Hungary's parliament voted to remove anti-LGBTQ+ rules from a child protection law introduced in 2021 under former leader Viktor Orban. Lawmakers approved the changes by 139 votes to 51. The old rules banned the portrayal or promotion of sexual and gender diversity in material available to children. The revised law will instead focus on protecting people under 18 from content that could seriously harm their physical, intellectual, emotional, or moral development.
Prime Minister Peter Magyar, who took office in May, said the changes would bring Hungary into line with European Union rules. Before the vote, he described the proposal as stronger protection for children, regardless of sexual orientation, rather than a restoration of rights. Orban's Fidesz party opposed it, but Magyar's Tisza party had enough seats to pass it without opposition support.
The EU welcomed the decision as a sign of commitment to its shared values. Rights activist Tamas Dombos also welcomed the removal of the content restrictions. However, he stressed that more changes were needed. Other restrictions remain, including rules preventing same-sex couples from adopting children.
