Over 180,000 rally in Budapest Pride despite government ban
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban denounced the country’s largest-ever LGBTQ+ Pride march, held in Budapest on June 28, calling it a sign of foreign interference and a threat to Hungary’s national identity.
“Brussels ordered a Pride march in Budapest,” Orban said, as quoted by Hungarian outlet 444.hu. “Their puppet politicians carried it out. This shows what life would be like in this country without a national government defending our sovereignty.”
Orban also criticized what he called “disgusting and shameful” elements of the event, including a drag queen performance, men in high heels, and brochures on hormone therapy.
Despite a government ban, more than 180,000 people took to the streets for the June 28 march, organizers reported.
Budapest Mayor Gergely Karácsony openly supported the initiative, circumventing the ban by registering the parade as a municipal event. He emphasized that the government’s crackdown on sexual minorities is part of a broader effort to divide society and roll back civil liberties.
A new law passed by Hungary’s parliament—controlled by Orban’s ruling Fidesz party—effectively bans public events that “promote homosexuality” to minors. The legislation triggered widespread backlash, prompting many to attend the march for the first time in protest.
Marchers included seniors, families with children, and activists from over 30 countries. Many described the event not only as a defense of LGBTQ+ rights, but of democracy itself.
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