Hungary: Thousands march during Budapest Pride festival

The march comes a year after Hungary passed controversial anti-LGBTQ legislation.

Crowds gathered by the Danube in 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) temperatures

Thousands took part in the annual Budapest Pride march on Saturday. Crowds gathered in sweltering temperatures to defend LGBTQ rights, a year after the passage of a widely criticized law viewed as a setback for the community. 

"It's a tool to divide people and pit them against each other," one person who attended the march told AFP news agency, referring to the law.

The bill was adopted in 2021. It banned the promotion and distribution of media for under-18s that features information on homosexuality and gender change.

"We are a backward society," a woman who attended the march to support her son told AFP.

"I cannot accept the fact that he is considered a second-class citizen in his own country," she added.

Embassies in Budapest supported Saturday's gathering with a joint statement issued ahead of the march. 

"We express our full support for members of the LGBTQI+ community and their rights to equality," the US Embassy said in a statement.

Counter protesters also gathered on one of the city's main bridges, carrying banners that compared homosexuality with pedophilia. 

The European Commission sued Hungary earlier this month over the law

Orban espouses anti-LGBTQ rhetoric during Romania address 

Prime Minister Viktor Orban asserted his support for the government's position on the law during a speech in Romania on Saturday

"The father is a man, the mother is a woman, leave our children alone," he said, while rejecting "Western nonsense" regarding the issue. 

The bill was promoted by Orban's government as a measure to protect children. It banned the promotion and distribution of media that features information on homosexuality and gender transition for those under 18 years of age. 

Hungary has recognized civil unions between same-sex couples since 2018. Gender transition and non-binary gender recognition is still illegal in the country. 

asw/wd (AFP, Reuters)

Flying the flag: Thousands march in

 defiant Hungary pride

Issued on: 23/07/2022 - 

Budapest (AFP) – Thousands of Hungarians marched in Budapest on Saturday to defend LGBTQ rights, a year after the passage of a law widely described as discriminatory.

Brightly dressed revellers took to the streets by the Danube under scorching heat, sporting rainbow umbrellas, flags and a giant heart.

Participants, who included foreign diplomats, condemned the text adopted in 2021 prohibiting "the representation or promotion" of LGBTQ among minors.

"It's a tool to divide people and pit them against each other," said marketing expert Armin, who declined to give her last name.

"To be honest (about the situation) it's quite depressing," said Pal Va, an 18-year-old student who said he will leave Hungary in September to study abroad.

"I'm lucky to have an accepting family and friends, but so many LGBTQ people I know have to hide," he said, adding that he was recently insulted in the street.

"Only because I was wearing a pink T-shirt."

Annamaria Nemet, a 54-year-old saleswoman, attended the event in solidarity with her son.

"I cannot accept the fact that he is considered a second-class citizen in his own country," she said.

The European executive has launched an infringement procedure against Hungary Ferenc ISZA AFP

"We are a backward society."

On one of the city's many bridges, counter-protesters displayed a banner comparing homosexuality with paedophilia.

The controversial law, originally aimed at fighting sexual crimes against children, caused an uproar in Europe last year.

Commission President Ursula von der Leyen previously called the bill "a shame".

The European executive subsequently launched an infringement procedure against Hungary, before referring the matter to the EU Court of Justice in mid-July.

The nationalist and ultra-conservative Prime Minister Viktor Orban, whose country is in the crosshairs of Brussels for its attacks on the rule of law, insists that the law is not homophobic and aims to "protect the rights of children".

On Saturday, during a speech in Romania, he reaffirmed the government's position.
Prime Minister Viktor Orban insists that the controversial law is not homophobic Ferenc ISZA AFP

"The father is a man, the mother is a woman, leave our children alone," he said, dismissing "Western nonsense" around the issue.

© 2022 AFP