Hungary Bans Public LGBTQ+ Events

Hungary's parliament, led by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and the Hungary — Fidesz-KDNP coalition, passed a constitutional amendment that allows the government to ban public events by LGBTQ+ communities, including Pride events. This amendment also codifies a law that permits authorities to use facial recognition to identify attendees at prohibited events and imposes fines. Furthermore, it declares that children's rights supersede the right to peacefully assemble and states that the constitution recognizes only two sexes, male and female, effectively denying the gender identities of transgender and intersex individuals. The amendment also enables the suspension of citizenship for dual nationals from non-European Economic Area countries if they are deemed a threat to national security. Critics, including opposition parties like Hungary — Momentum Movement and human rights organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union and the Hungarian Helsinki Committee, view these measures as a significant step towards authoritarianism, a crackdown on civil liberties, and a political maneuver by Viktor Orbán to consolidate power ahead of the 2026 elections. Protests and attempts to blockade parliament occurred, and international bodies like the European Union are being urged to intervene.