#Hungary’s new #AntiLGBTQ+ law bans #Pride events and sparks #protests
By JUSTIN SPIKE
Updated 3:33 PM EDT, March 18, 2025
BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — "A new anti-#LGBTQ+ law banning Pride events and allowing authorities to use #FacialRecognition software to identify those attending the festivities was passed in Hungary on Tuesday, leading to a large #demonstration on the streets of #Budapest.
"Several thousand protesters chanting anti-government slogans gathered after the vote outside Hungary’s parliament. They later staged a blockade of the Margaret Bridge over the Danube, blocking traffic and disregarding police instructions to leave the area.
"The move by Hungarian lawmakers is part of a crackdown on the country’s LGBTQ+ community by the nationalist-populist party of Prime Minister #ViktorOrbán, who is an ally of Russian President #VladimirPutin and U.S. President #DonaldTrump.
"The measure, which is reminiscent of similar restrictions against sexual minorities in #Russia, was passed in a 136-27 vote. The law, supported by Orbán’s Fidesz party and their minority coalition partner the #ChristianDemocrats, was pushed through parliament in an accelerated procedure after being submitted on Monday.
"Opposing legislators led a vivid protest in the legislature involving rainbow-colored smoke bombs.
"At the protest outside parliament, Evgeny Belyakov, a Russian citizen who immigrated to Hungary after facing repression in Russia, said the legislation went at the heart of people’s rights to peacefully assemble."
Read more:
https://apnews.com/article/hungary-pride-ban-orban-lgbtq-rights-e7a0318b09b902abfc306e3e975b52df
#Authoritarianism #USPol #EuroPol #HungaryPol #ResistFascism #ResistAuthoritarianism #Orwellian #BigBrother #FacialRecognition #RightToProtest
