Hungary's parliament voted to remove restrictions on LGBTQ+ content from a child-protection law introduced in 2021 under former leader Viktor Orbán. The changes passed with 139 votes in favour and 51 against. They mark the first major reversal of Orbán's restrictions on LGBTQ+ people since Péter Magyar became prime minister in May.
The old law banned the portrayal or promotion of same-sex relationships and gender transition in content available to children. The revised law instead aims to protect under-18s from material that could seriously damage their physical, intellectual, emotional or moral development. Magyar said the changes would bring Hungary into line with European Union rules. He presented them as stronger protection for children, rather than a restoration of rights.
The European Union welcomed the vote, and rights campaigner Tamas Dombos described it as a positive step. However, he said more changes were needed. Other laws still prevent legal recognition of transgender people's gender identity and adoption by same-sex couples. Orbán's Fidesz party opposed the amendment, but the governing Tisza party had enough seats to pass it without opposition support.
