We Stand Strong With Budapest Pride
The 30th Budapest Pride is a historic milestone for LGBTIQ+ rights in Central and Eastern Europe. As the first Pride march in the region, it has been a beacon of hope and progress for three decades.
On March 18, 2025, the Hungarian parliament passed a law restricting freedom of assembly and effectively banning Pride events. The law also authorizes surveillance of demonstrators using facial recognition technology and imposes fines on participants.
The LGBTIQ+ community has existed since the beginning of humanity: we have been here longer and will remain longer than politicians in suits who campaign with exclusion. This attack on freedom of assembly affects all of Europe.
Viktória Radványi, Chair of Budapest Pride
Europe Must Act Now
Our petition Act Against Orbán’s Pride Ban addresses German and European politicians with three key demands:
- Clear diplomatic consequences for Hungary
- Protection of fundamental rights in the EU
- Solidarity with the Hungarian LGBTIQ+ community
What Is Happening in Budapest
Budapest Pride is determined to mark its 30th anniversary this June. Their slogan this year is „We Are Here” – a powerful statement against attempts to silence and erase LGBTIQ+ people from public life. Key events are:
- Budapest Pride Community Festival (June 6–29): 70+ events across the country.
- International Human Rights Conference (June 25–27): Held at Central European University (CEU).
- Budapest Pride March (June 28): The march begins in central Budapest – expect tens of thousands.
- Rainbow Party (June 28): Hungary’s biggest LGBTQ party, the official Budapest Pride afterparty and a fundraiser for the march.
The organisers have also issued a call for international guests to participate in the events, including the Pride March on 28 June.
Budapest Pride cannot be banned. Because freedom and love cannot be banned. If Pride can be banned in an EU member state, then no one is safe in the EU. Mark your calendars: the 28 of June is Budapest Pride. You are all invited to Budapest. Let Budapest Pride be a celebration of European unity, freedom, and solidarity!
Gergely Karácsony, Mayor of Budapest
Pride Ride: With Soli-Bus from Berlin to Budapest
The initiative „Soli-Bus” is organising a bus ride from Berlin to Budapest Pride (26-29 June). Participation fee is 50€, which also includes two nights in a central Budapest hostel. Further info and registration via this mail address:
Is it safe? Information for International Guests
The Budapest Pride has prepared comprehensive information for international supporters who wish to stand in solidarity with the Hungarian LGBTIQ+ community, including legal and safety considerations.
- The Hungarian government’s restriction on freedom of assembly allows the police to ban the Pride march.
- The police may use facial recognition techniques to identify participants (that works only with persons who are or have been citizens of or legal residents in Hungary).
- Financial penalties for attending a banned event range from 16 EUR to 500 EUR.
- These penalties cannot be commuted to imprisonment or community service.
- Penalties will not appear in participants’ certificate of good conduct.
- It is highly unlikely that the Hungarian police will have the capacity of identifying a large number of attendees. In the case of international participants, the Hungarian tax office would need the full co-operation of the person’s home country’s authorities to collect the fine.
International media will be present at Budapest Pride. This is an incredible advocacy opportunity for the Hungarian LGBTIQ+ movement to show that the 2025 Budapest Pride is not just about Hungarians, it is about the future of the European Union.
Legal Q&A
The Hungarian Helsinki Committee, the Hungarian Civil Liberties Union (TASZ) and the Streetlawyer Association (Utcajogász) teamed up to answer questions from people considering to attend Budapest Pride on 28 June. Their most important message: the more people attend Pride, the less risky it becomes for everyone.
Read their Q&A – with a specific section for foreign citizens – to prepare for possible outcomes!
The Freie Ungarische Botschaft, supported by Campact, is working with German and Hungarian human rights and LGTBIQ+ organisations to create a fund that supports international attendees’ legal costs or potential fines.