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Budapest, Hungary (AP) — Thousands of LGBT supporters marched at the annual Budapest Pride Parade, and on Saturday anger over Hungary’s right-wing government policy filled the streets of the country’s capital.
March organizers expect record crowds at the event and oppose the recent government action of populist Prime Minister Victor Oban, who says critics blame the sexual minorities of Central European countries. I called on the participants.
Budapest Pride spokesperson Jojo Maersik said this year’s march not only celebrates the historic struggle of the LGBT movement, but also Oban’s current policies for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer people. He said it was also a protest against.
“Many LGBTQ people are afraid and don’t feel that the country has a place or a future anymore,” Majercsik told The Associated Press.
The march took place after a controversial law passed by the Hungarian Parliament in June banned the display of content to minors depicting homosexuality and gender changes. The bill was attached to a bill that would allow stricter penalties for pedophiles.
The Hungarian government states that the policy aims to protect children. However, critics of the law said it would compare it to Russia’s homosexuality propaganda law in 2013 and combine homosexuality and pedophilia as part of a campaign to mobilize conservative voters ahead of next spring’s elections. Stated.
Legislation Meet fierce opposition from many European Union politicians, Hungary is a member. Brock’s executive committee in 27 countries filed two separate proceedings against the Hungarian government last week over what is called an infringement of LGBT rights.
Saturday’s march passed through the center of Budapest and crossed the Donau River at the Liberty Bridge, one of the iconic structures connecting the two halves of the city.
Miranazy, a 16-year-old pride participant and member of the Hungarian LGBT community, said this year’s pride march had special implications.
“This year is much more important because we have real interests now,” she said. “Our situation is pretty bad … my plan is to leave Hungary if things get worse.”
The law also requires that only government-approved citizen groups can provide sex education in schools. Limit the availability of media content and literature For minors discussing sexual orientation.
Pride marcher Anasztazia Orosz said it would prevent young people from accessing important information and verifying their sexual orientation.
“It was really hard for me to come out. The only thing that made it easy was finding a story book on LGBT topics,” Oros said. I don’t make a difference either. “
On Wednesday, Oban will be government Hold a referendum To show public support for the law. Polls ask Hungarians if they need to introduce their children to topics of sexual orientation in school and if they need to promote or portray sex reassignment surgery.
Still, Pride spokesman Majercsik said the question was “openly transphobic and homophobic” and part of a government “promotional campaign” that instigated resentment against the LGBT community.
“I’ve heard from many LGBT people planning to leave the country and don’t even wait for next year’s elections,” Majercsik said. “There will be many other people whose election results will determine whether they will stay or leave.”
Several members of the opposition attended the march. Among them is the liberal Budapest mayor Gergay Karaxony, who will challenge Oban in next year’s election, which is expected to be the closest since the Oban party came to power in 2010.
Several small counter demos were held in central Budapest.
EU lawmaker Terry Reintoke said Europe’s eyes were on Budapest and began the march in a speech.
“We are far more than the thousands here today,” Reintoke said.
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