Pride and Protest: Budapest Defies Ban on LGBTQ+ March"

 

Hungary’s capital is bracing for a showdown between civil rights and state authority after police officially banned the 2025 Budapest Pride March, citing controversial “child protection” laws. 

But in a bold act of defiance, Budapest’s liberal mayor, Gergely Karácsony, has declared the event will proceed—rebranded as a municipal celebration of freedom.

The march, scheduled for June 28, was blocked under legislation passed in March that prohibits the “promotion of homosexuality” to minors. Authorities argue that because LGBTQ+ individuals would be visibly present and under-18s might witness the event, it violates the law.

 Police have threatened fines of up to €500 and the use of facial recognition technology to identify participants.

Mayor Karácsony, however, insists the ban is legally irrelevant. He argues that the event is a city-organized celebration, not a public assembly requiring police approval. “Budapest City Hall will organize the Budapest Pride march on June 28 as a city event. Period,” he wrote on Facebook.

The standoff has ignited protests across Hungary. Thousands have taken to the streets, blocking bridges and demanding the repeal of the ban. 

International support is pouring in: over 70 Members of the European Parliament, human rights commissioners, and ministers from more than 30 countries are expected to attend. The European Equalities Commissioner, Hadja Lahbib, has confirmed her presence.

Critics say the ban is part of a broader campaign by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s government to marginalize LGBTQ+ communities. Since returning to power in 2010, Orbán has pushed a conservative agenda that includes constitutional amendments and laws restricting LGBTQ+ rights. 

His administration claims these measures protect children, but human rights groups argue they violate EU anti-discrimination laws and freedom of assembly.

The Budapest Pride March has long been a symbol of resistance and visibility in a region where LGBTQ+ rights remain under threat. This year, it’s more than a parade—it’s a political flashpoint, a legal test case, and a declaration of dignity in the face of repression.