This year’s 30th Budapest Pride March and the preceding International Human Rights Conference — organized in support of LGBTQ+ equality — will see a record number of international guests in attendance.
More than 30 countries will be represented at Budapest Pride by political and civil society leaders advocating for equality. Together, they will speak out in support of human rights and democratic values: freedom cannot be banned — and neither can Pride.
The main message of this anniversary Pride is: “We are (at) home!” We are at home in Hungary, and we are at home in Europe. Cross-border solidarity sends a powerful signal: Europe has not forgotten about Hungary. There are many who care deeply about seeing Hungarians live once again in democracy and under the rule of law.
Confirmed participants include:
– Hadja Lahbib, EU Commissioner for Equality
– Ernest Urtasun, Minister of Culture of Spain
– Eppo Bruins, Dutch Minister of Education, Culture and Sport
– Mariëlle Paul, State Secretary for Primary and Secondary Education and Equal Opportunities, Netherlands
– Michael O’Flaherty, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights
– Graeme Reid, UN Independent Expert on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
– Leo Varadkar, former Prime Minister of Ireland
– Elio Di Rupo, former Prime Minister of Belgium
as well as Femke Halsema, Mayor of Amsterdam, and Philippe Close, Mayor of Brussels.
On June 28, more than 70 Members of the European Parliament will march alongside national MPs, deputy mayors, local government representatives, human rights defenders, and allies from all around the world, to raise their voices together for the freedom and dignity of the LGBTQ+ community in Hungary.
The list of participating countries continues to grow and currently includes: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Colombia, Denmark, Estonia, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Kenya, Kosovo, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Moldova, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom.
This year’s Budapest Pride is not just a celebration — it is also a powerful international statement: there is no place in Europe for LGBTQ+ exclusion or for the erosion of the right to assembly and freedom of expression.
“In our letter-writing campaign, we sent over 14,000 letters to members of the European Commission inviting them to Budapest. We are thrilled to announce that our efforts have already borne fruit: Hadja Lahbib, EU Commissioner for Equality, will attend the celebratory events of the 30th Budapest Pride,” said Máté Hegedűs, spokesperson for Budapest Pride.
This unprecedented international turnout sends a clear message that the illegal restriction of fundamental freedoms will never go unanswered.
“This is a strong signal from all corners of Europe to Hungary’s LGBTQ+ community: You are not alone! We hear you, we see the injustices you face, we feel your pain — and we will not turn away. We are coming to Budapest to march with you on June 28 at the largest Pride in Hungary’s history!” said Viktória Radványi, President of Budapest Pride.
Translated by Viki
