Hungary’s parliament has passed a sweeping constitutional amendment that bans all public LGBTQ+ events, including Pride marches. The amendment, backed by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s ruling Fidesz party, passed with 140 votes in favor and 21 against. The law has sparked immediate protests within Hungary and drawn strong condemnation from human rights groups and European governments.

The new law formalizes previous restrictions that had already limited LGBTQ+ gatherings. Now, it adds constitutional force to those limits, allowing authorities to enforce them more aggressively. The law also gives police the right to use facial recognition technology to track and penalize people who participate in banned events.

Government Defends Law as “Child Protection”

Officials from Orbán’s government claim the law is meant to protect children. The amendment states that only two biological sexes—male and female—are recognized in Hungary. This change effectively ends legal recognition for transgender and non-binary individuals.

In a speech defending the law, Orbán said, “Children must be shielded from ideas that go against traditional family values.” His government insists that LGBTQ+ expressions in public may confuse young people and undermine national values.

Critics, however, see this as a direct attack on civil liberties. Human rights organizations say the government is using child protection as a cover to suppress dissent and limit public freedoms.

New Law Allows Citizenship Revocation

The amendment includes another significant change. It allows the Hungarian government to strip dual nationals of their citizenship for up to 10 years if they are labeled a security threat. This applies only to individuals whose second citizenship is from outside the EU or European Economic Area.

Legal experts warn that this clause could be used against political dissidents and critics of the government. Several watchdog groups have said this change puts thousands of dual citizens at risk.

Domestic Protests Met With Force

On the day of the vote, members of the opposition and citizens tried to block the parliamentary building in protest. Some demonstrators were forcibly removed by police. Protesters included members of the liberal Momentum party, which compared the law to anti-LGBTQ+ legislation in Russia.

Despite the ban, organizers of Budapest Pride say they will still hold the annual event on June 28. “This is not about protecting children. It’s about silencing us,” the group stated in a social media post.

Rights groups within Hungary, including the Háttér Society and the Hungarian Helsinki Committee, say this amendment is part of a larger campaign to intimidate minorities and control public discourse.

International Response: EU and Allies Alarmed

The move has prompted sharp criticism from across Europe. Twenty-two embassies, including those of France, Germany, and the United Kingdom, issued a joint statement condemning the constitutional change. The statement said the law threatens freedom of speech and peaceful assembly.

Hadja Lahbib, the EU Commissioner for Equality, voiced strong support for Hungary’s LGBTQ+ community. “Everyone deserves the right to live freely, to love openly, and to gather peacefully,” she said. Lahbib emphasized that peaceful protest is a core European right that must be protected.

Rights advocates are now calling on the European Commission to take legal action against Hungary. They argue that the law violates fundamental EU values and treaties related to human rights and democratic freedoms.

Broader Impact on Democratic Freedoms

While the law is framed around LGBTQ+ issues, experts warn that its effects may be much wider. The Hungarian Civil Liberties Union released a statement saying, “This is not just about one group. This law weakens freedom of expression for everyone.”

The group added that these legal changes may create a chilling effect on free speech, protest, and activism of all kinds

As international pressure mounts, it remains to be seen how the EU will respond. Hungary has already faced criticism over its recent moves to centralize power and restrict media freedom. This new law is likely to intensify tensions with Brussels.