In a video published on his Facebook page, Orban called on the population on Wednesday to support the law, which has been severely criticized by the EU. The English abbreviation LGBTQ stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer; Members of these sexual minorities are, from the point of view of critics in Hungary, discriminated against.
“Brussels has clearly attacked Hungary over the past few weeks because of the law,” said Orban. The controversial LGBTQ law banning “advertising” for homosexual and transsexuals came into force in early July. In Hungary, books on this subject now have to be labeled “Prohibited for under 18-year-olds” and films are no longer allowed to be broadcast during prime time.
The government’s officially declared goal is the protection of minors, and activists speak of a blow against the LGBTQ community. The EU launched infringement proceedings against Budapest last week in response to the law.
Europe will never allow “parts of our society to be discriminated,” said EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen. The Hungarian government condemned Brussels’ “attacks” on the law as “politically motivated”. There were protests by human rights activists and representatives of the LGBTQ community in Hungary against the entry into force of the law.
