Orbán intensifies the war against the LGBTI community

BerlinHungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has intensified his war on the LGBTI community. This week, Hungary amended its constitution to restrict the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex people. The controversial constitutional amendment, championed by Orbán and widely approved by Parliament (140 out of 199 votes in favor), recognizes only two genders: male and female. Furthermore, Hungary has also reinforced its ban on Gay Pride marches by putting "the protection of children" before fundamental rights such as freedom of assembly and freedom of expression.

"The constitutional amendment is law. We protect the development of children, affirm that a person is born male or female, and stand firm against drugs and foreign interference. In Hungary, common sense matters," the Hungarian prime minister wrote on social media. Orbán is thus following in the footsteps of his admirer Donald Trump. The US president has already announced that his government will end diversity policies and will only recognize "two genders: male and female."

In mid-March, the Hungarian Parliament—where Orbán's party, Fidesz, controls a two-thirds majority—passed an urgent amendment to the law regulating the right of assembly to ban gatherings "that violate the prohibitions provided for in the law on the defense of minorsSpecifically, this law prohibits the "depiction and promotion" of homosexuality and gender diversity to anyone under the age of 18.

Under the reform passed last month, authorities will be able to impose fines of 500 euros on organizers and participants of such gatherings, such as those at Budapest Pride marches. Organizers of Budapest Pride have vowed to push ahead with the plans, saying the event's ban violates constitutional rights to assembly and expression, and plan to legally challenge it.

Budapest Mayor Gergely Karácsony, one of Orbán's main opponents, has publicly supported the Pride march, scheduled for June 28. "Despite all the bans and threats from the authorities, there will be a Pride in Budapest, and I think it will be bigger than ever," he predicted.

Amnesty International launched an international campaign this week to hashtag #LetPrideMarch, calling on Hungarian authorities to "let Pride go." The NGO is calling on Budapest's police chief to allow people to participate "safely, without intimidation, harassment, or violence."

"For the past 30 years, people in Hungary have taken to the streets of Budapest to celebrate Pride and demand equality and dignity for LGBTI people. This June, we will march alongside all those who stand against discrimination and the rollback of freedom of expression and assembly," said Amnesty International's Vig. Vig believes the anti-Pride law is "the latest measure aimed at stigmatizing LGBTI individuals and groups and attempting to strip them of their hard-won rights."

"LGBTIQ+ communities feel angry, afraid, and marginalized. Laws equate their visibility with harm to children, intensifying stigma and exclusion, especially for transgender people, who are denied legal gender recognition,” explains a non-profit organization that helps identify and create safe spaces for LGBTIQ+ communities around the world via email.

Novak explains that “the European Union can act through infringement procedures (Article 7), financial sanctions, diplomatic pressure, and civil society support to challenge Hungary’s anti-Pride and anti-LGBTIQ+ laws.” This activist urges Brussels to support Budapest Pride’s protests and legal challenges to ensure the June 28 march goes ahead.

Mobilize the Conservative vote

Hungary has never permitted same-sex marriage, but it does recognize same-sex civil unions. However, same-sex couples are prohibited from adopting. Hungarian law also prohibits legal recognition of transgender and intersex people. Conversion therapies to modify sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression are not prohibited in that European country.

With laws restricting the rights of the LGBTI community, Orbán, in power since 2010, is trying to mobilize his conservative electorate ahead of the legislative elections scheduled for spring 2026.