Hungary’s parliament has passed an amendment to the constitution that allows the government to ban public events by LGBTQ+ communities, a decision that legal scholars and critics are calling another step toward authoritarianism.
The amendment, which required a two-thirds vote, passed along party lines with 140 votes for and 21 against.
It was proposed by the ruling Fidesz-KDNP coalition led by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.
The amendment declares that children’s rights to moral, physical and spiritual development supersede any right other than the right to life, including the right to peacefully assemble.
The amendment codifies a law fast-tracked through parliament in March that bans public events held by LGBTQ+ communities, including the popular Pride event in Budapest that draws thousands of visitors annually.
That law also allows authorities to use facial recognition tools to identify people who attend prohibited events and can come with fines of up to 200,000 Hungarian forints (€481).
No, it’s purely distraction and building more support. A power play, if you will. It is the 15th time Fidesz has modified (unilaterally) the Hungarian constitution that they wrote about 15 years back.
With the same stroke they are also enshrining that drugs are bad and for some reason, the right to use cash. Alternatively many opposition politician’s have had their immunity revoked. And personally a scary one, dual citizens can lose citizenship for reasons.
As for the anti-gay sentiment. In the capital I would say it’s not a thing, but two guys holding hands walking down an empty street could get accosted. In smaller cities I’ve noticed that being openly gay is tolerated, but frowned upon. I’m sure the propaganda brainwashed many, there were plenty of haters to begin with anyway. Kids use gay and fag about the same way as Cartman from South Park.
The mayor of Budapest is still planning on hosting the Pride festival this year.