Hungary’s parliament recently passed an amendment to the constitution that allows the government to ban public events by LGBTQ communities, a move critics see as a step towards authoritarianism. The amendment, proposed by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s ruling coalition, prioritizes children’s rights over the right to assemble, and prohibits the depiction of homosexuality to minors. It also codifies a law banning LGBTQ events and allows the use of facial recognition to identify attendees. Opposition lawmakers attempted to disrupt the vote, arguing that the government is dismantling democracy and the rule of law.
The amendment also specifies that the constitution recognizes only two sexes, male and female, which critics say discriminates against transgender and intersex individuals. The government argues that the changes are based on biological reality and aim to protect children from what it calls “woke ideology” and “gender madness.” The amendment is part of a larger campaign against LGBTQ communities and foreign influence in Hungarian politics, with Orbán cracking down on media outlets and civil rights groups.
The amendment also allows for the suspension of citizenship for Hungarians with dual citizenship deemed to pose a threat to public security. Orbán has been accused of accelerating efforts to silence critics and consolidate power ahead of elections in 2026. Critics argue that the measures do little to protect children and are being used to distract from more serious issues facing the country. The amendment is the 15th change to Hungary’s constitution since Orbán’s party came to power in 2011, sparking concerns about the country’s slide towards authoritarianism.
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