Hungary Sending a "Gays Not Wanted" Message

While more and more nations and cities seem to want to welcome the pink tourism dollar (for God's sake, even generally reactionary Richmond, Virginia has launched a LGBT tourism page), the nation of Hungary seems hell bent to chase away gays. Not only has a pride event been banned in Budapest for the lame excuse of traffic disruption, but anti-gay legislation seems to be advancing even in the face of what would appear to be an open violation of European Union requirements concerning equality for all citizens. Indeed. one would think that NOM or FRC were guiding legislative policy in the country. With plenty of LGBT friendly nations to visit in Europe, Hungary would seem to be a country to avoid when planning one's itinerary. Here are some highlights from Pink Paper on the backward slide that seems to be occurring:
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Police in Budapest banned the 2011 lesbian and gay Pride March, yesterday – because it would hinder the flow of traffic. The event, scheduled for 18 June, is considered the highlight of the gay calendar. Now, ILGA-Europe claim the decision is a clear breach of the right of freedom and assembly.
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Peaceful LGBTI Pride Marches have taken place in Budapest for several years. However, during the last few years the participants of Budapest Pride March experienced attacks by nationalist and right wing extremists.
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The European Court of Human Rights made it clear that gay people are equally entitled to the right to peaceful assembly and expression and that the state and the police have a positive obligation to protect queer public events from violent attacks by the opponents.
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The ban on Pride March adds to our concerns with the deteriorating situation for LGBTI in Hungary. Currently there is a proposal to amend the country’s Constitution to limit the scope of marriage to one man and one woman with the effect of banning the possibility of a future opening of marriage to same-sex couples.
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Moreover, a draft media law is currently being revised after heavy criticism from the EU aimed to prevent among other things same-sex affections in the media. We believe that represents dangerous signal not only to gay people in Hungary, but also across the EU. We call upon EU institutions and member states to remind Hungary of its duties and about the EU fundamental principles of equality, non-discrimination and respect for human rights for all.”