The Hungarian law, which is supposed to forbid “advertising” for homosexuality, has been sharply criticized by many heads of state and government in the European Union. Prime Minister Viktor Orban defends himself against the criticism. He “defends the rights of homosexuals”.
Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban has rejected other EU states’ criticism of a law restricting information about homosexual and transsexuality. The critics have apparently not read the law, Orban said on Thursday at the EU summit in Brussels. It is not directed against homosexuals, but gives parents the “exclusive right to the sex education of their children”. He defends homosexual rights, Orban said. He personally has nothing against gays and lesbians, on the contrary: “I was a freedom fighter under the communist regime,” said the politician in Brussels. “I defend homosexual rights.”
Orban accused the critics in Germany and other EU countries of not reading the law correctly. He has also ruled out a withdrawal of the controversial law. The law was already promulgated and in effect, he said.
Rights restricted for LGBTQ people in Hungary
Orban himself said in a stern interview from February on the question “What if one of your children came to you and came out as homosexual?”: “That would be a great challenge, but God has been asking us this question so far not confronted. My wife and I would of course always love our children regardless of their inclination. ”
Since Orban became Prime Minister of Hungary in 2010, the legal situation for LGBTQ people has deteriorated. While there are some anti-discrimination laws in place and homosexual men have been allowed to do so since 2020, without restriction. However, there are drastic laws: for example, family protection has only been limited to married heterosexual couples with children. Registered civil partnerships are possible in Hungary, but marriage is only withheld from heterosexual couples. This took place on January 1, 2012.
“I took an oath on the constitution, and it is clear that the family consists of women and men. Incidentally, that is not intolerant,” Orban said in an interview with Stern. Orban also welcomed the in Budapest in 2017. The WCF is an American organization that campaigns against same-sex marriages and abortion, among other things.
49 percent of Hungarians for equal rights for homosexuals and bisexuals
The Hungarian parliament also passed im which prohibits the official recognition of the desired gender identity of trans people and intersex people. According to this, the sex must be determined at birth on the basis of biological sex characteristics and the chromosomes and cannot be changed later.
In December 2020, parliament passed a law banning lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex people the right to adopt. In addition, constitutional amendments were introduced that stipulate that “the mother is a woman and the father is a man,” as writes.
On the other hand, according to one, 49 percent of Hungarians are in favor of equal rights for homosexuals and bisexuals and 39 percent of those surveyed said that same-sex marriages should be allowed across Europe. 34 percent said they would have no problem with a gay couple kissing in public, for example.
“Educating children is the sovereign responsibility of parents”
The law approved by the Hungarian parliament last week includes a ban on books, films and other media that are accessible to children and young people and that depict sexuality that differs from heterosexual ones. In addition, it bans advertising in which homosexuals or transsexuals appear as part of normalcy.
In an interview with stern in February, Orban said: “The education of children is the sovereign task of parents, toddlers in kindergartens and lower school classes should not be exposed to sexual propaganda, so that they can develop their path and their sexual identity freely and without interference. ” Most of the people in Hungary agree with what he said. “We are tolerant, but our children have to be able to develop in peace.”
The EU Commission and numerous other EU countries are of the opinion that the law discriminates against people on the basis of their sexual orientation. That is why it should also be discussed at the EU summit.
EU states criticize Hungary
Before the summit, 17 EU states including Germany asked the EU Commission to take immediate action against the controversial Hungarian law. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen then called it a “shame” and announced that she would use all legal means at her disposal. According to an EU representative, several heads of state and government want to address the controversial law at the summit.
The Luxembourg Prime Minister Xavier Bettel called on the EU on the sidelines of the Brussels summit to increase the “pressure” on Hungary. The European Union is not only about subsidies, but also about values and fundamental rights. Bettel lives openly as a gay himself and married his partner in 2015 when he was already head of government.
“If anyone thinks that someone has become gay because of an advertisement, a book or a film, they don’t understand life,” said Bettel. The law also improperly mixes homosexuality with pedophilia and pornography.
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