1. Political Context and Purpose of the Campaign
In 2022, we marched boldly through Budapest in a Dyke March, defying oppression and standing proud as lesbians, as activists, as a community. Today, as the Orbán government escalates its attack on fundamental freedoms by attempting to ban Pride altogether, we rise once again—in solidarity with our Hungarian sisters and in defence of the right to protest, to exist, and to resist.
On 18 March 2025, the Hungarian government passed a law banning Pride marches and all public LGBTIQ+ demonstrations. This new ban builds on Hungary’s 2021 “Child Protection Law,” which prohibits access to any content portraying homosexuality or trans identities. The ban on Budapest Pride is not an isolated incident—it is the direct result of this law’s latest amendment. This goes beyond censorship: it is a political assault on our bodies, our voices, and our collective power.
While the European Commission has issued symbolic statements, it has yet to take decisive legal action. On May 17, IDAHOT Day, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated:
“We reaffirm our commitment to a Europe where everyone is free to love and live without fear. Where you can simply be yourself.”
But declarations are not enough. Budapest Pride is scheduled for June 28—and no legal measures have been taken to date. As Viki Radványi, Chair of Budapest Pride, warned:
“What is really alarming is that we have not seen the Commission take any legal action in two months.”
Meanwhile, on 5 June 2025, Advocate General Tamara Ćapeta of the Court of Justice of the EU issued a powerful legal opinion: Hungary’s 2021 law violates EU law. While non-binding, such opinions strongly influence the Court’s final rulings and highlight the urgent need for enforcement of fundamental rights within the Union.
Even EU Member States have already called for action. Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden have issued a joint diplomatic statement condemning Hungary’s anti-LGBTIQ+ legislation and urging the European Commission to act.
On June 16, despite the hostile legal landscape, the Mayor of Budapest, Gergely Karácsony, has taken a bold and symbolic step to protect the Pride March. He announced that the city would officially organise Budapest Pride as a municipal event—a celebration of freedom and solidarity—thus bypassing the national legislation that enables the police to ban LGBTIQ+ demonstrations. This breakthrough was made possible thanks to the tireless advocacy work of the Budapest Pride organisers, who refused to accept the ban and pushed for institutional support. By framing Pride as a city-led event, the Mayor ensured that “no permits from authorities are needed” and reaffirmed that neither love nor freedom can be banned in Budapest. This move provides critical political cover to organisers and participants, allowing the 30th Budapest Pride to proceed. However, this municipal safeguard does not reverse the national-level repression, nor does it diminish the urgent need for decisive action at the European level.
The Commission must stop hesitating and start using its legal powers. Inaction now sets a dangerous precedent—one that enables other authoritarian governments to follow Hungary’s lead.
Because when one of us is under attack, we all are. And no matter how hard they try—our movement cannot be banned.
2. Objectives
This campaign, “Lesbians support Budapest Pride. A movement cannot be banned” is EL*C’s response. A political, visual, and transnational act of resistance to
- Show unwavering solidarity with Hungarian lesbians*.
- Expose and denounce the Orban government’s attempt to ban Pride.
- Demand concrete legal action from the European Commission regarding the attempted Pride ban, a clear violation of EU fundamental values.
- Encourage collective mobilization, both in person and online, to stand in solidarity with our sisters.
- Amplify the unstoppable force of our community.
- Amplify EL*C’s political presence on-site and online.
- Visually represent collective resistance using a “solidarity template” image.
3. Key Campaign Elements
Duration: June 17–28, 2025
Platforms: Instagram, Facebook, BlueSky, Threads, TikTok
Lesbians support Budapest Pride
A movement cannot be banned
Campaign dates: split into two phases — 17–22 and 26–28 June 2025.
Organised by: EuroCentralAsian Lesbian* Community (EL*C)
Main Hashtag: #SupportBudapestPride
4. How to Join the Campaign
Organizations and individuals are invited to participate in the campaign through the following actions:
a. Share the Solidarity Visual
Download the official visual template “Lesbians Support Budapest Pride. A movement cannot be banned”.
Add your logo or photo and publish it on your platforms using the hashtag:
# SupportBudapestPride and tag @elc_lesbiancommunity. We will share your video on our stories.
b. Disseminate the Political Message
Use our captions or draft your own in support of Budapest Pride. The most important is to show your solidarity with our lesbian sisters.
c. Publish a Video Statement
Record a short video (5–10 seconds) saying:
“I stand with Budapest Pride”
Post it using the campaign hashtag (#SupportBudapestPride) and tag @elc_lesbiancommunity. We will share your video on our stories.
d. Engage Your Network
Encourage lesbian allied organizations, collectives and communities to endorse and join the campaign.
5. Campaign Timeline (Summary)
Phase 1: Digital Solidarity (17–22 June)
- Launch of campaign visuals and political messages
- Daily posts across platforms
- Solidarity videos and NGO mobilization
Phase 2: On-the-Ground Action (26–28 June)
- Presence of EL*C team in Budapest
- Real-time updates from the streets
- Visual documentation and collective participation in Pride
6. Campaign Demands
The EuroCentralAsian Lesbian* Community joins civil society organizations across Europe and Central Asia in calling on the European Union to:
- Condemn the Hungarian government’s actions and take legal steps to stop the political instrumentalisation of fundamental rights such as freedom of assembly and demonstration. The EU must not tolerate authoritarian tactics that undermine democracy;
- Enforce EU fundamental rights.
