Fact Check: 100,000 march in Budapest Pride, defying government ban!

Fact Check: "100,000 march in Budapest Pride, defying government ban!"

What We Know

On June 28, 2025, approximately 100,000 people participated in the Budapest Pride march, which was described as the largest LGBTQ+ Pride event in Hungary's history. This event took place despite a government ban and police orders aimed at preventing it. The ban was enacted following a law passed in March 2025 by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's government, which restricted public events that "depict or promote" homosexuality to minors under the age of 18 (source-1, source-2).

The march began at Budapest City Hall and proceeded through the city center, crossing the Erzsébet Bridge over the Danube River. Participants included not only members of the LGBTQ+ community but also a significant number of supporters who expressed their dissent against the government’s policies (source-1, source-4).

Despite the government’s warnings of potential fines and imprisonment for participating in the march, the turnout was significantly higher than in previous years, which typically saw only a few thousand attendees (source-2, source-3).

Analysis

The claim that "100,000 march in Budapest Pride, defying government ban" is supported by multiple credible sources. Reports from the Associated Press, The New York Times, and Reuters all confirm the attendance figures and the context of the event being a direct defiance of the government's ban (source-1, source-2, source-4).

The reliability of these sources is high, as they are well-established news organizations with a history of accurate reporting. The Associated Press and The New York Times, in particular, have extensive international coverage and are known for their journalistic integrity. The event's significance is further underscored by the participation of over 70 members of the European Parliament and other officials, indicating a broader political context and support for LGBTQ+ rights (source-1, source-4).

The government's response to the event, including threats of legal consequences for participants and organizers, reflects a significant tension between state policies and civil liberties in Hungary. This context adds weight to the claim, as it illustrates the risks taken by participants in attending the march (source-2, source-3).

Conclusion

The claim that "100,000 march in Budapest Pride, defying government ban" is True. The evidence from multiple credible sources confirms that a large number of participants attended the event in open defiance of a government ban, marking a significant moment in Hungary's LGBTQ+ rights movement. The high turnout and the political implications of the march further validate the claim.