Experience

Hungary to ban Budapest Pride and doing so limits freedom of assembly 

Posted by Timothy on

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán (Fidesz) is seeking to ban Budapest Pride, arguing that it is harmful to children’s development. He has proposed a constitutional amendment to prohibit the event, stating that it is a waste of time and money. Budapest, of course, is a popular destination for qtraight and gay people alike.

If Orbán had his way, this year’s Budapest Pride would not take place. The event, which has been held annually for three decades, has come under renewed attack from his government. 

Orbán’s chief of staff, Gergely Gulyás, stated that Hungary should not have to tolerate a march through the city centre, claiming it could negatively affect children. When asked to provide evidence for this claim, he did not offer a detailed explanation, instead asserting that it was a matter of common sense. He added that a responsible family man would avoid the event altogether.

The organisers of Budapest Pride expressed disappointment but were not surprised. Orbán had already suggested that the event might not go ahead in his recent state of the nation address, warning supporters not to waste time preparing for it. 

Defiance

However, previous attempts to block the march have failed, and the organisers remain defiant. They emphasised that Pride is fundamentally a demonstration, allowing people to express their views and celebrate democracy.

The organisers also criticised the government’s focus on restricting rights at a time when many people in Hungary are struggling financially. They argued that instead of addressing pressing economic concerns, the government is prioritising symbolic issues and curtailing freedoms.

Since Orbán took office, LGBTQIA+ rights in Hungary have come under increasing pressure. Same-sex marriage is not recognised, and the constitution has been amended to define marriage exclusively as a union between a man and a woman. 

Sex education is restricted to teachings that align with conservative religious values, and books that depict homosexuality or gender transition cannot be sold publicly. Those who violate these laws face fines of up to half a million euros.

Dismantling of fundamental freedoms

Forbidden Colours strongly condemns the Hungarian government’s announcement that Budapest Pride “will not take place in a public form” this year. 

“This blatant attack on the human rights of LGBTQ+ people, orchestrated by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s autocracy, is yet another escalation in Hungary’s systematic dismantling of fundamental freedoms and European values”, the Belgian NGO says in a press release. 

“Hungarian Minister Gergely Gulyás justified the ban by claiming that “the country should not tolerate Pride marching through the city center”, aligning the move with a proposed constitutional amendment allegedly protecting children’s rights.” 

However, the government failed to provide any legitimate legal basis for how banning Budapest Pride would uphold this principle, Belgium‘s international LGBTQIA+ advocacy group argues.

Rémy Bonny, Executive Director of Forbidden Colours, denounced the decision, calling it “a disgraceful attempt to erase LGBTIQ+ visibility and silence an entire community”.

An attack on democracy

“This is not just an attack on Budapest Pride, it’s an attack on democracy itself”,  Bonny stated. 

“Freedom of assembly and expression are fundamental rights in the European Union. If Hungary gets away with banning Pride, what’s next? The dismantling of fundamental freedoms and European leaders cannot afford to look away. This is the next step in the execution of Russia‘s playbook by Hungary.”

The Hungarian government’s decision is part of a broader pattern of anti-LGBTQIA+ policies, including its 2021 anti-LGBTIQ+ law, which equates LGBTIQIA+ visibility with harm to minors, and its crackdown on independent media and civil society organizations, and originated from Russia’s 2013 anti-LGBTIQIA+ law.

“This is the latest chapter in Orbán’s authoritarian playbook”, Bonny continued. 

“He is using LGBTQ+ people as scapegoats to consolidate power, undermine democratic institutions, and deflect from his government’s corruption and economic mismanagement. The European Union must respond with concrete actions—mere words of concern are no longer enough.”

Forbidden Colours urges the European Commission to launch an immediate infringement procedure against Hungary for violating EU treaties on fundamental rights as soon as these declarations are implemented. 

Firm action

“Furthermore, we call on the European Council to recognise the dramatic violation of EU fundamental values in Hungary by finally triggering article 7 of the Treaty on the European Union, depriving Hungary of its voting rights. The Council of the European Union should also consider freezing EU funds to Hungary until it complies with European democratic values.”

“We cannot allow EU taxpayers’ money to fund a government that systematically dismantles human rights”, Bonny added. 

“The time for hesitation is over. The EU must show that its commitment to democracy and human rights is not negotiable.”

Forbidden Colours stands in full solidarity with Budapest Pride and the Hungarian LGBTQIA+ communities. 

“We will continue to work with European institutions, EU national governments, civil society organizations, and activists to fight back against Orbán’s oppressive regime.”

Forbidden Colours

Brussels-based Forbidden Colours is a LGBTQIA+ fund aiming to support LGBTQIA+ struggles. The fund was started in 2020 by Gabriel Goffoy, Benoit Vancauwenberghe, Gregory Hye, Didier Brouwers, Peter de Caluwe and Olivier Onghena ‘t Hooft. Political operator and LGBTQIA+ activist Rémy Bonny is its executive director.

“We want all LGBTI people to be able to get up every morning feeling it is okay to be who they are. But what we want is far removed from reality because too many still face discrimination or exclusion because of their sexual orientation”, Forbidden Colours says.

“Our name is inspired by the Hidden Flag organisation, an international group of LGBTI activists exposing the rainbow flag in countries where our community is heavily repressed, by wearing coloured football shirts.A life without the freedom to love and live as you are born, is a life without colours. We stand up against any kind of repression, discrimination and exclusion of LGBTI people so that their sexual orientation is no longer a restraint.”

Forbidden Colours is the first LGBTQIA+ fund hosted by the King Baudouin Foundation, founded in 1976 by the late King of the Belgians, Baudouin.

The selection and follow-up of projects is carefully implemented by the Management Committee composed of the representatives of the King Baudouin Foundation, the founders of Forbidden Colours and three external advisers.

Turbulent times

Since Donald J. Trump‘s second inauguration as President of the United States, the eyes of the world are on the USA, Russia, Ukraine, China and and the Trump Administration‘s relationship with the European Union, Canada, Mexico and Greenland.

Sometimes it all looks comical, farcical. Sometimes the bullying comes close to home. In that context, autocrats feel invigorated.

LGBTQIA+ and travel