Fact Check: "New law allows fines up to 200,000 for attending Pride!"
What We Know
In Hungary, a new law passed in March 2025 has made it illegal to hold or attend events that "depict or promote" homosexuality to minors under the age of 18. This law specifically targets events like the Budapest Pride march, which was explicitly mentioned by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán as a violation of children's rights to moral and spiritual development (source-1, source-2). According to the law, individuals caught attending such events could face fines of up to 200,000 Hungarian forints, approximately $586 (source-1, source-6).
The law is part of a broader crackdown on LGBTQ+ rights in Hungary, which has seen the government effectively ban same-sex adoption and marriage, as well as restrict transgender individuals from changing their gender on official documents (source-1, source-3).
Analysis
The claim that a new law allows fines up to 200,000 for attending Pride is supported by multiple reputable sources. The Associated Press and NPR both report that the law specifically targets events like Pride, and that fines for attendance can reach 200,000 forints (source-1, source-2).
The credibility of these sources is high; both NPR and the Associated Press are well-established news organizations known for their journalistic integrity and fact-checking standards. The information is corroborated by other outlets such as the BBC, which also discusses the implications of the law and its enforcement (source-3).
Furthermore, the law's context within Hungary's political landscape, characterized by increasing authoritarianism under Orbán's government, adds weight to the claim. The government's previous actions against LGBTQ+ rights and the explicit targeting of the Pride event suggest a systematic approach to suppressing LGBTQ+ visibility and rights (source-1, source-2).
Conclusion
The claim that a new law allows fines up to 200,000 for attending Pride is True. The law explicitly states that attendance at such events can lead to significant fines, and this has been reported by multiple credible news sources. The context of the law within Hungary's broader political climate further supports the validity of this claim.
Sources
- Around 100000 march in Budapest Pride event in defiance ... - NPR
- Around 100,<em>000 </em>march in Budapest <em>Pride </em>in open defiance of Hungary’… - AP News
- Budapest Pride draws huge crowds in defiance of Orban ... - BBC
- Sign in to Gmail - Computer - Gmail Help - Gmail Help
- Download the new Google Meet app - Google Meet Help
- Around 100000 march in Budapest Pride in open defiance ... - AJC
