Hungary’s government has launched its most aggressive attack yet on LGBTQ+ rights.

In March, Hungary’s Parliament rushed through a new law banning Pride marches and criminalizing peaceful protest. Just one day later, the President signed it into law. The legislation expands the reach of Hungary’s notorious 2021 “anti-LGBTQ+ propaganda” law – already under review by the European Court of Justice.

Now, those who dare to take to the streets face police intimidation, crushing fines, and the looming threat of facial recognition surveillance – a dangerous violation of privacy and dignity that directly contradicts the EU’s Artificial Intelligence Act, which bans such mass surveillance in public spaces.

This crackdown couldn’t come at a more symbolic moment. Budapest Pride is set to celebrate its 30th anniversary on June 28. But unless urgent action is taken by the European Commission by May 27 – the registration deadline – peaceful Pride participants will march in defiance of the ban and could face financial fines of up to 500 EUR. If not registered in time, pro-government far-right groups can register fake protests to block public spaces from the pride.

For the organizers, the consequences are even more harsh. Unless the European Commission takes action, organizers will face criminal prosecution and jail time of up to 1 year.

This law doesn’t protect children. It protects power.

While Hungary faces real challenges – like a child welfare crisis, healthcare shortages, and a crumbling education system – the government has chosen to scapegoat LGBTQ+ people and choke civil society. These actions echo the oppressive tactics of Russia, where dissent is criminalized and LGBTQ+ lives erased. For the first time in EU history, we are witnessing a country criminalizing its citizens' right to peaceful assembly, to be seen and to be heard.

An EU government banning Pride marches is an unconscionable attack on the very values of freedom, equality, and human dignity that the European Union was built to protect.

By signing this petition, you are standing for the right to march, to gather, to speak out. You are telling the EU loud and clear: Pride is not a crime. Peaceful protest is not propaganda. Visibility is not violence.

The European Commission is the guardian of the Treaties of the EU. The Commission needs to demonstrate that it protects the right for peaceful assembly as much as other fundamental rights.

✊ Sign now to stop this assault on LGBTQ+ rights and freedom to protest. Don’t let Orbán bulldoze democracy. Stand with us. Stand with Budapest Pride.