Despite legal threats against LGBTQ rights advocates from Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, a planned Pride march in Budapest is scheduled for Saturday. Despite increasing pressure from hardline nationalist politicians and law enforcement to prohibit the exhibition of any pro-LGBTQ materials, the march organisers are hoping for a record turnout this year.
Under a new “child protection” rule that limits gatherings deemed to be encouraging homosexuality, police have issued a ban. Orban minimised the likelihood of violent altercations between participants and police the day before the Pride, but he did warn that attendees would face legal ramifications.
Of course, because they have the power, the police may disperse such gatherings, but Hungary is a civilised nation with a civic society. “We don’t harm one another,” he said on Friday on state radio.
Police have the authority to identify attendees using facial recognition technology, and they might face fines of up to €500 (£427; $586). The organisers may be imprisoned for a year. Former Belgian foreign minister and EU equalities commissioner Hadja Lahbib is in Budapest and is anticipated to march with hundreds of MEPs.
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