In a significant display of solidarity, the embassies of the United States, Germany, and 36 other countries, along with several cultural institutions, have issued a joint statement urging the Hungarian government to safeguard the rights of LGBT individuals and repeal discriminatory laws. This plea comes ahead of the much-anticipated Budapest Pride march set to take place on Saturday.
Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s administration has long championed a conservative, Christian-oriented agenda. In 2021, it passed a controversial law banning the “display and promotion of homosexuality” among minors, sparking widespread criticism from human rights organizations and the European Union.
“We are concerned with legislation and political rhetoric, including in Hungary, that is in tension with principles of non-discrimination, international human rights law and human dignity, and contributes to stigmatization of the LGBTQI+ community,” stated the joint declaration.
The statement emphasizes the importance of leaders and governments demonstrating respect for and protecting the rights of LGBTQI+ individuals and communities, while urging the elimination of discriminatory laws and policies. This united stance from the international community underscores the significance of the upcoming Budapest Pride event, expected to draw thousands of participants to the heart of the Hungarian capital.
The European Commission has already referred Hungary to the Court of Justice of the European Union over the contentious law, which has been labeled a “disgrace” by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Meanwhile, Orban’s government contends that the legislation is intended to safeguard children and not specifically target the LGBT community.
In a further display of the government’s restrictive stance, a prominent Hungarian bookseller was fined for selling the British LGBT-themed graphic novel “Heartstopper” without being wrapped, deemed a violation of the legislation. These incidents highlight the ongoing tensions surrounding LGBT rights in Hungary and the urgent need for dialogue and advocacy to ensure equality and inclusion for all individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.