TICKER PRIDE | Hungary further encroach on LGBTIQ+ rights

As #PrideMonth is celebrated around the world, Hungarian lawmakers pass bills to restrict the rights of Queer people

Hungary has passed sweeping new measures that restrict content related to the rights of LGBTIQ+ people. Particularly, Transgender and Homosexual individuals.

The move comes as Hungary’s leader, Prime Minister Viktor Orban ramps up his efforts to diminish the rights of the country’s LGBTIQ+ community in the lead up to next year’s election.

Under the new laws, it will be prohibited to share any content, films or ads with children that ‘encourage’ either homosexuality or sex reassignment.

Officials behind the legislation are conflating the LGBTIQ+ community with paedophilia

Supporters of the legislation have promoted the measures as a way to stamp out paedophilia. However, protesters are calling it LGBTIQ+ discrimination.

Thousands of protesters in Hungary opposed the anti-LGBTIQ+ laws by lining the streets outside parliament in Budapest, demanding action.

Hungary’s national assembly passed the bill with a 157-1 vote. They passed the bill with the full support of the ruling Fidesz party and the right-wing Jobbik party.

One independent parliamentarian voted against the bill, whilst all other opposition members walked out of the vote in protest.

“On this shameful day, the opposition’s place is not in the parliament but on the streets”

Budapest Mayor, GERGELEY Karacsony

Previous to these new laws, the current government redefined marriage in the Constitution as a union between a man and a woman. They also outlawed legal status for transgender people.

In a tweet, Germany’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Michael Roth says “today’s decision in Hungary’s parliament represents another severe state discrimination against LGBTIQ people.”

“This law goes against everything we regard as our common European values. Full solidarity and support for LGBTIQ people in Hungary.”