Despite a government ban, 100,000 participants made history at Budapest Pride 2025, staging Hungary's largest LGBTQ+ demonstration in defiance of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's policies. This massive march, a powerful rebuke of restrictive laws, showcased unwavering support for LGBTQ+ rights and freedom of assembly in Hungary
Defying a government ban, 100,000 participants made history at Budapest Pride 2025, creating Hungary's largest LGBTQ+ demonstration. Despite facing potential police intervention and hefty fines, marchers celebrated freedom and openly challenged Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's right-wing government, which outlawed the 30th annual event in March. This powerful display of solidarity showcased the fight for LGBTQ+ rights and freedom of assembly in Hungary
Budapest Pride 2025: Defying the Ban, 100,000 March Across Erzsébet Bridge. Despite a government ban and police redirection to avoid far-right counter-protesters, Hungary's LGBTQ+ community and allies celebrated freedom with a massive march from Budapest City Hall, dancing to music and waving rainbow and anti-government flags across the Danube River. This historic event marked the largest LGBTQ+ Pride in Hungary's history, a powerful display of defiance against oppressive policies
Record-breaking Budapest Pride Defies Ban: Despite government restrictions, an estimated 100,000 participants rallied for LGBTQ+ rights and freedom of assembly, showcasing unwavering support and marking a powerful statement against oppressive policies. Marcher Blanka Molnár described the unprecedented turnout as a "fantastic feeling," highlighting the growing importance of resistance for all Hungarians, even first-time Pride attendees. This historic event underscores the fight for LGBTQ+ rights and fundamental freedoms in Hungary
Budapest Pride 2025: A defiant 100,000 marchers exercised their right to assemble, demonstrating solidarity against government oppression and fighting for LGBTQ+ rights in Hungary. This historic event showcased the power of collective action in the face of adversity
Hungary's Budapest Pride: 100,000 Defy Orbán's Ban in Historic LGBTQ+ March. A massive show of defiance against Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's government, the unprecedented turnout at Budapest Pride dealt a significant blow to his declining popularity amidst rising opposition support. This historic LGBTQ+ rights demonstration highlights the ongoing struggle for freedom of assembly in Hungary
Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's government banned Budapest Pride, claiming the LGBTQ+ rights celebration violated children's moral and spiritual development, a priority enshrined in a recent constitutional amendment overriding other fundamental rights, including freedom of assembly. Despite the ban and potential penalties, tens of thousands defied the government, participating in what organizers declared the largest Pride march in Hungarian history
Hungary's controversial new law, passed in March, criminalizes events promoting homosexuality to minors, effectively targeting LGBTQ+ events like Budapest Pride. This legislation, explicitly aimed at suppressing the annual Pride parade, prompted a massive turnout defying the ban and police orders, marking a significant act of civil disobedience
Budapest Pride 2025: Despite Government Ban and Facial Recognition Surveillance, 100,000 Defy Orbán Regime. Authorities deployed increased CCTV and facial recognition technology in the city center ahead of the march, with attendees risking fines up to 200,000 Hungarian forints ($586) under a new law prohibiting LGBTQ+ events
Hungarian author András Faludy condemned the recent anti-Pride hysteria in Hungary, calling the backlash "damn pathetic" and "nonsense." His statement reflects the growing outrage over the government's suppression of LGBTQ+ rights and freedom of assembly
He suppressed his rage, choosing to restrain his anger rather than use stronger, more offensive language
The ban was the latest crackdown on LGBTQ+ rights by Orbán’s government, which has already effectively banned both same-sex adoption and same-sex marriage and disallowed transgender individuals from changing their sex in official documents.
Police rejected several requests by organizers in recent weeks to register the Pride march, citing the recent law. But Budapest Mayor Gergely Karácsony joined with organizers and declared it would be held as a separate municipal event — something he said doesn’t require police approval.
But Hungary’s government remained firm, insisting that holding the Pride march, even if it’s sponsored by the city, would be unlawful. Hungary’s justice minister this week warned Karácsony that organizing Pride or encouraging people to attend would be punishable by up to a year in prison.
Many marchers expressed their belief that the Pride march represented a struggle not just for the protections of the rights of sexual minorities, but for the democratic future of their country.
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Participant Zsófia Szekér said the number of attendees showed that a major part of society desired a new direction for Hungary.
“I think we can only achieve change if so many people take to the streets,” she said.
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