44 embassies and cultural institutes express support for Budapest Pride

This year, once again, the embassies of dozens of countries issued a joint statement in support of Hungary’s Pride and the Hungarian LGBTQ community. "We stand for dignity, equality and non-discrimination, as well as the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, in line with international human rights law and the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights", their statement reads.

After many years, the event planned for 27 June will be the first Budapest Pride without Fidesz in power—which was traditionally hostile toward the LGBTQ community—which the embassies also noted in their statement.

"We welcome the new government’s affirmation that Hungary will be home for every Hungarian, and that everyone can feel they have a place in the Hungarian nation. We stand ready to support all efforts to ensure the right of everyone, including LGBTQI+ people, to live free from discrimination, violence and prejudice"— they stated, adding that “Budapest Pride remains an important expression of the core values of freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly, demonstrated by last year’s record participation."

The statement was signed by the embassies of Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, the Republic of South Africa, Ireland, Israel, Kosovo, Mexico, Montenegro, and Poland, among others, while cultural institutions that signed include the British Council, the Czech Center Budapest, and the Goethe-Institut Budapest. A total of 44 countries and institutions are listed as signatories to the document.

In 2025, the previous Hungarian administration actually went as far as to ban the event, which was held despite the prohibition and ended up being the biggest such event Hungary has ever seen.