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Hungary holds its first Budapest Pride in the post-Orbán era
AP News • • world
Key Points:
- Tens of thousands attended the 31st annual Budapest Pride on Saturday, marking the first LGBTQ+ march since former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who had tried to ban the event, was ousted in April.
- The march took place amid a record-breaking heat wave, with organizers distributing water and the city opening fountains to help participants cope with temperatures exceeding 38°C (100°F).
- Participants expressed a more relaxed and hopeful atmosphere compared to previous years, reflecting optimism following Orbán's defeat and the new government's more tolerant stance.
- Despite the previous government's anti-LGBTQ+ laws and a constitutional amendment outlawing Pride, last year's march proceeded with record attendance, signaling significant public resistance to Orbán's policies.
- Although the new government has not repealed the anti-Pride legislation, it authorized and secured the event this year, and there are early signs of parliamentary debates on expanding rights for sexual minorities, including same-sex adoption.
