Hungary is moving to amend its Constitution to prioritize child protection, a step that could effectively ban the annual LGBTQ+ Pride march. The announcement on February 27 follows Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s recent crackdown on LGBTQ+ activism and foreign-funded media, aligning with his pledge to tighten control ahead of the 2026 elections.
Orbán, facing growing opposition pressure, told supporters on February 22 that Pride organizers “shouldn’t even bother” this year, dismissing the event as a waste of time and money. Organizers fired back, arguing that the right to assembly is enshrined in the Constitution and that the event is inclusive and family-friendly.
Gergely Gulyás, Orbán’s chief of staff, confirmed that the upcoming constitutional amendment would state that a child’s right to physical, mental, and moral development outweighs all other rights except the right to life. When pressed on whether this meant an outright ban on Pride, he hinted that the change was directly linked to the event, stating, “The clash between assembly rights and children’s right to healthy development must be resolved.”
Further cementing the government’s stance, Transportation and Construction Minister János Lázár declared that Pride must be prohibited, urging authorities to “push back against the gay lobby.”
For years, Budapest’s Pride march has taken over the tree-lined Andrassy Avenue, drawing thousands in a vibrant show of support for LGBTQ+ rights. Organizers argue that events like Pride signal whether a government respects freedom of expression or seeks to silence dissent.
With Orbán’s ruling party controlling parliament, the amendment is almost certain to pass. Since taking power in 2010, he has pushed a staunchly Christian-conservative agenda, including a controversial 2021 law banning what the government calls the “promotion of homosexuality” to minors, a move that sparked condemnation from rights groups and the European Union.
As Hungary edges closer to tightening its stance on LGBTQ+ rights, the fate of Pride hangs in the balance, with the government showing no signs of backing down.
