The LGBTQ community in Hungary gathered for a massive rally, where they carried banners and sent messages to Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. Budapest, the Hungarian capital, promotes itself as a party town, and despite intense heat, the party spread across the streets of the city—from Elizabeth Bridge to the riverbanks and suburbs on both sides of the Danube. Between 100,000 and 200,000 people, mostly young, danced their way from Pest to Buda, a journey of 20 minutes that took nearly three hours to complete.Participants said that Orbán’s ban actually motivated more people to join this year’s event. Last year, approximately 35,000 people took part.This time, many carried humorous banners aimed at the prime minister. For many, the event was a peaceful form of retaliation against what they described as 15 years of pressure under Orbán’s leadership.One banner read: “I learned a lot about how to recognize a dictator in my history class. You don’t need to prove it anymore, Viktor.”Some T-shirts featured images of Orbán with eyeshadow and lipstick. This year’s Pride event became a celebration of human rights and solidarity.At an event outside Budapest Technical University, the city’s mayor, Gergely Karácsony, said, “It doesn’t really feel like we’re banned. We just wanted to organize a big, peaceful event. Our message is clear: They have no power over us.”One participant, Lee Anderson, said, “We’re not here just to promote ourselves—this is about basic rights for everyone.”A law passed by Orbán’s majority in parliament had initially banned the event, prohibiting the “promotion” of homosexuality in places where children could see it.Citing the same law, police imposed a ban on Saturday’s rally. In response, the mayor invoked a different law through the city council to authorize the event.Meanwhile, Prime Minister Orbán attended a graduation ceremony for new police and customs officers in another part of the city. There, he said, “Order doesn’t just appear on its own. It must be created, because without it, civilized life disappears.”Earlier, Orbán and his party officials posted photos with their children and grandchildren. Alexandra Szentkirályi posted a photo wearing a T-shirt reading “Hungary” and wrote, “Post a picture to show them what we are proud of.”Police presence during Saturday’s event was restrained, but temporary cameras were set up at several points along the rally route to record the entire event. A new law passed on March 18 grants police the power to use facial recognition software. Participating in such a Pride rally can result in fines ranging from $14 to $430.Government-affiliated political analyst Zoltán Kiszelly told the BBC the matter could end up in court. If the court sides with the mayor and Pride organizers, the prime minister might be forced to consider amending the law.
