Defying a government ban and police orders, an estimated 100,000 people marched through Budapest on Saturday in what organizers described as the largest LGBTQ+ Pride event in Hungary’s history. The demonstration marked a powerful protest against Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s right-wing government.
Despite the risks of police intervention and hefty fines, participants took to the streets for the 30th annual Budapest Pride — which had been officially outlawed in March by Orbán’s ruling party. The parade began at City Hall and made its way through central Budapest, eventually crossing the Erzsébet Bridge over the Danube River.
Police rerouted the march to keep participants away from a small group of far-right counterprotesters. Nevertheless, the streets were filled with rainbow flags, music, and anti-government slogans as members of the LGBTQ+ community and their allies celebrated in defiance.
Blanka Molnár, one of the marchers, called the turnout “a fantastic feeling,” especially given the event’s outlawed status. “It’s more important than ever for people to stand up — even those who’ve never joined Pride before,” she said. “This isn’t just about LGBTQ+ rights. It’s about standing up for our right to assemble and resist government oppression.”
The massive scale of the event came as a blow to Orbán, whose popularity has dipped in recent polls, with a newly formed opposition gaining traction. His government has argued that Pride events threaten children’s “moral and spiritual development” — a claim tied to a constitutional amendment that prioritizes these supposed rights over freedoms like assembly.
A law passed in March bans events deemed to “depict or promote” homosexuality to minors under 18, explicitly targeting Budapest Pride. Surveillance cameras were added throughout the city ahead of the event, and facial recognition software was expected to be used to identify attendees. Fines for participating could reach 200,000 forints (about $586).
András Faludy, another marcher, dismissed the controversy around Pride as “pathetic hysteria,” expressing anger at the government’s narrative. “I could use a worse word, but I won’t,” he said.
This crackdown follows a series of anti-LGBTQ+ measures introduced by Orbán’s government, including banning same-sex marriage, restricting adoption by same-sex couples, and denying transgender people the right to legally change their gender.
Organizers faced repeated rejections from police when attempting to register the event. However, Budapest Mayor Gergely Karácsony stepped in, announcing that Pride would be held as a city-sponsored event, which he argued did not require police approval.
Still, national authorities insisted the event was illegal. The justice minister even warned Karácsony that organizing or promoting Pride could result in a prison sentence of up to one year.
Many marchers emphasized that the demonstration represented more than a fight for LGBTQ+ rights — it was also about defending democracy. Participant Zsófia Szekér said the overwhelming turnout revealed a widespread desire for change. “If enough people take to the streets, that’s how real change happens,” she said.
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