Hungary's New Constitutional Amendment Sparks LGBTQ+ Rights Controversy

On April 14, 2025, Hungary's National Assembly, dominated by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's Fidesz party, passed a constitutional amendment that significantly restricts LGBTQ+ rights. The amendment defines gender strictly as male or female based on birth, effectively denying legal recognition for transgender and intersex individuals. It also empowers the government to ban public LGBTQ+ events, including Budapest Pride, by labeling them as harmful to children's moral and physical development. Additionally, the amendment allows the use of facial recognition technology to identify attendees of banned events and imposes fines on participants. These measures have sparked mass protests in Budapest and drawn international criticism, with rights groups and foreign embassies expressing concern over the erosion of civil liberties and human rights in Hungary.

The amendment passed with a two-thirds majority in the National Assembly, reflecting the Fidesz party's strong parliamentary control. The government justified the changes as necessary to protect children, aligning with previous legislation that prohibits promoting homosexuality to minors. Critics argue that these measures are part of a broader strategy to consolidate power and suppress dissent ahead of the 2026 elections.

In response to the amendment, thousands of protesters have taken to the streets of Budapest, expressing their opposition to the new restrictions. Demonstrations have also spread to other cities, indicating widespread discontent with the government's actions. Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, have condemned the amendment. Dávid Vig, Director of Amnesty International Hungary, stated, "This law is a full-frontal attack on the LGBTI community and a blatant violation of Hungary’s obligations to prohibit discrimination and guarantee freedom of expression and peaceful assembly."

Internationally, the amendment has drawn criticism from foreign governments and organizations. The embassies of 38 countries and more than 10 cultural institutions issued a joint statement urging the Hungarian government to retract laws seen as limiting the rights of the LGBTQ+ community. The statement expressed "full support for members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex (LGBTQI+) community in Hungary and their rights to equality and non-discrimination."

The European Commission has previously taken legal action against Hungary for laws discriminating against LGBTQ+ individuals, indicating potential further scrutiny and action in response to the new amendment. The United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has also urged Hungary to repeal the anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, describing it as a severe violation of basic rights for LGBTQ+ individuals.

This amendment follows a series of legislative actions by the Hungarian government targeting LGBTQ+ rights, including a 2021 law that banned the "depiction or promotion" of homosexuality to minors. The current amendment intensifies the government's ongoing efforts to curtail LGBTQ+ rights and suppress dissenting voices, reflecting a broader trend of authoritarian measures under Orbán's administration.

The use of facial recognition technology to identify and fine participants of banned events raises significant concerns about privacy and the potential for misuse in suppressing dissent. Legal experts and opposition lawmakers argue that these measures are propaganda tools to distract from deeper socio-political issues and solidify Orbán’s political power ahead of the 2026 elections.

As Hungary continues to implement policies that restrict civil liberties and target minority groups, the international community remains watchful. The European Union and human rights organizations are likely to increase pressure on the Hungarian government to uphold democratic principles and human rights standards. The coming months will be critical in determining the impact of these measures on Hungary's domestic and international standing.