Hungary, under anti-LGBTQ Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, is pushing to ban Budapest Pride and use facial recognition to track attendees if the event defies the ban. A proposed law, introduced yesterday, would criminalize events that violate Hungary’s 2021 “child protection” law, which prohibits the so-called promotion of homosexuality to minors. Hungarian officials claim Donald Trump’s influence has emboldened these moves. Orbán’s chief of staff, Gergely Gulyas, stated,“We believe that Pride marching through downtown, now that the U.S. ambassador can no longer lead it, should not be tolerated.”
The previous ambassador, David Pressman, a vocal critic of Orbán, resigned before Trump’s inauguration. Additionally, Hungary’s ruling party is seeking a constitutional amendment that recognizes only two genders, which mirrors Trump-era policies. While Orbán has ruled since 2010, he faces growing opposition ahead of the 2026 elections. Whether Hungary’s anti-LGBTQ policies escalate further may depend on the President of the United States. Hungary received widespread criticism from across the world’s LGBTQ organizations. As of this broadcast there has not been a statement from Budapest Pride.
