Hungarian government limits Pride parade from child protection reasons

Hungarian government limits Pride parade from child protection reasons

The Hungarian government is strengthening its measures against the annual Budapest Pride Parade, which has been taking place for almost 30 years. Minister of State Gergely Gulyas said that the parade should not "dominate public space" and referred to alleged "child protection" issues.

government acts and constitutional changes

Gulyas commented on an information event by the government and also announced changes in the Hungarian constitution. In the future, the definition of gender should encompass "biologically male or female", and it should be anchored by law that "a child's right to physical, intellectual and moral development is above all other considerations." In the run -up to this year's Parade, Gulyas said that the Pride should take place in a "closed room" this year instead of moving through the streets in the city center of Budapest.

reactions of the LGBTQ+ community

Neela Ghoshal, senior director of law, politics and research of the LGBTQ+organization Outright International, commented on the decision with the words: "The idea of force pride into a closed space is funny about Pride's concept." She described the claims on child protection as "pure lies" who aimed to manipulate the public and to sacrifice human rights for everyone.

historical restrictions of the LGBTQ+ rights in Hungary

The Orban government has long relied on child protection to undermine the LGBTQ+rights in the country. In 2020 the same-sex adoption in Budapest was practically forbidden . At the time, Orban explained that this step would strengthen "the protection of Hungarian families and the security of our children".

A year later, a law followed that banned the spread of content about gender changes or homosexuality to under 18 years of year. The European Commission found that this law violates "a number of EU regulations" and violates "human dignity, freedom of expression and freedom of information".

The struggle for human rights continues

In 2022, the Commission initiated a procedure against Hungary because the ban "discriminates against people due to their sexual orientation and gender identity". With his State speech on Saturday emphasized Orban on Saturday "Not allowed to give in- we shouldn't stop protecting our children" and advised the pride organizers "not to bother to prepare for the parade, as it would be a waste of time and money".

Support of Stadtoberhärtter

The Mayor of Budapest's press office, Gergely Karácsony, explained that it is "natural and natural for him to work for Pride". For him, the commitment to Pride is both conviction and the obligation as mayor of a diverse and free city. Karácsony will take part in an already planned meeting with the organizers of Budapest Pride on Friday, whereby the meeting had won "a new meaning in view of the current situation".

set a strong sign

The slogan of this year's march is "We are at home". The organizers emphasized that over the years there had been "countless" attempts to ban the march, all of which failed. "Ultimately, Pride is a demonstration, whether with twenty or tens of thousands of people, and it will take place," said the explanation. "We are not only fighting for the Budapest Pride Marsch or the LGBTQ community-we fight for the right of all Hungarians to protest, to express their opinion and to stand up for themselves."