On Tuesday, Hungary's parliament passed a law that bans LGBTQ+ pride events

On Tuesday, Hungary's parliament passed a law that bans LGBTQ+ pride events, including the renowned Budapest Pride march that draws thousands annually.
The legislation, introduced just a day earlier, was expedited through parliament due to the ruling coalition's supermajority, which enables them to amend the constitution.
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The law received approval with a vote of 136 to 27 and has the backing of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's Fidesz party and its minority coalition partner, the Christian Democrats. Eroding LGBTQ+ Rights in Hungary: This law marks the latest move to diminish rights and protections for LGBTQ+ individuals in Hungary. Orbán's administration has previously enacted similar laws, including the controversial "child protection law" in 2021, which prohibits the inclusion of LGBTQ+ people in educational materials and media aimed at minors. The recent legislation aligns with the government's belief that the annual Pride march could potentially harm children, prioritizing this stance over the right to assemble.
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Those attending banned events face fines up to 200,000 Hungarian forints (approximately $550, €500), which will be allocated to "child protection," as stated in the law. Authorities may also employ facial recognition technology to identify participants at prohibited events. Budapest Pride Organizers Condemn the Legislation: The organizers of Budapest Pride strongly criticized the bill after it was initially introduced on Monday. In a statement, they described it as "political theater," accusing the ruling party of exploiting the LGBTQ+ community for its own benefit and declaring, "We refuse to be anyone's scapegoat."

They also highlighted the government's misplaced priorities, stating, "While more and more people are facing hunger in Hungary, the Prime Minister's focus is on banning human rights protests." Hungary has recently faced significant inflation challenges amid a rising cost of living crisis. Orbán, who has been in power since 2010, has been criticized for undermining democratic processes. The country is scheduled for elections in 2026.
Edited by Bosman

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