Hungary's LGBTQ community will not be sidelined, members say, by a new amendment to the constitution threatening criminal prosecution for those who attend public events.
Prime Minister Viktor Orban's rightwing populist party, Fidesz, backed the legal change -- one of more than a dozen targeting dissent, free expression and education in recent years -- prompting protests for weeks.
The amendment, passed on April 14 along party lines, officially bans the public display of homosexuality and gender diversity and approves police powers to use facial recognition technology.
The law was promoted by its backers as necessary for the protection of children's "physical, mental and moral development," but international human rights groups say it violates basic civil rights to freedom of expression.
The amendment also enshrines into law the recognition of only two genders, providing a constitutional basis for denying the gender identities of some in Hungary.
Meanwhile, backing for the LGBTQ community from the public in Hungary has only grown, according to attorney Eszter Polgari of the Hatter Society, an NGO that represents victims of discrimination due to their sexual orientation or gender identity.
"I think it got broader support from the society itself," she told RFE/RL. "It also has to do with a lot of discontent among the people. So they are not happy with how things are going."
In response to the new restrictions, protests in Budapest got creative, launching a satirical march calling for more conformity. Demonstrators wore gray instead of the rainbow colors of past Pride marches in the city.
The 30th anniversary of Budapest Pride is still scheduled for June 28, when international supporters are expected to march alongside locals.
The new amendment has yet to have a practical effect on free expression in Hungary, said Polgari, adding it will be difficult to enforce, based on its vague wording.
"Nobody understands and I, as a lawyer, can't define what would constitute displaying or promoting homosexuality and gender diversity," she said.
RFE/RL journalist Pablo Gorondi said the amendment is part of a steady progression of measures restricting dissent and public gatherings.
"This is actually one of several steps, it's the latest step," Gorondi said, "of the Orban government's, you could say, campaign against homosexuals and gays, the LGBTQ community."
The new crackdown could have implications far beyond the organizers of Budapest Pride, Gorondi said.
"This amendment is actually a step against the right of assembly. So not only for the gay community, but it could be extended to anyone whom the government may oppose or who [they] may think has a message that the government doesn't approve of, or for some reason doesn't want to see publicly promoted."
The right group Hungarian Helsinki Committee described the amendment as a means of "legislating fear" in the country.
A statement from the group said, "These laws represent a significant escalation in the government's efforts to suppress dissent, weaken human rights protection and consolidate its grip on power."
