Authorities in Pécs, Hungary, prohibit the annual Pride Parade from taking place this year.
In the heart of Hungary, the annual Pécs Pride parade has become a significant event for the LGBTQ+ community and their supporters. However, this year's event, scheduled for October 4, has faced a setback as the Pécs Police has banned the parade.
The organizer of the Pécs Pride parade, the Divers Youth Network, has announced that they will maintain the call for the parade, despite the ban. They have emphasized that the parade will go on as planned, reaffirming their commitment to standing together for freedom, human dignity, and each other.
This is not the first time such a ban has been imposed. In 2021, the Budapest Pride parade was banned, but it was held anyway, with municipal authorities and organizers potentially facing prison sentences. The Pécs Pride parade, being the only rural city Pride parade in Hungary, holds a unique significance for the community.
The ultra-conservative government of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has launched a campaign against LGBTQ+ events, arguing for the ban under the pretense of "protection of minors." This stance has received criticism from the EU and other European countries.
The organizer of the Pécs Pride parade has stated that they refuse to be silenced, intimidated, or have their rights trampled on. They have declared that they will not yield to fear, and have emphasized that the parade is a celebration of visibility, rights, and freedom.
The 2025 Pécs Pride parade is part of the Identity Festival, marking the fifth time it will be held in Pécs. Despite the ongoing ban, the latest known approval for a Pride Parade in Pécs was for the planned event on October 4, 2024, indicating ongoing resistance efforts in Hungary.
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