Thousands Party at Budapest Pride in Clear Message to Orban

LGBTQ+ community and supporters gather for annual festival amid political upheaval

Budapest Pride 2023 has drawn thousands of attendees for another year of festivities despite a recent purge of LGBTQ+ advocacy groups by Hungarian authorities. The weeklong festival, which culminated in a Pride march on Saturday, doubled as a show of solidarity for LGBTQ+ people facing heightened
repression under the country's conservative leadership.

Prime Minister Viktor Orban's Conservative Government

Since returning to power in 2010, Prime Minister Viktor Orban has promoted a deeply conservative
vision for Hungary. His government has enacted numerous restrictive laws, including a
militarized anti-terror unit to monitor activists and a constitutional amendment banning homeless people from participating in public assemblies, as well as proposing an
alcohol-advertising ban to prohibit LGBTQ+ people from being depicted in a positive light.

The Impact's of Government Actions

These actions have fueled a chilling effect on free expression in Hungary, where critics of the government
have been harassed, investigated, or dismissed from their jobs. Following the passage of the
controversial "Stop Soros" law in 2018, which imposed restrictive requirements on NGOs assisting
refugees and asylum seekers, many of the country's leading LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations
have been forced to close.

A Show of Resilience

In this context, Budapest Pride has become a symbol of resistance and resilience for the
LGBTQ+ community in Hungary. The festival's theme this year was "United in Diversity," which
promised to highlight the diversity of the LGBTQ+ community while also urging attendees to
stand in solidarity with other marginalized groups. The week's events included
film screenings, workshops, and concerts, culminating in the Pride march on Saturday.

Historic Restrictions on Pride Events

While Pride parades have been held in Budapest since 1996, the events have frequently
drawn resistance and even violence from far-right groups. In 2021, the parade was
disrupted by anti-LGBTQ+ protesters, who attacked attendees with pepper spray and
firecrackers. That year, the event was also attended by a large contingent of
conservative politicians and celebrities, who attempted to divert attention from the
attacks by posing for photos with attendees.