The City Assembly of Budapest has convened against a backdrop of heightened tensions surrounding LGBTQ+ rights, marked notably by a demonstration advocating for Pride. Barabás Richárd, the leader of the Párbeszéd faction, took to the floor before the assembly’s agenda was addressed. In his speech, he declared, “I am gay, young, pro-peace, and a faction leader.” He emphasised the importance of the annual parade, despite opposition from Viktor Orbán, the Prime Minister, who has indicated a desire to prohibit the event.
In his recent annual review, Orbán outlined various tax benefits, including exemptions for mothers of two or more children and VAT refunds for pensioners, alongside a pronounced anti-LGBTQ agenda. He condemned the community in what appeared to be an escalating campaign against LGBTQ+ rights and civil society. Addressing a gathering at the event, Richárd expressed his sentiments of shame associated with the silence and judgement faced within himself, stating, “I send a message to the Prime Minister: you are cynical, harmful, and malicious. But I send a message to you, who are afraid: you are not alone because Budapest is diverse and accepting; it has been and will remain so.” He underscored that the parade serves as a space of equality and acceptance for the LGBTQ+ community.
Richárd presented a copy of Kurimay Anita’s book, Gay Budapest, to a colleague from Fidesz, symbolising solidarity among opposition voices. Following his remarks, support also came from Krisztina Baranyi, the mayor of the IX district, and Gergely Karácsony, the Budapest mayor, both of whom reinforced that all politicians in the capital should champion Pride. Baranyi asserted her confidence in the parade’s continuation, stating that it could only be banned under extreme circumstances, such as Hungary leaving the European Union, a scenario she deemed unlikely, even for Fidesz.
Fidesz representative Anna Szepesfalvy addressed Richárd with empathy regarding his experiences. However, she reaffirmed her party’s stance on resisting what they deem “LGBTQ propaganda,” arguing for the protection of children.
Tensions reached a peak when the assembly had to pause due to the disruptive entry of Bálint Szabó, a former representative from Szeged, who was escorted into the proceedings. Mayor Karácsony requested Szabó to leave the restricted area reserved for assembly representatives, referring to him as an “attention-seeking madman.” In light of the commotion, a break was called at the behest of the Fidesz members, and police were summoned. They arrived but did not intervene directly in the assembly’s proceedings, as Szabó vacated the area independently, allowing the meeting to resume.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://ket.brussels/2025/02/24/no-bans-no-silence-elma-supports-budapest-pride-against-hungarys-crackdown/ – This article supports the claim that Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has threatened to ban Budapest Pride and has an anti-LGBTQ agenda, which has sparked significant opposition.
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hungarian_anti-LGBTQ_law – This Wikipedia page explains Hungary’s anti-LGBTQ law, which prohibits the promotion of homosexuality among minors, aligning with Orbán’s stance against LGBTQ+ rights.
- https://www.rferl.org/a/budapest-hungary-pride-lgbt-orban/33005064.html – This article highlights the tensions surrounding LGBTQ+ rights in Hungary, including protests against Orbán’s policies and the annual Budapest Pride parade.
- https://www.noahwire.com – This source provides the original context for the City Assembly of Budapest’s discussion on LGBTQ+ rights and the Pride parade.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative appears to be recent, referencing ongoing political tensions and events in Budapest. However, specific dates or recent updates are not explicitly mentioned.
Quotes check
Score:
6
Notes:
Direct quotes are provided, but their earliest known references online could not be verified. The quotes seem original to this context but lack external validation.
Source reliability
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative originates from a Hungarian news outlet, which may have varying levels of credibility. However, it discusses real political figures and events, suggesting some reliability.
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
The claims about political tensions and LGBTQ+ issues in Budapest are plausible given the current political climate. However, specific details about future events or policy changes are speculative.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative seems recent and discusses plausible political tensions, but lacks external validation for quotes and specific details. The source reliability is moderate, and while the plausibility of the claims is high, some aspects cannot be fully verified.
