A record-breaking number of people swarmed into the streets of Budapest on Saturday for the 30th annual Pride parade, defiantly ignoring a government ban and expressing fierce resistance to Hungary’s increasing anti-LGBTQ policies. Organizers estimated that up to 200,000 attended twice the previous record of 35,000 despite warnings of fines, monitoring, and legal action.
The nationalist government of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán recently altered national legislation and the constitution to suppress LGBTQ events in the name of “child protection.” While this year’s parade was banned by national authorities, Budapest’s opposition city hall co-hosted the event, permitting it to take place with apparent backing.
Volunteers paraded with rainbow flags and signs saying “Freedom and love can’t be banned,” under intense observation. The government used facial-recognition software and additional security cameras along the route, sparking concerns about privacy.
“This is the greatest embarrassment so far for Fidesz,” stated Szabolcs Pek of the Iranytu Institute, the ruling party. The large turnout made the government’s messaging and enforcement problematic.
Attendees described the march as emotional and empowering. “I’m proud to be gay, but I’m scared of what this government is doing,” said 66-year-old Zoltan. “Seeing this many people makes me want to cry.”
Solidarity was also fully demonstrated by Europeans, with scores of EU legislators in attendance. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen had previously called on Hungary to overturn the ban, and 33 countries released a collective statement in solidarity with the parade.
There were far-right counter-protests, though small in number. Opposition leader Peter Magyar taunted the government’s effort to quash the event as a “huge own goal.” Budapest Mayor Gergely Karácsony thanked Orbán for inadvertently advertising tolerance.
The event was peaceful despite the political tension, transforming into an emblematic declaration of equality in a growingly constrictive environment.
