No steps backward can be taken in the European Union regarding LGBTQ+ rights. This was stated by European Commissioner for Equality Hadja Lahbib on Friday in Budapest, on the eve of the Pride in the Hungarian capital, which has been banned by the regime of Viktor Orban. “We cannot remain passive on the sidelines,” said the Belgian.
– BELGA PHOTO DIRK WAEM
“Today it is the LGBTQ community, but tomorrow it could be anyone, for any reason and under any pretext. So we will not be fooled. History teaches us that there is always a good reason to discriminate,” said Lahbib, who held a press conference alongside Gergely Karacsony, the mayor of Budapest, who also supported the organization of the parade despite the ban.
Thousands of people are expected in the streets of Budapest on Saturday for what is anticipated to be the largest Pride in the country’s history. Many members of parliament and local officials will make an appearance to show their support for the movement.
Hadja Lahbib is the only representative of the European Commission on site. After a meeting with the mayor, she also has a discussion with civil society organizations on her agenda. She has also requested a meeting with the Hungarian Minister of Justice, but it is uncertain if that will happen. Her participation in the march on Saturday seemed to depend on that conversation.
“If I have an important meeting, I may not take to the streets, as that may not be my place, so we will see,” she said. She noted that about 70 Members of the European Parliament will participate in the parade. According to the parliament, around 130 staff members are also making the trip.
