Hundreds of LGBTQ+ people and allies protest outside Hungarian Embassy over Budapest Pride ban
– 1 min read
Hundreds of LGBTQ+ people and allies rallied yesterday for Solidarity Pride outside the Hungarian Embassy in London, to protest against the ban on Budapest Pride.
They held placards: “End ban on Budapest Pride! LGBT+ rights now!” “EU must sanction Hungary! Pride ban is anti-EU.” ”Solidarity with Hungarian LGBTs & Budapest Pride.”
They chanted: “2-4-6-8! Hungary must not discriminate. 3-5-7-9! Pride is a right & mighty fine!”
The London protest took place one week before the now banned Budapest Pride, which is still scheduled for 28 June, despite the ban.
Protest organiser Peter Tatchell said: “Our aim was to stand in solidarity with Hungarian LGBTs ahead of their banned Pride march on 28 June. We also wanted to show the Hungarian government that the world is watching and to press the EU to sanction Hungary over its criminalisation of Pride and wider repression of LGBTQ+ people.
"Its policies clearly violate the EU’s Charter of Fundamental Rights, which include freedom of expression and assembly and the right to protest. If Hungary is not sanctioned, it will embolden other EU member states to also repress their LGBTQ+ communities.”
The protest was organised with the support and blessing of Hungarian LGBTQ+ groups lmbtszovetseg and Budapest Pride.
“A constitutional amendment allows the Hungarian government to label LGBTQ+ gatherings a threat to children. This is persecution disguised as protection – another step in Hungary’s erosion of human rights and civil liberties. The constitution is being subverted as an instrument of propaganda and repression,” added Mr Tatchell.
As well as banning Budapest Pride, the government is planning facial recognition surveillance to identify Pride participants, with the intention of arresting and fining them up to 200,000 Hungarian forints (£420).
