Hungary Amends LGBTQ Law to Comply With EU Standards

The Hungarian government has submitted a bill to parliament seeking to amend its controversial anti-LGBTQ legislation for minors, bringing the law in line with European Union standards.

The legislation, introduced in 2021 under former Prime Minister Viktor Orban, prohibited the “promotion of homosexuality” to people under the age of 18. The law was also later used as a legal basis for banning Pride marches in the country.

Under the proposed amendment, references to the “promotion” or “display” of homosexuality and gender transition to minors would be removed. Instead, the law would focus on materials considered capable of seriously harming a child’s physical, intellectual, emotional or moral development.

Prime Minister Peter Magyar, who defeated Orban in April after his 16-year rule, said the amended rules would apply regardless of sexual orientation and would bring Hungary into compliance with EU regulations.

Magyar said his government would maintain a strict position against media content accessible to minors that promotes sexual violence, manipulation or exploitation.

The move follows an April ruling by the European Court of Justice, which found that Hungary’s LGBTQ law violated fundamental principles of the European Union.

Following the ruling, Hungarian authorities authorised Pride marches this year, reversing restrictions imposed under Orban’s government.

The government is also considering changes to a 2020 adoption law that restricted adoption to married couples, a measure that had effectively prevented same-sex couples from adopting children.

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