Controversy over Budapest Pride March

The last few days have cast an air of uncertainty over the future of the annual Gay Pride march in Budapest, scheduled to take place this year on July 5th.

Planning had gone smoothly until earlier this week Budapest Police Chief Gabor Toth declared the march canceled citing concerns with obstructing public transport and road traffic. LGBT human rights groups such as IGLA-Europe have expressed their disappointment, concerned that the police's cancellation was a sign of giving in to the threats of ultranationalists. Last year dozens of marchers were injured by counter-demonstrators - hit by eggs, bottles, or even beaten.

Shocked by the announcement, the European Community represented by Hungarian MEP Katalin Levai described the ban as "unacceptable" and that "a significant minority in Hungary must not be denied a chance to present itself. Even the Mayor of Budapest, Gabor Demszky, expressed support saying he would personally join the march.

Luckily on June 12th the Budapest police withdrew this ban, and the march should go ahead as planned.

Hopefully this year's march will prove to be a peaceful and tolerant event and a positive experience for all.