Thousands of people join Budapest Pride to protest against LGBTQ+ policies

Author: Anita Komuves

BUDAPEST (Reuters) – Carrying rainbow flags and dancing in the streets, thousands of Hungarians celebrated the annual Budapest Pride parade on Saturday and vowed to continue protesting against the government’s anti-LGBTQ+ policies.

Prime Minister Viktor Orban, in power since 2010, promotes a Christian-conservative agenda and in 2021 banned the “promotion of homosexuality” among people under 18 years of age despite sharp criticism from rights groups and the European Union.

“It’s very important to be here… to show that we exist and that we matter,” said 30-year-old Anna Reti, who took part in the march in the capital, adding that many LGBTQ+ Hungarians face discrimination and hostility.

“For example, one day I went out into the street with rainbow accessories and people were staring,” she said.

Same-sex marriage is not recognized in Hungary and only heterosexual couples can legally adopt children. Orban’s government redefined marriage in the constitution as a union between one man and one woman and limits adoption by homosexual people.

His government has said the 2021 law is intended to protect children and does not target the LGBTQ+ community, but it has caused concern 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 law.

In November, the museum’s director was fired after the institution allowed people under 18 to visit the World Press Photo exhibition featuring LGBTQ+ content.

Ahead of Saturday’s march, the embassies of the United States, Germany and 33 other countries called on Hungary to protect the rights of LGBTQ+ people and abolish laws that discriminate against members of the community.

U.S. Ambassador David Pressman was one of several diplomats who joined the Pride event.

“It’s an amazing country with a rich history of people who rose up and fought for freedom,” he told reporters. “The people who march today do so in the best traditions of the country.”