The first-ever Pride in the Hungarian countryside to be held in 2021!
Due to the coronavirus pandemic that has struck the world unprepared, many programs and festivals had to be cancelled last year, and this Summer will still not be the same as it was pre-pandemic. That being said, the first Pride in Hungary outside of Budapest will finally be held this year.
According to Telex, the idea of the Pécs Pride march came into existence back in 2019 and would have been held last year. Still, due to the restrictions imposed by the government in response to the emergence of the coronavirus pandemic, no events were allowed that could attract the masses.
Thanks to the relatively large number of vaccinated people in Hungary and the low infection numbers, the Summer of 2021 could finally be somewhat similar to what it was before the pandemic.
According to Hvg, while the one month long Budapest Pride has already started with programs and will culminate in a march on July 24th, the first-ever Pride march outside of the Hungarian capital will only be held on September 18th. The organisers targeted Pécs with this special march, because the Diverse Youth Network non-governmental organisation said that
“Pécs is much more accepting than many other (rural) cities in Hungary”.
On the Facebook page of the Pécs Pride event, the organisers also said that this event is important for two things:
“Pécs Pride 2021 is both a human rights demonstration and a day of celebration. We are demonstrating for the equal rights all people deserve, and we are celebrating our bravery and daringness to be ourselves even in the current situation!”.
Recently, the Hungarian government has passed a law that aimed to protect children and to impose harsher punishment on paedophiles. The law has sparked significant controversy, and many have demonstrated their disapproval. You can find out why many people have nicknamed the law at issue the “homophobic law” HERE.
Also, since then, the international media has observed Hungary with watchful eyes and have expressed their opinions on the law. If you did not follow the recent events, you can get information from the following articles:
Everything you need to know about the new Hungarian “homophobic” law
The Allianz Arena might be welcoming the Hungarian team rainbow-coloured – UPDATE
Rainbow flags continue to show up in protest against the Hungarian “homophobic law”
Source: Telex.hu, Hvg.hu, Daily News Hungary