Budapest Mayor Gergely Karacsony has been questioned by police as part of an inquiry into his involvement in organizing a banned LGBTQ pride march that occurred on June 28. This event, which went ahead despite warnings from Hungary’s nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban, attracted around 200,000 participants, transforming into an anti-government demonstration, according to organizers.
Karacsony, adorned in a rainbow T-shirt showcasing the city’s coat of arms, voiced his commitment to freedom and love, declaring outside the National Bureau of Investigation, "Neither freedom nor love can be banned in Budapest." This challenging stance comes as he faces potential legal consequences: if convicted, he could incur a prison sentence of up to one year for his alleged role in promoting the unauthorized gathering.
Upon exiting a more than hour-long questioning session, Karacsony rejected the accusations as unfounded and stated his intention to file a complaint against them. He told the assembly of supporters and journalists, "If it cannot be banned, it cannot be punished." The police previously acknowledged they would not penalize attendees for participating, marking a significant moment in Hungary’s discourse surrounding LGBTQ+ rights.
Concerns for the Pride event had escalated since the government introduced a law limiting gatherings under the auspice of protecting children from the promotion of homosexuality. This law adds to a series of measures implemented against the LGBTQ+ community, including the 2020 elimination of legal recognition for transgender people and legislation prohibiting the representation of homosexuality to minors.
Despite these governmental actions, Mayor Karacsony remained unyielding, insisting that the city government would proceed in hosting the Budapest Pride event. Meanwhile, investigators are pursuing an inquiry into unidentified individuals allegedly responsible for orchestrating the prohibited gathering, facing witnesses and gathering testimonies. The situation continues to unfold as activists rally for LGBTQ+ rights amidst growing tensions with Orban's administration.
Karacsony, adorned in a rainbow T-shirt showcasing the city’s coat of arms, voiced his commitment to freedom and love, declaring outside the National Bureau of Investigation, "Neither freedom nor love can be banned in Budapest." This challenging stance comes as he faces potential legal consequences: if convicted, he could incur a prison sentence of up to one year for his alleged role in promoting the unauthorized gathering.
Upon exiting a more than hour-long questioning session, Karacsony rejected the accusations as unfounded and stated his intention to file a complaint against them. He told the assembly of supporters and journalists, "If it cannot be banned, it cannot be punished." The police previously acknowledged they would not penalize attendees for participating, marking a significant moment in Hungary’s discourse surrounding LGBTQ+ rights.
Concerns for the Pride event had escalated since the government introduced a law limiting gatherings under the auspice of protecting children from the promotion of homosexuality. This law adds to a series of measures implemented against the LGBTQ+ community, including the 2020 elimination of legal recognition for transgender people and legislation prohibiting the representation of homosexuality to minors.
Despite these governmental actions, Mayor Karacsony remained unyielding, insisting that the city government would proceed in hosting the Budapest Pride event. Meanwhile, investigators are pursuing an inquiry into unidentified individuals allegedly responsible for orchestrating the prohibited gathering, facing witnesses and gathering testimonies. The situation continues to unfold as activists rally for LGBTQ+ rights amidst growing tensions with Orban's administration.
