Hungary Confirms Ban on Budapest Pride Parade

The Hungarian government, led by Prime Minister Viktor Orban, has announced a ban on public Pride parades in Budapest, citing child protection concerns and arguing these events hinder children's healthy development. This decision follows the departure of US ambassador David Pressman, after which the events are no longer under 'international protection.' Critics, including NGOs and human rights activists, argue this move violates rights to free assembly and expression, suggesting it's an autocratic attempt to suppress LGBTQ+ rights. Gergely Gulyas, Orban's chief of staff, stated that Pride should instead take place in a 'closed venue,' while Pride organizers vow to continue the parade, calling the government's actions 'political theater.' This action is part of broader anti-LGBTQ+ policies by Orban, who has pushed to legally define gender in binary terms.