Tens of thousands of people gathered in Budapest on June 28, 2025, for what has become one of the largest Pride marches in history, despite a controversial government ban. The march was sparked by recent laws passed by Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s government. This legislation would have severely limited LGBTQ rights and would have banned any meeting that went against the law’s directives. As always, this year’s event will be a pretty amazing moment for these activists and supporters. They’re holding the line against what they consider an authoritarian assault on personal freedoms and civil liberties.
In March 2025, faced with mounting criticism and pressure, Orban’s government preemptively passed a new bill. This legislation amended a 2021 law that had already prohibited the “display and promotion” of homosexuality to those under 18 years. These new amendments made it even more illegal to hold public gatherings that violated these laws. These measures, argues the government, are essential to protect traditional family values. They have pursued aggressive measures to protect children from what they believe to be the corrosive outside influences.
The mayor of Budapest, Gergely Karacsony, had publicly declared his support for the anti-Pride march organizers. He expressed his commitment to fostering a more tolerant society, stating, “We are here for advertising for a more tolerant society.” Despite the opposition to the march, the federal government did not back down, insisting that the marchers would be arrested and prosecuted. As Orban said himself, the police would not use violence to break up the protest. He cautioned that participants might be subject to large penalties or even jail time for their participation.
The atmosphere during the event was electric, with many participants expressing their determination to stand up against what they perceive as oppression. A line of Blanka Molnar, an activist at the march, introduced the international implications of the event. “This isn’t just about LGBTQ+ rights, it’s about the right to assemble and about standing up for each other and not allowing [the government] to oppress us,” she stated.
Lately, opinion polls of Hungarian voters indicate that Orban’s Fidesz party has lost their footing with constituents, with significant increases in support for opposition alliances. This decline comes amid increasing public discontent with the government’s ongoing rollback of LGBTQ rights since Orban’s return to power in 2010. Recent legislation has made it possible for same-sex couples to adopt children. They have further restricted access for transgender people seeking to change their name or gender marker on identification documents.
In spite of this threat of legal action, the Pride march drew an incredible turnout. Almost every attendee told us they were surprised at the turnout and support that flooded in for the event. One participant, Zoltan, remarked, “I am very surprised that there are so many people, I want to cry.” This feeling is emblematic of the overwhelming spirit of unity felt among everyone in attendance.
The event was without its critics. Far-right groups staged counter-demonstrations at multiple spots along their route. They opposed LGBTQ rights in the harshest terms and promised to restore traditional values. Solidarity for the Pride march extended well outside the borders of Hungary. In all, 33 countries signed on in support of the event. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen joined in calling on Hungarian authorities to allow the Pride march.
As the chord of frustration and anger among Cairo’s youth rang louder each day, tensions heightened between top government officials and activists. Others observed that Orban’s government had accidentally deepened support for the LGBTQ community through its efforts to silence it. Peter Magyar, a local commentator, claimed that the government’s efforts to impose restrictions “scored not a goal, but a huge own goal with their attempt to ban today’s event.”
