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Proposed Budapest Pride ban bill: Participants face penalties, assembly rights in danger
Hungarian PM Viktor Orbán’s Fidesz has submitted a proposal to amend the country’s assembly law. The proposed changes aim to prohibit gatherings that violate the provisions of the child protection law, which includes content that “promotes” homosexuality or gender identity issues to minors. The move is seen as an attempt to ban Pride parades, particularly the Budapest Pride, which has been a focal point of LGBTQ+ rights in Hungary.
The proposed amendment references the child protection law, which prohibits exposing minors to content that promotes homosexuality or gender identity changes. The Fidesz-KDNP proposal suggests that organising and even participating in such gatherings would be considered a misdemeanour, punishable by fines, 24.hu reports. Notably, these fines cannot be substituted with community service or detention, and the collected funds would be allocated to child protection initiatives. If the fines are not paid within thirty days, they will be enforced similarly to tax debts.
Fidesz proposes using facial recognition software to identify participants
The use of facial recognition software is also proposed to identify participants in banned gatherings, further escalating concerns about privacy and civil liberties. This move aligns with broader efforts by the Hungarian government to restrict LGBTQ+ rights, following a pattern seen in other countries where similar measures have been implemented.
According to Telex, critics argue that this proposal is a step towards authoritarianism, likening it to policies in Russia. The opposition has voiced strong objections, with some calling for increased participation in Pride events as a form of resistance against what they perceive as intimidation tactics. Despite these challenges, Budapest Pride organisers and supporters, including Mayor Gergely Karácsony, remain committed to holding the event, emphasising the importance of equality and freedom.
Orbán wants to ban Pride but was happy to receive Alice Weidel
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has been vocal about his intentions to restrict Pride events, suggesting that organisers “should not bother planning this year’s parade” (we covered this incident in THIS article). However, his stance on LGBTQ+ issues has been highlighted as inconsistent when he recently welcomed Alice Weidel, a lesbian politician from the German AfD party, to Hungary. This visit has sparked controversy, as it contrasts sharply with the government’s efforts to suppress LGBTQ+ visibility domestically. Critics view this as a double standard, where Orbán appears to embrace LGBTQ+ individuals from abroad while actively working to restrict their rights at home.
Reaction from organisers
The reaction from Pride organisers has been fierce, with many labelling the proposed ban as “fascism” rather than child protection. According to HVG, the organisers have vowed to continue with the event, emphasising that it is crucial for promoting equality and visibility for the LGBTQ+ community.
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Fidesz wants to shut down all forms of opposition. The opposition is banned from television, radio and cannot get into print media. No printer would dare print anything opposition related for fear of punishment from the government. For example, Magyar Hang which is a conservative newspaper but makes independent editorial decisions cannot find a Hungarian printer and has to print in Slovakia. The street is the only place left to voice opposition and that is what Fidesz is aiming to suppress. You will be photographed with facial recognition technology and you will face fines of up to 200,000 forints for attending Pride. Is anyone naive enough to believe that Fidesz will stop there? They will use this for other demonstrations as well to shut down any opposition. Jail and violence from the state is coming next. This will be Orbanistan. Freedom is over.
I don’t care about the LGB part, while the QWERTY123!@# or whatever the newest WiFi password is part is, at best, a mental illness. I also think that restrictions should be placed on such demonstrations, primarily to avoid displays of lewd and degenerate behavior, such as has been witnessed at this kind of event in Western countries. Care must be taken to ensure the tone and content not veer into promoting such aberrations but merely asserting individual liberties. (I have no idea which liberties they are being denied, exactly, but okay, whatever.)
I also do not believe that tolerance and freedom of expression are absolute at all times and in all circumstances. For instance, tolerance of (violent and aggressive) intolerance in not enlightened but suicidal, as can be seen in the way Islamism is being mollycoddled in the West rather than stomped out.
However, I do not condone a complete ban on this type of event because the threshold of “tolerating intolerance” is not met (yet).