Veteran LGBTQ+ rights campaigner Peter Tatchell has written a powerful letter urging artists with large LGBTQ+ audiences to leave Hungary off their tour schedules after the Hungarian Parliament passed a constitutional amendment to ban all LGBTQ+ community events, including Budapest Pride.
Tatchell has written to Chappell Roan, Emeli Sandé and Alanis Morissette ahead of their upcoming shows and urged them to reconsider.
“We ask you to stand with Hungary’s LGBTQ+ people by cancelling your performance. If this is not possible, when you are in Hungary we ask you to hold a press conference where you condemn the Pride ban and express support for the LGBTQ+ community – and do the same on stage when you perform.” Tatchell wrote.
“By performing without criticising the denial of free speech and the right to protest, these artists would be giving comfort to a tyrannical homophobic regime.” Tatchell said.
“Hungary has outlawed this year’s Pride march on 28 June and plans to use facial recognition technology to identify, arrest and fine anyone who participates. The Pride ban follows a wider rollback of LGBTQ+ rights, including bans on LGBT+ education in schools, trans rights and the so-called ‘promotion’ of homosexuality.
“These performers are beloved LGBTQ+ icons. Their visibility gives hope. That’s why it’s vital they speak out or pull out. I’m urging them: don’t carry on with business as usual.
“This is not about boycotting the Hungarian people—it’s about challenging a homophobic regime that uses culture to sanitise and pinkwash its repression.
“Stars like Emeli, Alanis and Chappell have huge influence. Their voices can help bring global attention to Hungary’s repression and give courage to LGBTs who are being banned from marching,” Tatchell said.
The amendment, led by populist Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, passed on Monday, April 14 with 140 votes for and 21 against.
Ahead of the vote – the final step for the amendment – opposition politicians and other protesters attempted to blockade the entrance to a parliament carpark. Police physically removed demonstrators, who had used zip ties to bind themselves together.
The amendment declares that children’s rights to moral, physical and spiritual development supersede any right other than the right to life, including that to peacefully assemble. Hungary’s contentious “child protection” legislation prohibits the “depiction or promotion” of homosexuality to minors.
The amendment codifies a law fast-tracked through parliament in March that bans public events held by LGBTQ+ communities, including the popular Pride event in Budapest that draws thousands annually.
That law also allows authorities to use facial recognition tools to identify people who attend prohibited events – such as Budapest Pride – and can come with hefty fines.
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