Hungary's Parliament Passes Law to Ban Pride Events

In a move widely condemned by human rights organizations and EU officials, Hungary's parliament voted Tuesday to ban Pride events nationwide and authorize the use of facial recognition technology to identify and potentially fine participants.

The controversial legislation, pushed through by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's Fidesz party with 136 votes to 27, amends the country's assembly laws to prohibit events that allegedly violate Hungary's 2021 "child protection" legislation. That earlier law bars any "depiction or promotion" of homosexuality to minors under 18.

"We won't let woke ideology endanger our kids," Orbán declared following the vote, framing the measure as necessary child protection rather than a restriction on civil liberties.

The ban, believed to be the first of its kind in recent EU history, was submitted to parliament just one day before the vote, giving opposition lawmakers little time to mount resistance. During Tuesday's voting session, some opposition members lit flares in protest, while demonstrators blocked a bridge in central Budapest.

Under the new regulations, anyone who organizes or attends events deemed in violation of the law faces fines of up to 500 euros ($545). The legislation also controversially permits police to employ facial recognition technology to identify potential offenders.

The parliamentary action effectively ends a 30-year tradition of Pride marches in Hungary and has drawn sharp criticism from international observers. Hadja Lahbib, the EU commissioner for equality, suggested the law contravenes the fundamental values of the 27-nation bloc.

"Everyone should be able to be who they are, live and love freely. The right to gather peacefully is a fundamental right to be championed across the European Union," Lahbib stated. "We stand with the LGBTQI community – in Hungary and in all member states."

Budapest Pride, which has organized annual marches since the early 1990s, issued a scathing response to the legislation. "This is not child protection, this is fascism," the organization said in a statement, alleging that Orbán's government is exploiting anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment to shore up support ahead of parliamentary elections expected in April 2026.

Human rights groups have characterized the ban as "a full-frontal attack on the LGBTI community" that violates Hungary's obligations to prohibit discrimination and guarantee freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.

The Pride ban represents the latest in a series of measures targeting LGBTQ+ rights since Fidesz began shifting from center-right to hard-right positions. In 2020, the government ended legal recognition of transgender people, and in 2021 introduced the "Child Protection Act," which censors comprehensive sex education and blocks same-sex couples from adopting children.

Máté Kocsis, leader of the Fidesz parliamentary group, defended the legislation, telling the government-aligned weekly Mandiner: "Protecting children is a priority in all circumstances. Anyone who has children knows what the problem is with the Pride parade and its aftermath on social media and other public forums. I have three children and I would not want them to see such content."

Critics, however, note that the law goes beyond restricting Pride events. Parliament also amended Hungary's right of assembly to stipulate that only events "respecting the right of children to proper physical, mental and moral development" may take place, potentially opening the door to broader restrictions on public gatherings.

The timing of the crackdown coincides with declining support for Orbán's Fidesz party ahead of next year’s general elections. Recent polls indicate that Tisza, a new center-right party favoring more constructive relations with the EU, has taken the lead nationally ahead of next year's parliamentary elections.

Tisza's popularity surged after its founder, Péter Magyar, a former Fidesz politician, broke with the ruling party in February 2024, citing dissatisfaction with its governance of Hungary.

The Pride ban follows Orbán's increasing rhetorical attacks on critics and his pledge last year to "occupy Brussels" to protect Hungary's sovereignty. Political analysts suggest these moves may be calculated to energize the party's base and draw support from far-right voters as the 2026 election approaches.