The new legal rule appeared in the Hungarian Official Gazette on Friday evening. It regulates the implementation of a controversial law that forbids providing information about homosexuality, transsexuality and sex reassignment to people under the age of 18. The parliament, dominated by Orban’s right-wing national Fidesz party, approved the law in June.
According to the new regulation, children’s books that “depict deviations from the gender identity or gender reassignment or self-endowing sexuality received at birth, and depict or popularize homosexuality” may not be shown in bookstore displays or visible to all in the shops. In addition, such “offensive” books may not be sold within 200 meters of schools or churches.
In addition, they must be offered in packaging through which the envelope cannot be identified. The 200 meter rule is reminiscent of Hungarian prostitution legislation. Sex workers are prohibited from offering their services within 200 meters of schools and churches.
The ordinance will come into force in 30 days. The underlying law provides, among other things, for a ban on books, films and other content carriers that are accessible to children and young people and in which sexuality is presented that differs from heterosexual. In addition, it bans advertising in which homosexuals or transsexuals appear as part of normalcy.
The law was heavily criticized at home and abroad. The EU Commission initiated infringement proceedings. Critics brought it close to open censorship.