Hungary moves to amend anti-LGBTQ minors law

Hungary's new government submitted draft legislation Monday to remove anti-LGBTQ provisions that ban the “promotion” or “display” of homosexuality and gender transition to minors.

The move is the first clear sign of a shift on LGBTQ issues from Prime Minister Peter Magyar, a pro-EU conservative whose Tisza party won elections in April and ended 16 years of rule by Viktor Orban.

The 2021 law, introduced under Orban as an addition to child protection rules, banned the “promotion of homosexuality” to under-18s. It was later used as the basis for banning Pride marches.

The European Court of Justice ruled in April that the law violated “the very identity” of the European Union.

The bill submitted Monday would replace the references to homosexuality and gender transition with language covering material that can “seriously impair the child's physical, intellectual, emotional or moral development”.

Magyar said the rules would apply “regardless of sexual orientation”, bringing Hungary into line with EU regulations. He said the government would take a strict stance against media content accessible to minors that promotes sexual violence, manipulation and exploitation.

Campaigners had been waiting to see whether Magyar, who did not address LGBTQ rights during his campaign, would change course from Orban's approach. Police authorised this year's Pride marches after the EU court ruling, following bans last year under Orban's government.

Magyar also said Saturday that the government is considering changing a 2020 law that restricts adoption to married couples, effectively barring same-sex couples from adopting.