BUDAPEST, Hungary — On Tuesday, Hungarian legislators approved a law that prohibits Pride events and permits authorities to use facial recognition technology to identify attendees. This action is a continuation of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s right-wing populist party’s crackdown on the country’s LGBTQ+ community.
The measure was approved with a vote of 136-27. The legislation, backed by Orbán’s Fidesz party and their junior coalition partner, the Christian Democrats, was fast-tracked through parliament after being introduced just a day before.
It modifies Hungary’s assembly law, making it illegal to organize or attend events that contravene Hungary’s controversial “child protection” law. This law bans the “depiction or promotion” of homosexuality to individuals under the age of 18.
Participating in a banned event will result in fines of up to 200,000 Hungarian forints ($546), which the government must allocate to “child protection,” as stated in the law. Authorities are allowed to employ facial recognition technology to identify individuals present at a prohibited event.
During the parliamentary vote in Budapest, opposition members set off smoke bombs in the chamber, creating thick clouds of colorful smoke.
In a statement released on Monday following the bill’s introduction, Budapest Pride organizers stated that the law’s purpose was to “scapegoat” the LGBTQ+ community in order to suppress dissenting voices against Orbán’s administration.
“This is not child protection, this is fascism,” the organizers wrote. “The government is attempting to limit peaceful protests with critical viewpoints by targeting a minority. Therefore, as a movement, we will fight for the freedom of all Hungarians to demonstrate!”
This new law represents the most recent measure taken by Orbán against LGBTQ+ individuals. His government has enacted other laws that have been criticized by rights organizations and European politicians as being oppressive toward sexual minorities.
In 2022, the European Union’s executive branch initiated a case with the EU’s highest court against Hungary’s 2021 child protection law. The European Commission contended that the law “discriminates against people based on their sexual orientation and gender identity.”
The Hungarian government presents itself as an advocate for traditional family values and a protector of Christian civilization against what it refers to as “gender madness.” It asserts that its policies aim to shield children from “sexual propaganda.”
Hungary’s “child protection” law, in addition to prohibiting the “depiction or promotion” of homosexuality in content accessible to minors—including television, movies, advertising, and literature—also forbids the mention of LGBTQ+ topics in school curricula and the public portrayal of “gender deviating from sex at birth.”
In a speech given in February, Orbán suggested that his government would consider banning the Budapest Pride event. This event draws thousands of participants and celebrates the history of the LGBTQ+ movement while advocating for equal rights for the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community.
Another Pride event has been held in the southern Hungarian city of Pécs in recent years. Budapest Pride is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, with the event scheduled for June 28.