Fact Check: Hungary's new law threatens Pride attendees with fines up to 200,000 forints.

Fact Check: Hungary's New Law Threatens Pride Attendees with Fines Up to 200,000 Forints

What We Know

In March 2025, Hungary's parliament passed a controversial law that bans Pride events and imposes severe penalties for participation. According to reports, the law specifically makes it an offense to hold or attend events that “depict or promote” homosexuality to individuals under the age of 18. This legislation has been described as part of a broader crackdown on LGBTQ+ rights in Hungary, led by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's government (source-1, source-3).

The law stipulates that individuals caught attending a banned event, such as the Budapest Pride march, could face fines of up to 200,000 Hungarian forints (approximately $586) (source-1, source-6). The law has been met with significant opposition, leading to protests and public demonstrations against the government (source-2).

Analysis

The claim that Hungary's new law threatens Pride attendees with fines up to 200,000 forints is substantiated by multiple credible sources. The law was fast-tracked through parliament and explicitly targets events like Pride, which the government has deemed a violation of children's rights (source-1, source-3).

The reliability of the sources is high, as they include reputable news organizations such as The Washington Post, Reuters, and the Associated Press, which are known for their journalistic standards and fact-checking processes. The reports consistently mention the fines associated with attending Pride events, confirming the claim's accuracy. Additionally, the context provided by these sources highlights the political motivations behind the law and the significant public backlash it has generated, further validating the seriousness of the situation.

Conclusion

The claim that Hungary's new law threatens Pride attendees with fines up to 200,000 forints is True. The law explicitly imposes such fines on individuals attending banned events, including Pride, and reflects a broader trend of increasing restrictions on LGBTQ+ rights in Hungary. The evidence from multiple credible sources supports this conclusion.

Fact Check: Hungary's new law threatens Pride attendees with fines up to 200,000 forints.