In Budapest this weekend, history was made. Tens of thousands filled the streets in the largest-ever Pride parade Hungary has ever seen—despite the government’s attempt to ban it. Right-wing Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, whose party passed an anti-LGBTQ law in March, aimed to shut Pride down by criminalizing the “depiction of homosexuality” to minors. Organizers and attendees faced threats of fines and even facial recognition tracking. But Hungary’s queer community and allies pushed back—with love, resistance, and massive numbers.
The Pride president, Viktória Radvány (Rad-Ve-Nee), said,
“We believe there are 180,000 to 200,000 people attending. It is hard to estimate because there have never been so many people at Budapest Pride.”
Even Budapest’s Mayor, joined the march.
Péter Magyar, Orbán’s political rival, didn’t mince words either. Magyar said,
“Viktor Orbán became the king of Pride in Europe yesterday, because no one else has ever managed to mobilise such a large crowd for a demonstration against himself by inciting hatred.”
Despite Orbán calling the parade “shameful,” LGBTQ Hungarians and allies showed the world what pride and courage really look like.
