Hungary passes constitutional modifications concentrating on LGBTQ rights

Hungarian lawmakers on Monday voted to approve new constitutional changes proposed by the populist ruling party that target the LGBTQ community, including by codifying into law a ban on Pride events, and a provision proclaiming that people can only be male or female.

The amendments had always been expected to easily pass due to leader Viktor Orban’s Fidesz party’s two-thirds majority, along with the likely support of far-right lawmakers.

Some of Monday’s amendments underpin legislation passed on March 18 that banned the annual Pride march in the country, which effectively restricted freedom of assembly.

The ban triggered protests against the changes fast-tracked by the Fidesz party, who said the event could be considered as harmful to children and protecting them would supersede the right to assemble.

“We won’t let woke ideology endanger our kids,” Orban said in March as he defended the move. 

The amendments also codify “children’s rights” for their “proper physical, mental and moral development take precedence over all other fundamental rights,” except the right to life.

“Normal people like us are under constant provocation, because people who live according to non-traditional sexual behavior…. let off steam on the streets,” Orban had added in response to public protest over the amendments.