“I came out and proud”- 3rd Pride Parade in Pécs
1,000 police officers, 600 participants, 50 streets closed in the city – the 3rd Pride Parade under the motto “Open, Free, Happy” organised by Diverse Youth Network took place on Saturday in Pécs. The event was the culmination of the Freedom of My Identity Human Rights festival. It is the only LGBTQ+ parade that happens outside of Budapest in Hungary.
Decorated with pro-LGBTQ+slogans, cars led the march in the rhythm of popular pop songs followed by enthusiastic crowds of people. The parade started at 2 PM from Tettye Square and came to a climax on Square 48. Due to bad weather conditions, only 500 people took part in the event, despite the fact that organisers expected thousands. However, the march was still called a success. “Shade never made anybody less gay”, “Break free” and “Love is equal” were just some of the phrases inscribed onto banners during the parade.
A round of support speeches was started by the Dutch ambassador to Hungary Désirée Bonis who stressed that “the sad truth is that across Hungary, including in Pécs, LGBTQ+ people and the values they stand for remain under attack. We are witnessing a pushback on equal rights of LGBTQ+ persons and gender equality. This is why during the past few years, the European Commission has dropped several Hungarian anti-LGBTQ+ policies before the European Court of Justice”.
Student rights activist Lili Pankotai underlined the problem of the current system from which stem “all these deprivations of rights”. Founder of “Szabad szívekért mozgalom” (“Movement for Free Hearts”), which supports LGBTQ+ teenagers, Mónika Molnár read a letter of complaint about hate against queer people in which the question that stands out is
“Why do people put so much energy into hating others that they have no energy left for their own happiness?”
The last speaker and a former student of Pécs University, Mithil Barath, expressed his gratitude to the city which “has given him the courage to come out and proud”.
U.S. ambassador to Hungary David Pressman was also present during the event. He visited Hungarian Catholics and Muslims to show his support for religious freedom and fundamental rights.
Just like other times, the counter-demonstration under the name “Hundreds of thousands against Pécs Pride” organised by Mi Hazánk took place at the same time. The Facebook event tried to encourage users to take part in it with the words: “Join us if you want to protect your children, your family and your traditional values”. Contrary to the event name, only around 10 people showed up to voice their dissatisfaction.
In summary, the third annual Pride celebration in Pécs showed support for LGBTQ+ rights which are constantly under attack in Hungary. The event highlighted the courage of the community and their allies.
Author: Martyna Rejczak
Source: Guest author: Martyna Rejczak