Just over two weeks after Hungary’s anti-LGBTIQ law came into force on July 8, MEPs stood shoulder to shoulder with the Hungarian LGBTIQ community at Budapest Pride.
The new legislation, which the European Parliament voted overwhelmingly to condemn, describing it as being in clear breach of fundamental rights, contains clauses prohibiting the portrayal of homosexuality and gender reassignment to minors.
The law also prohibits homosexuality and gender reassignment from being featured in sex education classes and stipulates that such classes can now only be taught by registered organisations.
On Sunday the Renew Europe group tweeted, “Our MEPs took part in the Budapest Pride yesterday to support the LGBTIQ community in Hungary and all over Europe,” adding, “Renew Europe stands in solidarity with all those protesting for their rights.”
French Renew Europe deputy Fabienne Keller said she was in the crowd at Budapest Pride with colleagues Pierre Karleskind, Valérie Hayer and Karen Melchior, as well as “many colleagues from the European Parliament,” adding, “we stand alongside tens of thousands of Hungarians demonstrating for their rights.”
Hayer said, “There are thousands of us walking to say yes to love and yes to Hungary.”
“What a day. 30,000+ people in the streets in Budapest saying: We are not an ideology. Love is love. And: Equality for all. Budapest pride was a full success in making clear: Hungary is not Orbán. This gives so much hope for the future” Terry Reintke, Greens/EFA
Fellow Renew Europe member, Hungarian MEP Anna Júlia Donáth, tweeted on Sunday, “Yesterday we marched in the streets of Budapest for equality, love and tolerance.”
S&D deputy and co-president of Parliament’s LGBTI Intergroup, Marc Angel, said he was “glad so many Hungarians came out to support human rights,” adding, “they believe in European values and not in the Russian-style anti-LGBTIQ law from [Hungarian Prime Minister] Orbán.”
Fellow LGBTI Intergroup co-president, Greens/EFA member Terry Reintke, delivered a speech at Budapest Pride, telling the crowd, “Let us walk through the streets of Budapest today. With our heads up high. And celebrate our lives. Celebrate who we are and celebrate who we love.”
Later she tweeted, “What a day. 30,000+ people in the streets in Budapest saying: We are not an ideology. Love is love. And: Equality for all.”
She added, “Budapest pride was a full success in making clear: Hungary is not Orbán. This gives so much hope for the future.
Dutch Greens/EFA colleague Kim van Sparrentak said, “Today I'm taking part in the Budapest Pride. We are showing that the Hungarian LGBTI community is not alone in the face of gay and transphobic laws. Together we stand strong.”
“There are thousands of us walking to say yes to love and yes to Hungary” Valérie Hayer, Renew Europe
Irish EPP member Maria Walsh was also in attendance at Budapest Pride, calling it “a monumental day for activists, allies and our Rainbow communities across Europe.”
Belgian ECR MEP Assita Kanko tweeted ahead of her journey to Hungary, “Love has no colour. We are all concerned about the wellbeing of LGBT+ people in Hungary and elsewhere, so we are going to listen and see how we can help.”