Historic Pride in Pécs

Unprecedented Turnout Despite Official Ban

On October 4, the streets of Pécs in southern Hungary witnessed a Pride March of historic scale, drawing between 7,000 and 8,000 attendees according to Agence France-Presse (AFP). This record-breaking turnout represented a dramatic increase—nearly a sevenfold surge—compared to previous editions. Remarkably, this event took place despite a government-imposed ban confirmed by Hungary’s Supreme Court on September 15.

Following the massive success of the Budapest Pride in June, which saw over 200,000 participants, the Pécs march sent a powerful new message to the Hungarian authorities. Under the leadership of ultra-conservative Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, whose administration has institutionalized discrimination against LGBTQI+ individuals, a growing number of civilians are stepping up to show resistance and solidarity.

A Tense but Peaceful Atmosphere

In the days leading up to the event, LGBTQI+ activists voiced concerns about potential police repression, particularly due to the significantly lower international media attention compared to Budapest. “There is little global focus here—this is exactly why I came. Hungary has become Russia’s Trojan horse within the EU, weaponizing LGBTQ phobia to undermine democratic values,” wrote Rémy Bonny, executive director of the European advocacy group Forbidden Colours, on Instagram the day before the march.

On the ground, participants were acutely aware of the stakes. “This protest is no longer only about the LGBTQ community—it’s about our fundamental human rights,” said Vencel Toth, an 18-year-old student, as quoted by AFP. The event drew support far beyond the LGBTQI+ demographic, with many allies joining the cause. “We’re here to defend our basic freedoms,” shared Edit Sinko, a 58-year-old teacher and psychologist, who described herself as an ally moved to act as both a friend and educator.

Strategic Workarounds Amid Repressive Laws

As of April, Hungary’s constitution contains explicit anti-LGBTQI+ provisions, including a ban on same-sex marriage, the non-recognition of transgender identities, and the prohibition of any public expression deemed to “promote” homosexuality or gender transition. Though these measures previously existed under ordinary law, their elevation to constitutional status has significantly hardened the government’s stance.

In June, Budapest Mayor Gergely Karácsony sidestepped the restrictions by framing the Pride event as a “cultural festival.” In Pécs, organizers adopted a different approach, registering the march as a “protest against the overpopulation of wild animals,” which they claimed are the cause and victims of numerous traffic accidents, said human rights lawyer and activist Peter Heindl. This clever reclassification allowed the march to proceed within legal boundaries.

Growing Momentum in a Traditionally Quiet City

Since 2021, Pécs has been Hungary’s second city to host a Pride event. However, previous turnouts stayed around 1,000 participants. This year’s massive increase marks a societal shift. Demonstrators carried signs reading “Hungary is a dictatorship” and “Pride gets punished, pedophiles get rewarded,” expressing public outrage against policies widely perceived as repressive and hypocritical.

A small group of counter-protesters attempted to disrupt the march but failed to halt its progress. The demonstration concluded without any major incidents, providing a hopeful precedent for future mobilizations.

European Support Amid Authoritarian Drift

As Hungary continues to face accusations of democratic backsliding, the European Commission has taken decisive action. It launched legal proceedings against Viktor Orbán’s anti-LGBTQI+ legislation and has frozen €18 billion in EU funds due to repeated violations of core European values. The case is currently under review by the European Court of Justice, with a ruling expected soon.

Meanwhile, symbolic gestures have reinforced international solidarity. Hadja Lahbib, European Commissioner for Equality, recently praised Viktoria Radvanyi—chair of Budapest Pride—who was named among Time magazine’s “100 Next” honorees. It’s a powerful political endorsement of Hungary’s LGBTQI+ movement and a direct signal to Orbán’s administration that its policies are under increasing scrutiny, both at home and abroad.