Hungary’s Fight For Pride Spreads Internationally As Organizers Plan Largest Event In Nation’s History

June 4, 2025 Melissa S

A long rainbow flag is laid out on the ground in front of the Hungarian parliament.

LMBTQ activists deploy a 30-meter-long rainbow-colored flag in front of the Hungarian Parliament building prior to a press conference by Budapest Pride and European Pride Organizers Association (EPOA). – Organizers announced that this year’s Budapest Pride Parade will be held in the capital on July 23. Last year, Prime Minister Orban’s government passed a law to ban the “promotion” of homosexuality to minors. The event’s organizer Mate Hegedus said that the new regulation has made life difficult for all areas of the LGBTQ community and asks people eligible to vote to cast an invalid ballot for the LGBTQ referendum, which will be held at the same time as the parliamentary elections on April 3. (Photo by ATTILA KISBENEDEK / AFP) (Photo by ATTILA KISBENEDEK/AFP via Getty Images)

Hungary’s new anti-LGBTQ+ laws spark legal action, domestic protests, and condemnation from 17 nations. Pride organizers are pressing on.

In March 2025, Hungary passed a law banning LGBTQ+ Pride marches, using the protection of children as justification. The legislation allows police to use facial recognition technology to identify participants, who could then face fines ranging from 6,500 to 200,000 forints (~$20-$600). Organizers risk up to a year in prison. Then, in April, amendments were put into place similar to the U.K.’s recent decision, recognizing only two genders (male and female).

The response to these new laws has been loud and vocal. A total of five human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, have taken legal action against the Hungarian government. They argue that the legislation violates fundamental rights, and the “protect the children” logic is baseless.

Seventeen European Union member states—including France, Germany, Spain, and the Netherlands—signed a joint letter condemning Hungary’s anti-LGBTQ+ legislation. The letter states that the laws contravene the core European values of dignity, equality, and freedom of assembly and urges the European Commission to intervene if the legislation is not repealed.

European Commissioner Michael McGrath responded to the situation with a reminder that freedom of assembly is a fundamental right, stating that the Commission is exploring all available options to address the problem.

The legislation has sparked widespread protests across Hungary. The political satire group Two-Tailed Dog Party organized a demonstration where participants wore gray attire and carried banners promoting uniformity, highlighting the absurdity of suppressing diversity.

Despite a ban on a smaller march scheduled for June 1 and a recent denial for a permit to march on June 28, organizers have made clear that they will proceed with the main Budapest Pride, anticipating it to be the largest in the country’s history. Leaders from across the EU have announced their attendance in solidarity.