In a strong display of solidarity with Hungary’s LGBTQ+ community, more than 70 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) plan to join this year’s Budapest Pride on 28 June, despite a recent national ban on such events.
Earlier this year, Hungary’s ruling Fidesz party, led by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, pushed through a controversial constitutional amendment banning Pride events across the country. The amendment, passed by Parliament with a vote of 140 to 21, falls under the newly implemented Assembly Act. It not only criminalises public Pride gatherings but also grants authorities permission to use facial recognition technology to identify those who attend.
Despite the government’s ban, Budapest Pride organisers have announced plans to proceed with the annual parade. In a statement, they urged “international allies, activists, and friends” to join them in marching through the Hungarian capital.
Among those responding is Dutch MEP Kim Van Sparrentak, a member of the Greens/European Free Alliance, who confirmed she will participate to “support the LGBTIQ+ community in Hungary, to let them know that they are not alone (and) to be visible as a community.”
“Pride is a protest,” she added. “And if Orbán can ban Budapest Pride without consequences, every Pride is one election away from being banned.”
Marc Angel, Luxembourgish MEP and vice-president of the European Parliament, echoed similar concerns, saying his participation aims to show support not just for LGBTQ+ individuals but also for “all of civil society” currently facing repression in Hungary. “I will be defending the right to assemble as a fundamental European right,” he stated, hoping to inspire pro-democracy Hungarians with the message: “You are not alone.”
These gestures of defiance coincide with a joint letter from 20 EU member nations condemning the Hungarian legislation and urging the European Commission to take decisive action. The signatories called for swift use of the EU’s legal mechanisms, including potentially suspending funding to Hungary and launching infringement procedures for breaching EU law.
The letter also criticised Hungary’s use of surveillance technology at public events, with countries such as France and Germany voicing concern over the move’s potential threats to freedom of speech, peaceful assembly, and privacy rights.
“Respecting and protecting the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all people, including LGBTIQ+ persons, is inherent in being part of the European family,” the letter stated. “This is our responsibility and shared commitment of the member states and the European institutions.”
Hungary’s crackdown on LGBTQ+ rights has drawn comparisons to policies in Russia, another nation promoting so-called “traditional values.” Similar to Russia’s “gay propaganda” law, Hungary has introduced measures prohibiting the “depiction or promotion” of homosexuality to minors.
Dávid Bedő, an opposition lawmaker from the Momentum party, described the legislation as part of a broader trend. “Orbán and Fidesz have been dismantling democracy and the rule of law for the past 15 years,” he said. “In the past two or three months, we see that this process has been sped up.”
Public backlash has been visible. In April, protesters gathered for a “Gray Pride” march led by the satirical Two-Tailed Dog Party. Participants, dressed in grey, carried signs mocking the government, including messages such as “being uniform is cool” and “listen to your heart, death to colours.”
Despite increasing repression, both international and domestic voices continue to speak out. As Budapest Pride approaches, the event is set to become a powerful act of resistance against growing authoritarianism in Hungary.
