Fact Check: "The mayor of Budapest announced that the city will organize Budapest Pride in 2024, despite legislation from Prime Minister Viktor Orban that restricts LGBTQ+ events."
What We Know
The claim revolves around the announcement made by the mayor of Budapest regarding the organization of Budapest Pride in 2024. However, this announcement comes in the context of recent legislative changes in Hungary that significantly restrict LGBTQ+ events. On April 14, 2025, Hungary's parliament passed a constitutional amendment allowing the government to ban public events by LGBTQ+ communities, which critics argue is a move toward authoritarianism under Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's government (AP News). This amendment codifies a law that prohibits the "depiction or promotion" of homosexuality to minors under 18, effectively banning events like Pride that could be seen as promoting LGBTQ+ rights (Human Rights Watch).
Analysis
The mayor's announcement about organizing Budapest Pride in 2024 appears to be a defiant stance against the backdrop of these restrictive laws. While the mayor may have the intention to hold the event, the legal framework established by the recent amendments poses significant challenges. The constitutional amendment passed in April 2025 allows for the banning of public events by LGBTQ+ communities, which includes Pride marches (Reuters). This creates a contradiction: while the mayor may wish to organize Pride, the government has the legal authority to prohibit it.
Moreover, the reliability of the sources reporting on this issue varies. The Associated Press and Reuters are reputable news organizations that provide factual reporting on legislative changes and their implications (AP News, Reuters). In contrast, some sources may have a more activist perspective, which could influence their portrayal of the events (Human Rights Watch).
The situation is further complicated by the political climate in Hungary, where the ruling Fidesz party has been criticized for its increasingly authoritarian measures against civil rights, particularly those of the LGBTQ+ community (Human Rights Watch). This context is crucial in evaluating the feasibility of the mayor's announcement.
Conclusion
The claim that the mayor of Budapest announced the organization of Budapest Pride in 2024 is Partially True. While the announcement may have been made, the legislative environment under Prime Minister Viktor Orbán poses significant barriers to the actualization of such an event. The constitutional amendment that allows the government to ban LGBTQ+ public events creates a legal context that could prevent the Pride event from occurring, despite the mayor's intentions.
Sources
- Budapest – Wikipedia
- Hungary passes constitutional amendment to ban LGBTQ+ ...
- Hungary passes law to ban Pride march, triggering protest
- Hungary Bans LGBT Pride Events
- Budapest, Unkari - Pieni Matkaopas
- Budapest on halpa kaupunki – Rantapallon matkaopas 2023
- Hungary Bans Budapest Pride 2025: LGBTQ+ Rights at Risk
- Budapest – opas kauneuden kaupunkiin - Kerran elämässä
