Budapest mayor grilled by authorities over Pride march inquiry
Budapest Pride Parade Organizer, Gergely Karácsony, Questioned by Police
In a bold move against the Hungarian government's anti-LGBTQ+ stance, Budapest Mayor Gergely Karácsony was questioned by police last Friday as a suspect for his role in organizing the city's 30th Pride parade[1][2][3]. The event, held on June 28, 2025, attracted a record crowd despite a government ban under the "Child Protection Act"[1][2].
The law, passed in mid-March, aims to prohibit all gatherings that violate the Hungarian LGBTQ+ law, which was passed in 2021 and bans the depiction of homosexuality in front of minors[3]. However, Karácsony, a member of the Green Party and in opposition to Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, saw the ban as a challenge to the city's values of freedom and human rights[1][2].
Karácsony responded to the questioning with a statement on Facebook, affirming that if standing up for freedom and LGBTQ+ rights is the price to pay, then he is proud of it[1][2]. He emphasized that neither freedom nor love can be banned or punished in Budapest, reaffirming the event as a symbol of dignity, resistance, and a major anti-government demonstration[1][2].
During the questioning, Karácsony did not answer any questions, citing legal grounds for his silence[1][2]. He also wore a t-shirt with the city's emblem and rainbow colors, a symbol of the LGBTQ+ community, during the police interview[2].
The police investigation is ongoing, but Karácsony expects it to be dropped before the elections next year[1]. The event, which sent a message of unbanning freedom and love in Budapest, was supported by hundreds of his supporters outside the police building and several members of the European Parliament who participated in the June protests to show their solidarity[2][3].
It is worth noting that the Hungarian government has been tightening restrictions on LGBTQ+ rights for years, leading to international criticism and concerns over human rights violations[3]. The English acronym LGBTQ+ stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer people.
References: [1] BBC News (2025). Budapest Mayor questioned over Pride Parade. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-61231153 [2] Reuters (2025). Budapest Mayor questioned over Pride Parade. [online] Available at: https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/budapest-mayor-questioned-over-pride-parade-2025-07-01/ [3] The Guardian (2025). Budapest Pride Parade defies Hungarian ban. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jun/28/budapest-pride-parade-defies-hungarian-ban
Community policy, as enforced by the police, is under scrutiny in the politics surrounding the questioning of Budapest Pride Parade Organizer Gergely Karácsony. This incident, part of the general-news cycle, is a testament to the ongoing conflict between the Hungarian government's LGBTQ+ policies and the city's commitment to freedom, human rights, and employment rights for all, as symbolized by the Pride parade.
