Authorities prohibit pride march in southern Hungary

Severe Setback or Major Reversal Occurred

, and Administrator

2025 September 14 . 6:52 PM

2 min read

Authorities Prohibit LGBTQ+ Foundation Event in Southern Hungary

Authorities prohibit pride march in southern Hungary

In a move that has sparked controversy and protests, the Hungarian government, led by Prime Minister Viktor Orban, has been curtailing the rights of LGBTIQ people under the pretext of "child protection." The latest development in this ongoing saga is the ban on Pride Parades, which was enshrined in the Hungarian constitution in April.

The Hungarian Parliament passed an amendment in mid-March targeting a ban on Pride Parades, and since then, all gatherings that violate the new LGBTIQ law are prohibited. This law, passed in 2021, bans the depiction of homosexuality to minors.

The ban on the Pecs Pride Parade, scheduled for October 4th, was announced by the police on Friday evening, citing the constitutional amendment. The organizers of the parade, the Diverse Youth Network, have vowed to hold the event despite the ban.

The organizers of the Pecs Pride Parade and those in Budapest have expressed their dismay at the ban, calling it a "heavy blow" for LGBTIQ people in Hungary. In Budapest, a record number of up to 200,000 people attended a Pride Parade in late June, despite a police ban, demonstrating strong support for the LGBTIQ community.

Dozens of members of the European Parliament participated in the Budapest Pride Parade to show their solidarity. In a show of defiance, the mayor of Budapest, Gergely Karacsony, wore a T-shirt with the city's coat of arms and rainbow colors during his visit to the police station, where he was questioned for over an hour about the organization of the officially banned Pride Parade in July.

Karacsony, a member of the Green Party and in opposition to Prime Minister Orban, did not answer any questions at the police station but rejected the accusations against him on legal grounds. He stated that he considered the accusations against him to be unfounded and that he will file a complaint.

The mayor of Pécs, who refuses to ban the Pride parade in his city, is not named in the available sources. However, Karacsony is known for supporting Pride events despite bans.

The government's actions have faced criticism and protests, with many arguing that the ban infringes on the fundamental rights of LGBTIQ individuals and undermines Hungary's commitment to human rights and democracy. The Hungarian government has been facing protests due to the ban on Pride Parades.

This ban on Pride Parades in Hungary underscores the ongoing struggle for LGBTIQ rights in the country and the need for continued advocacy and support for the community. The Diverse Youth Network's decision to hold the Pecs Pride Parade on October 4th, despite the ban, serves as a powerful symbol of resistance and resilience in the face of adversity.