Hungary bans LGBTQ+ public events through constitutional amendment

Hungary, on April 14, 2025, passed a significant constitutional amendment through a parliamentary vote, permitting the government to permanently ban public events organized by LGBTQ+ communities. This law has drawn sharp criticism from various human rights groups, who argue it infringes on fundamental rights related to assembly and expression. The ruling Fidesz party led by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán saw this law as essential for protecting children, which aligns with earlier legislation prohibiting the depiction or promotion of homosexuality to minors under 18. Critics label these moves as authoritarian, fearing it demonstrates a trend towards increasingly oppressive governance against marginalized groups, particularly sexual minorities. The constitutional change adds to a series of measures adopted by the Hungarian government to curtail LGBTQ+ rights, including a previous ban on same-sex adoption and restrictions on LGBTQ+ content in media accessible to minors. Lawmakers from the opposition attempted to obstruct the vote on this amendment, citing concerns over the erosion of democracy and human rights within Hungary. During the parliamentary session, opposition members utilized air horns in efforts to disrupt the proceedings as police forcibly removed demonstrators who tried to blockade parliament entrances. The government's justification for these policies heavily emphasizes the need for child protection, presenting LGBTQ+ content and events as potentially harmful to minors, a narrative criticized as propaganda. As the law stipulates the government's authority to use facial recognition technology to identify individuals attending prohibited events, such as the popular Budapest Pride, the ambiance for such gatherings may lead to a chilling effect on public demonstrations. Legal experts caution that these extensive surveillance measures pose threats to civil liberties and could deter individuals from expressing their political or ideological beliefs for fear of persecution. As this constitutional amendment takes effect, observers of Hungary's political landscape are apprehensive that further erosions of rights may emerge ahead of elections in 2026, potentially cementing Orbán's nationalist agenda against not only the LGBTQ+ community but other dissenting voices across the country. In conclusion, Hungary's move to legally recognize only two sexes and to limit the freedoms of LGBTQ+ individuals is seen as aligning the country closer to policies similar to those in Russia where authoritarianism has proliferated under the guise of protecting national interests. Human rights organizations have called upon the European Commission to intervene, citing breaches of EU laws, thereby intensifying calls for accountability on Hungary's growing anti-democratic policies.