Referendum in Hungary: Orban puts LGBTQ law to the vote

Hungary’s Prime Minister Orban has announced a referendum on the controversial LGBTQ law targeting non-heterosexual people. In an appeal to the population, he called for support for the law.

Hungary’s right-wing conservative Prime Minister Viktor Orban wants to hold a referendum on the controversial LGBTQ law in his country. 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. “Brussels has clearly attacked Hungary over the past few weeks because of the law,” said Orban.

The English abbreviation LGBTQ stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer; Among other things, the law prohibits advertising in which homosexuals or transsexuals appear as part of normality. The EU Commission sees it as discriminatory and has taken steps against Hungary.

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 controversial LGBTQ law came into force in early July.

Accusation to the EU

Orban argues that the law ensures that parents alone can decide how they want to organize their children’s sexual upbringing. He accused the EU of demanding that activists from LGBTQ associations carry out sex education in Hungarian kindergartens and schools, “as is already the case in Western Europe”.

Orban listed five questions for the referendum: Whether the Hungarians are in favor of minors being sexually informed without the consent of their parents, whether gender reassignments can be advertised in children and whether sex reassignment activities can be carried out in children.

Ban on referendums lifted

It should also be asked whether children should have access to media reports that can influence their sexual development, as well as media reports about sex reassignment. Orban urged the Hungarians to “say no” to these five questions.

In order to be able to carry out the vote, the government had lifted the referendum ban that had previously been in force due to the corona pandemic a few hours before Orban’s announcement.

EU infringement proceedings pending

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 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.