Earlier this year, Hungary passed legislation prohibiting Pride events and permitting the use of facial recognition technology to identify participants at unauthorised gatherings. The government has stated that the law is part of a broader child protection policy.

Dutch MEP Kim van Sparrentak (Greens/EFA) said her presence at the march is intended to show solidarity with Hungary’s LGBTQ+ community. Marc Angel, Vice-President of the European Parliament and Co-Chair of the LGBTI Intergroup, also confirmed his attendance. He emphasised the importance of defending the right to peaceful assembly as a core European value.

This week, foreign ministers from 20 EU member states signed a joint letter urging Hungary to revise its legislation. The letter expressed concern about the implications of the new measures for freedom of expression, the right to privacy, and peaceful protest.

Despite the ban, organisers of Budapest Pride have announced that the event will go ahead and are calling on international supporters to join the march through the Hungarian capital.