Wednesday July 21, 2021
After sharp criticism from Brussels
Orban lets people vote on LGBTQ law
Now the Hungarian population is about to vote on the controversial LGBTQ law in the country. This is what Prime Minister Orban announced. He is reacting to the sharp criticism from Brussels of the law.
Hungary’s right-wing conservative Prime Minister Viktor Orban has announced a referendum on the controversial LGBTQ law in his country – thereby challenging Brussels. In a video published on his Facebook page, Orban called on the population to support the law, which has been severely criticized by the EU. The English abbreviation LGBTQ stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer. Critics in Hungary see members of these sexual minorities as being discriminated against.
“Brussels has clearly attacked Hungary over the past few weeks because of the law,” said Orban. The controversial LGBTQ law banning “advertising” for homosexual and transsexuality came into force in early July. Books on this subject must now be labeled in Hungary with the notice “Prohibited for under 18-year-olds”, films are no longer allowed to be broadcast during prime time.
The government’s officially declared goal is the protection of minors. Activists, on the other hand, speak of a blow against the LGBTQ community. The EU launched infringement proceedings against Budapest last week in response to the law. Europe will never allow “parts of our society to be discriminated against,” said EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen.
The Hungarian government, in turn, condemned Brussels’ “attacks” on the law as “politically motivated”. There were protests by human rights activists and representatives of the LGBTQ community in Hungary against the entry into force of the law.
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