Minister sacks head of Hungarian National Museum citing anti-LGBTQ law
The minister of culture and innovation has sacked László L Simon, the director of the National Museum, the ministry said on Monday. In reaction, L Simon denied that the museum had “deliberately violated any laws by hosting the World Press Photo exhibition” in connection with the law that bans under-18s from viewing LGBTQ-related material.
In a statement, the minister said L. Simon had “failed to adhere to the legal obligations of the institution … and exhibited behaviour that rendered his continued employment unviable.”
Commenting on his dismissal, L Simon told MTI that he acknowledged “but could not accept” the ministry’s decision.
He insisted that the museum had acted on the ministry’s earlier instructions by advising under-18s that they were not permitted to view photographs depicting life in an elderly home for LGBTQ people, adding that he rejected “the idea that our children should be protected from me or from the institution I lead”.
As we wrote before, an opposition Hungarian party wants to ban the World Press Photo 2023 exhibition because of LGBTQ propaganda, details HERE.
As we wrote earlier, books are wrapped in transparent foil in Hungary because of the anti-gay law
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11 Comments
Repulsive attitude, just in step with the dictatorial practices of the Orban/Fidesz Party.
Archaic – in its style, that is reminiscent familiar to us, in Hungary that are likened to what existed practiced pre 1989 days.
Actually enforcing this absurdly regressive law is an effective way for the current Hungarian government to demonstrate how closed-minded its current lawmakers are. Might this anti-LGBTQ law even be a deflective-projection of their own shame? In an analogous assertion of power, consider how staunchly anti-gay the Catholic Church has been and how very few of the sex abuse scandals of recent decades have involved female victims. Coincidence?
The day Hungarians will realize they live in a dictatorship will be a day too late.
Good. A female mother and a male father in a lifelong committed relationship, i.e. marriage, is the optimum model for a stable society and need to be encouraged. Other “arrangements” are okay and must be allowed in a democratic country but must not be highlighted or promoted, especially to children.
The museum director knew the rules, he ignored them. His firing was justified. LGBTQ etc., is not the norm.
@Michael, you contradict your self as you state it’s OK but shall be highlighted or promoted which implies censorship. Censorship is definitely not a key parameter of a democratic country.
At least Mr. Simon has principles, and sticks by them.
I am sure our Politicians will identify a more appropriate person, with a better “pedigree”, who will just comply with anything he is told.
Speaking of whih, my challenge is training my young (Hungarian) staff to be critical, speak up, elaborate on their thoughts. It has been thoroughly beaten out of them in their many years in our education system (and I hire university graduates, mainly).
Just listening and doing as you are told without a critical mindset is not taking us to the next level, any which way you look at it. Mr. Simon digested, voiced his principled opinion, was fired for it, but can leave with his head held high. More than can be said for many others.
Mr. Simon knew the rules when he accepted the position. He’s firing was just. Compare statistics of the % LGBT students in western countries and in Hungary. Unfortunately, it is true that grooming works. The effect of trans people using girl’s bathroom resulted in the assault of girls. The policy of allowing trans persons (males pretending to be females) physically injure girls in sports. People who loved their children allow them to develop normally, some may even live happily as adults in the LGBT community in Hungary.
Well Mike, if you can find a nonfemale with a uterus, or a nonmale with sperm, than you statement would make sense. I know many gay couples that have been together for decades, more so than a lot of straight couples that I know. So much for stability. And Maria, it would seem that there are about 300,000 LGBT in Hungary, in and out of the closet, so what really is “normal” amoung us mammals by your standards?
@maria vt, homosexuality existed also thousands of years ago and doesn’t hurt anyone while war, abuses, home violence always existed but are totally harmful.
Yes, homosexuality existed for thousands of years. The people belonging to the LGBT community has had a much more difficult life because of lack of acceptance. The LGBT members did not deserve persecution. On the other hand, I do object to grooming. I also object to biological males in women’s bathrooms. I also strongly object to biological males playing in women’s sports because it removed fairness from the competition. Women should not be losers due to a male pretending to be a female. Separate bathrooms and sport competitions should be set up to accommodate trans people. Finally, the government has every right and responsibility to protect all Hungarian children because Hungarian are the future of the country. The firing of the museum director was justified.