Hungary Permits LGBTQ+ Parade amidst Prohibition of Other Public Protests
** title: Hungary's Controversial Crackdown on Pride Events: A Gray March Against Orbán's Regime
** Intro **
Hungary's vibrant LGBTQ+ community is facing a stormy summer as the government continues its crackdown on pride events. On June 28, the city will witness a pride march, but its sister event on June 1 was unfortunately banned. This repression is underpinned by a series of controversial laws passed by ultranationalist leader Viktor Orbán's party, Fidesz.
** The LGBTIQ Ban **
The ban on the June 1 march was enforced due to a law passed by Fidesz last March. This controversial amendment prohibits content that "promotes or shows deviations from the gender assigned at birth, gender reassignment, and homosexuality." Pride Budapest, organizers of the annual event, called the law "fascism." Those attending these marches could face fines of up to 200,000 Hungarian forints (around 500 euros), with facial recognition technology to enforce fines.
** The European Union's Response **
In response to the ban, 17 European Union countries, including Spain, submitted a declaration opposing the move. They urged the European Commission to take action against Hungary and uphold fundamental rights such as freedom of expression, right to peaceful assembly, and privacy. On the same day, European Commissioner for Justice Michael McGrath condemned Hungary's actions.
** A Sea of Gray **
Domestic protests against Hungary's recent legislation have been fierce. In April, thousands of Hungarians marched through Budapest's streets in a "gray march" to mock Orbán's norms, which prohibit LGBTIQ+ multicolored flags at demonstrations. The Two-Tailed Dog Party, an ironic and satirical political formation, organized the event to defend diversity and liberal democracy.
**Looking Ahead **
As tensions escalate between Hungary and the EU, it remains to be seen how the government will respond to growing pressure to respect fundamental rights. Meanwhile, Hungary's LGBTQ+ community continues to fight for their place in society, using creative protests like the gray march to make their voices heard.
The controversial laws passed by Fidesz, particularly the amendment that prohibits content promoting LGBTIQ+ issues, have led to an average public sentiment against the ultranationalist leader, Viktor Orbán. Despite the ban on the June 1 pride march, general-news outlets in Europe have reported on the domestic protests, such as the gray march, which have grown in response to the ongoing crackdown on Pride Events.
