WorthyNews: Hungarians Protest Against Banning Pride

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By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News

BUDAPEST (Worthy News) – Protesters clashed with police in Hungary’s capital, Budapest, late Tuesday after Hungary’s rightwing government coalition introduced a law that will ban a yearly Pride march in support of the LGBTQ+ community.

Under the legislation, which was adopted by the ruling Fidesz-KDNP parties with the backing of two smaller conservative and far-right parties, those attending the rally could face fines of 200,000 forints ($550). The law enables authorities to use a facial recognition system to recognize those attending Pride.

The vote on an amendment to the so-called “child protection law” passed in an extraordinary procedure with 136 votes in favor and 27 against, prompting protests.

Several thousand demonstrators gathered in areas near parliament and eventually marched to the Margit Bridge, one of several key bridges connecting crossing the Danube River in Hungary’s capital.

A Worthy News reporter witnessed a heavy police presence with numerous police vehicles switching on their trademark blue sirens.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán had earlier told Pride organizers to “not even bother” organizing the event, which he said threatens the protection of children.” The law already prevents LGBTQ+ information for minors or education about that issue in schools.

EXPRESSING ANGER

While many expressed anger over Orbán’s statements, at least one man observing the protest said he supported the government measures. “We are a Christian nation. These people undermine our Christian values,” added the man who asked not to be named for fear it could impact his work as an entrepreneur.

Yet among those blocking the bridge in winter temperatures was Levente Tösér, 34, who warned that authorities “want to implement face recognition systems on the Pride” to use “gay people as guinea pigs.”

“They are going to try out these face recognition systems on us. And then, once they perfected it, this perfect Chinese thing they got from the Chinese government…that’s when they are going actually to implement this on the rest of the Hungarians. But the Hungarians don’t understand it, that it’s just the beginning. That’s my problem,” he told Worthy News.

A 21-year-old activist, identifying himself as Alex Huggard, told Worthy News he is not part of the LGBTQ+ community. However, he carried an edited picture showing Orbán in a Russian uniform with the caption “Kremlin Employee.”

“For me, it’s important because I think that in a democracy, everybody has the right to express themselves. And if they are allowing Nazis to parade around Budapest, then they should allow gay people to walk in the city as well,” he said.

Like others at the protest, he compared the anti-LGBTQ+ law with similar legislation in Russia. “I think they try to raise hatred and try to get people to jump against each other,” added Zsuzsanna, 41, who declined to give her last name.

The European Union has also criticized Hungary’s LGBTQ+ agenda and already withhold billions of euros in funding over, but Orbán said he fights for traditional families and Christian values.

After scuffles, police eventually reopened the Budapest bridge, in a divided nation.

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