Budapest Pride - Greens Want to Stop EU Payments to Hungary

In the run-up to the banned Budapest Pride, the Austrian Greens have called for a complete stop of all EU payments to Hungary. The homophobic policies of the Hungarian government are not "differences of opinion," said the Green European spokesperson Meri Disoski to journalists in Vienna on Wednesday. "These are violations of fundamental rights." As long as Hungary tramples on basic human rights, "not a cent from Brussels should flow to Hungary."

Disoski and Stögmüller want to participate in Budapest Pride

"Those who want to weaken democracy almost always start with minorities. This has an impact on real people like my colleague Stögmüller and me," said the queer politician in a joint press conference with the Green LGBTIQ* spokesperson David Stögmüller. "I imagine how I would have felt in this climate at my first Pride. I wanted to walk hand in hand with my girlfriend and then the government of my country says: We don't want to see you, hide yourselves, your love disturbs us," she said.

"The first Pride was a riot," she referred to the Stonewall riots of 1969 in New York, which are considered the beginning of the LGBTIQ movement. "In light of these repressions, this motto is more relevant than ever this year," said Disoski. She, like Stögmüller, plans to participate in the Budapest Pride on Saturday. As he reported to the APA upon request, around 50 Green MPs from several European countries have announced their attendance. Liberal and social democratic politicians also plan to attend. According to the European MP Lena Schilling, the EU Greens are already planning a protest action in downtown Budapest on Friday.

"More than just a setback"

Disoski sharply criticized the anti-queer policies of more and more governments, recently also in the USA. "This is more than just a setback, it is a targeted strategy." The queer community is being systematically pushed out of public life, "out of pure cynicism" US President Donald Trump even discontinued suicide hotlines for young people. In Hungary, Pride events are banned under threat of severe penalties, and participants are tracked using facial recognition. "This is not fiction, this is reality. Orwell sends his regards," said Disoski, referring to the dystopian scenarios of British writer George Orwell.

Disoski and Stögmüller pointed out that Austria could have taken a similar path under an FPÖ chancellorship. During Pride Month, the parliament building remained "literally dark" because National Council President Walter Rosenkranz (FPÖ) rejected rainbow lighting against the will of the other four parties, said Stögmüller. Instead of following the parliamentary majority, Rosenkranz has an "understanding of office as a party soldier" and welcomed Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán as the first guest in parliament.

Criticism of NEOS

Stögmüller also criticized the co-governing NEOS, who had presented themselves the day before in a press conference as particularly active champions for the rights of the LGBTIQ+ community. These are "announcements resting on the successes of the Greens," commented Stögmüller. He specifically mentioned the law for a ban on conversion therapies, developed under the Green Justice Minister Alma Zadic, which the new coalition is putting on the back burner. NEOS parliamentary group leader Yannick Shetty had demanded such a law "for years" and can now put it on the agenda. "Now they are in power and now they can show what they do," said Stögmüller, referring to the completed draft law. In reference to the pink dissent on the issue of messenger surveillance, he further stated that NEOS members could also "remember their own principles" when it comes to discrimination protection.

The two National Council members also commented at the press conference on the recent party exit of their former faction colleague Faika El-Nagashi. Disoski disagreed with an APA question suggesting there is a tension between women's and trans rights. "I don't believe in reducing people to their biology. Trans women are women and have a right to protection," said Disoski. As a women's spokesperson, she has visited numerous women's shelters in recent years, and she has "not once" been asked about the issue. "Threats to women's rights do not come from trans people, but from anti-feminism, violence, and a political shift to the right." Stögmüller expressed similar views, whose seat neighbor in the National Council was El-Nagashi for years. He had many discussions with her, but she had an "individual opinion." He acknowledges her party exit. Trans rights are human rights, and progressive forces must not be divided, said Stögmüller.

(APA/Red)

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