Hungary’s conservative government has approved legislation that bans discussion of sexuality and gender issues in schools.
The measure passed the parliament with the support of Viktor Orban, Hungary’s nationalist prime minister, and his Fidesz Party, which often promotes far-right Christian policies. CNN reported that Orban, who faces reelection next year, “has grown increasingly radical on social policy, railing against LGBT people and immigrants in his self-styled illiberal regime, which has deeply divided Hungarians.”
The bill falsely links being LGBTQ to pedophilia. Under the terms of the bill, it would be a crime to show anyone under 18 material that is deemed to encourage homosexuality or gender transition.
The European Parliament blasted the bill. The parliament’s rapporteur for Hungary, Gwendoline Delbos-Corfield, told reporters, “Using child protection as an excuse to target LGBTIQ people is damaging to all children in Hungary.”
