GlobalPost will be in your inbox the next weekday morning
Join us today and pay only $32.95 for an annual subscription, or less than $3 a month for our unique insights into crucial developments on the world stage. It’s by far the best investment you can make to expand your knowledge of the world.
And you get a free two-week trial with no obligation to continue.
