Today’s news that Budapest Pride will go ahead legally as a municipality event is a win for the LGBTQI+ community across Europe, MEP Maria Walsh has said.
MEP Walsh, member of the European Parliament’s LGBTQI+ Intergroup, is a vocal critic of the measures taken by the Hungarian government targeting the LGBTQI+ community, which recently included new laws classifying public displays of homosexuality as a child protection issue.
MEP Walsh has welcomed today’s news and reiterated her attendance at Budapest Pride on 28th June, which will now take place completely legally and will be organised by the Municipality of Budapest.
MEP Maria Walsh said:
“Despite Victor Orbán’s best efforts, Budapest Pride will take place completely legally in less than two weeks’ time. This is a victory not only for the LGBTQI+ community in Hungary, it is a win for all Europeans who value fundamental rights. I can’t wait to attend what I’m sure will be the biggest celebration of our beautiful community that Hungary has ever seen.
“Equality, freedom and joy have trumped Orbán’s attempts to repress, insult and undermine our people. I now urge my fellow MEPs and leaders from across Europe to join in the celebrations on June 28th because while we might have won this battle, the struggle for the LGBTQI+ community in Hungary continues.
“Earlier this year, Hungary’s President signed legislation into law which allows the Government to classify public displays of homosexuality as a child protection issue – effectively prohibiting LGBTQI gatherings. The Hungarian Supreme Court ruled earlier this month that the ban on the basis of child protection is unlawful, as there is no legitimate goal behind the prohibition.
“These actions follow a series of anti-LGBTQI measures, including Hungary’s planned use of facial recognition technology to target individuals attending such events.
“Anti-LGBTQI legislation was introduced by the Orbán government in 2021, which censors inclusive sex education, equates LGBTI ‘lifestyles’ with paedophilia, blocks adoption for LGBTI couples, and restricts content in media and advertising. In response to this, the European Commission initiated infringement proceedings last year.
“While Budapest Pride will undoubtedly be a party, it must also be a protest. Whether you march in Westport or Warsaw, we must remember and fight for our EU neighbours who do not enjoy the same freedoms as ourselves.”
