Demonstrators gathered in front of the Hungarian Embassy in Berlin on Saturday, 17 May, to protest Hungary’s recent legislation banning Pride events and to show solidarity with the LGBTIQ+ community in Hungary.
The “Berlin ❤️ Budapest: Together for Human Rights” rally, organized by the Freie Ungarische Botschaft with support from Campact, brought together human rights activists, politicians, and concerned citizens on the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT).
The event opened with powerful artistic performances by Mátyás Tóth and Panni Néder, setting a tone of resilience and solidarity that carried throughout the demonstration.
Protesters held rainbow flags and signs reading “Queere Rechte sind Menschenrechte” (Queer Rights are Human Rights) and “EU: Stop Orbán’s Hate Laws!” as they demanded immediate action from the European Commission.
“The European Commission and the German government have a responsibility to protect fundamental rights for all citizens throughout the Union,” said Dániel Fehér of the Free Hungarian Embassy. “European values are non-negotiable and must be defended everywhere. Today’s demonstration shows that solidarity knows no borders.”
“The Hungarian government has failed again. The economy is in ruins, one corruption scandal among the Fidesz elite follows another, the missing EU funds are more painful than ever,” explained Péter Adamik, who moderated the event. “They fear freedom, diversity, solidarity, and true democracy.”
The rally featured greeting messages from Viktória Radványi, Chair of Budapest Pride, and Gergely Karácsony, Mayor of Budapest, who called on the international community to support the 30th anniversary of Budapest Pride scheduled for June 28.
In an emotional appeal, trans activist Léna Hoschek emphasized that the queer and trans community must not lose hope and are not fighting alone. To the Hungarian government they sent a defiant message: united through solidarity, the community remains stronger than any campaign of hate.
Contributions from Eric Jödicke of LSVD+ Bundesverband and Marcel Voges of Berliner CSD emphasized the importance of transnational solidarity in the fight for human rights and demonstrated the broad support among German LGBTIQ+ organizations.
The main focus of the rally was to inform supporters from Germany who are considering to attend Budapest Pride on June 28. A prominent rainbow-colored bus with the sign “Next stop: Budapest Pride” served as the central visual element of the demonstration. Organizers distributed “travel prospects” containing practical information for anyone wishing to travel to Budapest to support Pride.
“This defiant gathering shows that attacks on fundamental rights in one EU member state concern all Europeans,” said Sára Szedlár, activist of the Freie Ungarische Botschaft. “The impressive turnout confirms that citizens expect their governments to protect European values.”
The event concluded with a moving poetry reading by Hungarian poet Mátyás Dunajcsik, whose words captured the spirit of resistance and hope that characterized the demonstration.
The event also supported a petition urging the German government and EU institutions to take concrete steps against Hungary’s violations of freedom of assembly. The petition, which had been launched before the rally, had already reached 78,000 signatures at the start of the event.
More information about upcoming solidarity actions and the petition can be found here.
Photos: Lonsky / Campact (see more photos of the event here)