Hungary’s parliament passed a sweeping anti-LGBTQ+ law on Tuesday, banning Pride celebrations and authorizing the use of facial recognition technology to identify attendees, a move that has ignited widespread protests and drawn sharp condemnation from human rights groups.
The legislation, which passed in a 136-27 vote, amends Hungary’s assembly laws to criminalize events deemed to violate the country’s contentious “child protection” legislation. This law prohibits the “depiction or promotion” of homosexuality to minors under 18, effectively outlawing Pride marches and similar gatherings. Violators face fines of up to 200,000 Hungarian forints ($546), with funds redirected to state-run child protection programs.
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The measure, backed by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s Fidesz party and its coalition partner, the Christian Democrats, has been widely criticized as an authoritarian crackdown on Hungary’s LGBTQ+ community. Critics argue it mirrors similar restrictions in Russia, where LGBTQ+ rights have been systematically eroded under President Vladimir Putin.
“This is not child protection, this is fascism,” Budapest Pride organizers said in a statement. “The Hungarian government is trying to restrict peaceful protests with a critical voice by targeting a minority.”
Protests Erupt in Budapest
Hours after the vote, thousands of demonstrators flooded the streets of Budapest, chanting anti-government slogans and waving rainbow flags. Protesters blocked the Margaret Bridge over the Danube River, defying police orders to disperse. Signs reading “The first Pride was a riot” and “If you take our human rights, be ready for human wrongs” underscored the defiant mood.
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Evgeny Belyakov, a Russian immigrant who fled persecution in his home country, compared Hungary’s trajectory to Russia’s crackdown on LGBTQ+ rights.
“It’s quite terrifying to be honest, because we had the same in Russia,” he said. “It was building up step by step, and I feel like this is what is going on here.”
Government’s Excuse and Critics’ Response
Orbán, a close ally of both Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump, has framed the law as a measure to protect children from “sexual propaganda.” On X, he praised the legislation, writing, “We won’t let woke ideology endanger our kids.”
Child protection: ✅
Pride march: ❌Today, we voted to ban gatherings that violate child protection laws. In Hungary, a child’s right to healthy physical, mental, intellectual, and moral development comes first. We won’t let woke ideology endanger our kids.
— Orbán Viktor (@PM_ViktorOrban) March 18, 2025
However, human rights organizations and opposition lawmakers have condemned the law as a thinly veiled attempt to suppress dissent and scapegoat the LGBTQ+ community. Amnesty International called it a “full-frontal attack” on fundamental rights, stating,
“This law is a blatant violation of Hungary’s obligations to prohibit discrimination and guarantee freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.”
Tamás Dombos, a project coordinator at the Hungarian LGBTQ+ rights group Háttér Society, accused Orbán of using the law to distract voters from pressing economic issues, including inflation and a struggling healthcare system.
“It’s a very common strategy of authoritarian governments not to talk about the real issues that people are affected by,” Dombos said.
A Growing Resistance
Despite the government’s efforts to stigmatize LGBTQ+ people, Budapest Pride organizers report an outpouring of support since Orbán first hinted at the ban in February.
“Many, many people have been mobilized,” said Jojó Majercsik, a spokesperson for Budapest Pride. “It’s a new thing, compared to the attacks of the last years, that we’ve received many messages and comments from people saying, ‘Until now I haven’t gone to Pride, I didn’t care about it, but this year I’ll be there and I’ll bring my family.’”
Organizers have vowed to proceed with their 30th annual Pride march on June 28, despite the ban. Last year’s event drew more than 30,000 participants, and activists are preparing for an even larger turnout in defiance of the new law.
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International Backlash
The legislation has also drawn criticism from European Union officials, who have previously challenged Hungary’s anti-LGBTQ+ policies. In 2022, the European Commission filed a case with the EU’s highest court against Hungary’s 2021 child protection law, arguing it discriminates against LGBTQ+ individuals.
As Hungary’s 2026 elections approach, Orbán’s government faces mounting pressure both domestically and internationally. For now, the LGBTQ+ community and its allies remain resolute.
“Hungarians are freedom-loving,” Budapest Pride organizers declared. “We know that if the government tries to ban protests with critical voices, they will face resistance from the whole of society.”
The battle over Pride in Hungary is far from over, and the world is watching.
