Hungary wants to amend the anti-LGBT+ law introduced during Viktor Orban’s government

The new Hungarian government, led by conservative and pro-European Prime Minister Peter Magyar, presented a bill on Monday proposing the removal of provisions that banned the “promotion of homosexuality” and gender transition among minors. The measure marks the first major policy change concerning LGBT+ rights since Viktor Orban’s period in government.

The bill amends the law adopted in 2021, presented at the time as a measure to protect children. The legislation was used to restrict or ban Gay Pride marches and was criticized by European institutions and LGBT+ rights organizations, which argued that it stigmatizes homosexual people and associates same-sex relationships with pedophilia.

In April, the Court of Justice of the European Union ruled that the law contravenes EU law. The new provisions proposed by the Magyar government would apply “regardless of sexual orientation” and focus on content accessible to minors that promotes sexual violence, manipulation, or exploitation.

Peter Magyar also announced that the executive is considering amending a 2020 law that limits adoptions to married couples and de facto bans adoption by same-sex couples.