In a controversial move, the Hungarian government has banned the display of LGBTQ symbols on all government buildings. The decision, announced by Prime Minister Viktor Orban, comes just hours before the start of the 30th Budapest Pride festival, a major annual celebration of the LGBTQ community in the country.
The new regulation, which took effect immediately, prohibits the use of any symbols “referring to or promoting” sexual minorities on any state-owned or state-controlled properties. This includes government offices, public institutions, and even the facades of buildings. The order aims to prevent the display of rainbow flags, pride logos, or other LGBTQ-related imagery during the upcoming Pride festival and in the future.
The move is the latest in a series of actions taken by the Orban administration to restrict the visibility and rights of the LGBTQ community in Hungary. In 2021, the government passed a law that banned the depiction of homosexuality or gender transition in media content accessible to minors, sparking international condemnation and concerns over LGBTQ rights in the country.
Supporters of the ban claim it is necessary to protect traditional family values and prevent the “promotion” of LGBTQ identities, especially to children. However, critics have denounced the decision as a blatant attack on the freedom of expression and the rights of the LGBTQ community in Hungary.
Amnesty International, a prominent human rights organization, has condemned the ban, calling it a “shameful attack on the LGBTQ community” and a violation of the fundamental human rights of Hungarian citizens. The organization has urged the government to immediately revoke the directive and ensure the protection of LGBTQ rights in the country.
The upcoming Budapest Pride festival, which is expected to draw thousands of participants, is now faced with the challenge of navigating the new restrictions. Organizers have vowed to proceed with the event, though they may need to adapt their plans to comply with the government’s order. The festival’s theme this year is “Love is the Answer,” a message that seems to directly challenge the divisive policies of the Orban administration.
As the debate over LGBTQ rights in Hungary continues to escalate, the country finds itself at the center of a growing international controversy. The government’s actions have drawn widespread criticism from human rights groups, international organizations, and LGBTQ advocates around the world, who fear that the rights and freedoms of the LGBTQ community in Hungary are under serious threat.
