Hungary’s parliament just passed a law to outlaw people from legally changing their gender. In effect, this new law ends legal gender recognition for trans and intersex Hungarians, as they will no longer be able to change their identity markers on birth certificates or other identity documents.
“This decision pushes Hungary back towards the dark ages and tramples the rights of transgender and intersex people,” explained Amnesty International researcher Krisztina Tamás-Sáróy in a statement. “It will not only expose them to further discrimination but will also deepen an already intolerant and hostile environment faced by the LGBTI community.”
Lawmakers in Hungary’s parliament voted overwhelmingly in favor of the new law, with 134 votes in favor and 56 votes against.
The law has received widespread criticism, both domestically and abroad. Hungarian rights group Hatter Society says it violates a constitutional fundamental right and had been opposed by the European Parliament and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, according to CNN.
LGBTQ+ organizations plan to continue fighting the law, which is just the latest draconian measure passed by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. Critics of the law are now fighting for it to be sent to constitutional court for review.
“We will not give up fighting this law,” Hatter Society said in a statement. “We call on the president of the republic, János Áder to not sign the law, but send it for a review to the constitutional court.”
Tamás-Sáróy added, “It is critical for Hungary’s Commissioner for Fundamental Rights to act urgently and request that the constitutional court review and swiftly annuls the appalling provisions of this law. Everyone’s gender identity should be legally recognized and everyone must be allowed to change their legal name and gender markers on all official documents.”
The Hungarian government defended the law in a statement to CNN. They claimed that the law “does not affect men’s and women’s right to freely experience and exercise their identities as they wish.”
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