The harsh answer of America to the Hungarian homophobic law
The reaction from the USA arrived quite quickly after the package of bills mixing paedophiles and homosexuals on the same criminal level was voted in the Hungarian Parliament.
One of the most controversial laws of the past years was accepted in the Hungarian Parliament by 157 representatives. The law, which was originally created against paedophiles in order to protect children better, received some modifications that practically turned it into a homophobic package of decisions.
Already the news of the possibility of passing this modified and very distorted bill caused many people to raise their voice, which ended in a mass protest on Monday afternoon in front of the Parliament.
Furthermore, it is not only Hungarian citizens and almost the complete opposition (except for the radical, rightist party of Jobbik) that found the decision shocking, unacceptable and outrageous. The international response and reaction arrived quicker than ever.
Some of the most prominent American production companies expressed their solidarity with RTL Klub Hungary’s statement issued on Monday. According to the TV channel,
the decision that stigmatises homosexuality and discriminates against its representatives in the media violates the right to the freedom of expression.
As telex.hu writes, the free-to-air television channel and its opinion are
backed by huge names of the media, such as HBO, AMC, WarnerMedia and ViacomCBS. Even A+E networks UK joined the statement.
The privately-owned heavyweights of the sector were not the only ones from the States who had something to say about the decision. Apart from Hungarian media companies, civil organisations and representatives of the European Parliament,
even the US Embassy felt the need to comment.
The US Embassy to Budapest posted a little public letter on their Facebook page, expressing their deep concerns for the anti-LGBTQ+ aspects of the bill and quoting President Biden’s words ensuring those who are part of this community that they are seen, they are supported and that their courage to accept nothing less than equality inspires everyone.
The USA stands for the idea that governments should protect human rights, including that of LGBTQ+ people.
US Vice President Kamala Harris even participated in Washington’s Pride March last week, wearing a T-shirt that said “Live is love”, thus becoming the first-ever Vice President to participate in the event.
If the bill’s passing causes such a harsh international reaction, then why did the Hungarian Parliament accept it in the first place? It was very much expected that this would happen, based on the past decades’ intensive fights and demonstrations for equal human rights all over the world. The answer is relatively simple. The Hungarian government knew exactly what it was doing; it was a conscious decision.
The reason behind it is to simply create a kind of hostile environment in the country between those who stand for and those who stand against this bill. On the one hand, the law stigmatising homosexuals or anyone part of the LGBTQ+ community can create a sense of fear in these people. On the other hand, a pretty big group of Hungarian citizens, primarily those living in smaller towns or tiny villages, who have been the base of voters for the government during the past years, will once again feel like they belong together, they have the same ideas and same values. But most importantly, as history has shown on many occasions, hatred and discrimination can very well bring a certain group of people together to fight for their either legitimate or delusional ideas. Especially if the country is right before the Parliamentary election of 2022.
Source: telex.hu, dailynewshungary.com, Facebook