The Hungarian Parliament has adopted a law banning future Pride events in the country. The law also allows authorities to use facial recognition to identify participants in such events.
While the aim is said to be to protect children from sexual propaganda, the decision has also attracted strong criticism from voices who believe that the rights of LGBT people are now being further curtailed in the country.
The bill, put forward by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s ruling party Fidesz, was passed by 136 votes to 27, with support mainly from its coalition partner, the Christian Democrats, reports the Associated Press.
The party justifies the law on the grounds that events like Pride can be very harmful to children. Already in 2021, Hungary passed a law that prohibits “promoting or depicting homosexuality and gender reassignment for persons under the age of 18″.
Under the new law, people participating in or organizing Pride events risk a fine of up to around €500. Authorities may also use facial recognition to identify participants.
Child protection: ✅
Pride march: ❌Today, we voted to ban gatherings that violate child protection laws. In Hungary, a child’s right to healthy physical, mental, intellectual, and moral development comes first. We won’t let woke ideology endanger our kids.
— Orbán Viktor (@PM_ViktorOrban) March 18, 2025
“Frontal attack on the LGBT community”
During the vote in Parliament, MPs from the liberal Momentum party set off smoke flares in rainbow colors as a protest. Later, thousands of demonstrators gathered in Budapest and blocked the Margaret Bridge over the Danube in protest against the law.
Amnesty International described the law as a “…frontal attack on the LGBTI community” and the Mayor of Budapest, Gergely Karácsony, condemned the decision and declared that the capital belongs to everyone.
BREAKING: Hungary bans LGBTQ+ Pride events in public since chiIdren might be present. 136 to 27 vote in parliament.
Opponents set off smoke bombs: pic.twitter.com/isTl2a2hiP
— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) March 18, 2025
Despite the ban, Budapest Pride organizers plan to hold this year’s parade as planned on 28 June. They stress the importance of standing up for everyone’s right to demonstrate.
The Hungarian government defends the law as a necessary measure to protect children from what it describes as “sexual propaganda”, but the opposition argues that the law is aimed at diverting attention from other political issues in the run-up to the upcoming elections.
The decision has further increased tensions between Hungary and the European Union, which has previously criticized the country’s LGBT policies.
In summary, the new law bans Pride events in Hungary, with severe penalties for participants and organizers.
