Hungary’s continuous crackdown on LGBTQ rights has taken a new turn after authorities banned a planned Pride parade in the southern city of Pecs. The march, set for October 4, was expected to be well-attended because it was the only major annual Pride event held outside of the capital.
Authorities defended the ban by citing modifications to Hungary’s laws and constitution passed this year that made it unlawful to hold events that are “promoting homosexuality.”
This decision comes following the June ban on Budapest Pride, a move that sparked outrage both domestically and across the European Union. Despite the restrictions, over 200,000 people defied the ban and marched through Budapest in solidarity with the LGBTQ community, the largest turnout in the event’s history.
Prime Minister Viktor Orban has long defended his policies under the banner of “child protection,” but critics, including EU leaders, argue that his government is deliberately eroding civil rights and isolating LGBTQ citizens.
Organizers of the Pecs event, the Diverse Youth Network, condemned the police action. In a statement, they described the ban as “a severe blow to the LGBTQ community” but vowed to press forward with the march.
“We refuse to be silenced. We will not be intimidated. We will not allow our rights to be trampled,” they declared.
While police indicated they would not prosecute participants, authorities have taken steps against parade organizers. The mayor of Budapest, who supported the June event, was questioned last month as a suspect. If convicted, he could face up to one year in prison.
The EU has already raised concerns over Hungary’s repeated violations of civil rights, and observers say this latest ban could further heighten tensions between Brussels and Budapest.
With defiance growing, the October Pride march in Pecs is now shaping up to be a pivotal moment in Hungary’s LGBTQ rights movement.
