Twenty EU member states have issued a formal appeal to the European Commission, urging it to act against Hungary following its effective ban on LGBTQ+ Pride events. This bold diplomatic move represents a significant escalation in tensions between Hungary and the rest of the European Union, as concerns mount over the Orbán government’s ongoing assault on LGBTQ+ rights and democratic values.
The immediate catalyst for this outcry was a recent law introduced in Hungary that prohibits public events deemed to "promote" homosexuality or gender transition to minors. Under this law, pride events—particularly those visible to the public or held in city centres—are now at risk of being banned outright, organisers threatened with hefty fines, and participants subject to legal repercussions. Budapest Pride, one of the most well-known Pride events in Eastern Europe, is directly endangered by this legislation. Organisers now face severe restrictions, including increased police scrutiny, pressure to change parade routes, and potential cancellation without clear legal recourse.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who has long positioned himself as a defender of "traditional family values," has repeatedly justified these measures by claiming to protect children. However, critics—both within Hungary and across the EU—see this as a thinly veiled attack on LGBTQ+ visibility and human rights. The legislation closely mirrors Russia’s 2013 “gay propaganda” law and appears designed to marginalise queer communities and silence dissent.
In response, EU nations including France, Germany, Spain, Ireland, Sweden, and the Netherlands have jointly condemned the law and called on the European Commission to trigger legal mechanisms to hold Hungary accountable for breaching EU principles, particularly those enshrined in the Charter of Fundamental Rights. These include the right to freedom of expression, freedom of assembly, and protection against discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
While Hungary remains a member of the EU, it has become increasingly isolated on issues of civil rights and press freedom. Previous attempts to sanction the country under Article 7 of the EU Treaty—which allows for the suspension of certain rights of a member state—have stalled due to procedural hurdles and political deadlock. But this latest challenge over LGBTQ+ rights has reinvigorated calls for the Commission to take firmer action, possibly through the European Court of Justice or by withholding EU funds for failure to comply with rule-of-law conditions.
Though the UK is no longer a member of the European Union, what happens in Hungary is not a distant concern. Regressive policies have a tendency to cross borders, particularly when left unchecked. In recent years, we’ve seen a worrying rise in anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric across parts of Europe, including the scapegoating of trans people in political discourse and restrictions on inclusive education. For the UK’s LGBTQ+ community, this is not just a moment to watch from the sidelines—it’s a call to speak up and stand in solidarity.
It’s important to remember that Pride is rooted in resistance. It exists not only as a celebration of identity, but as a response to institutional oppression. Hungary’s crackdown is a reminder of how fragile progress can be, and how essential it is to defend LGBTQ+ rights beyond our borders. Visibility, protest, and international pressure remain powerful tools in the face of state-led discrimination.
The EU’s united front sends a strong message: that homophobia and transphobia have no place in a democratic Europe. But words must be followed by concrete action. For the thousands of LGBTQ+ Hungarians now living under threat, symbolic support is not enough. They need legal protection, vocal allies, and a global community that refuses to be silent.