Hungarian lawmakers give green light for chilling referendum on ‘LGBT+ propaganda’
The referendum was proposed by Hungary’s anti-LGBT+ prime minister Viktor Orban. (AFP via Getty/ ATTILA KISBENEDEK)
On Tuesday (30 November), Hungary’s parliament gave the green light to prime minister Viktor Orbán’s horrific national referendum on “LGBT+ propaganda”.
Orbán proposed the referendum in July, in response to criticism of the country’s “LGBT+ propaganda” ban, doubling down on his crusade against the queer community in Hungary.
The prime minister has now received parliament’s approval, and the referendum can go ahead.
Parliament voted on each question individually, according to Reuters, and they were easily approved with the ruling majority of Orbán’s Fidesz party.
Balazs Orbán, deputy minister and no relation to the prime minister, told parliament: “The Hungarian government proposes that citizens should have a chance to express their stance on the issues of gender propaganda.
“We are committed. We believe that we… have to say no to LGBTQ propaganda in schools carried out with the help of NGOs and media, without parental consent.”
It is not clear when the referendum will take place, but the deputy minister suggested holding it on the same day as the parliamentary election next spring to save money.
Hungary’s prime minister Viktor Orbán plans to include damaging, anti-LGBT+ questions in the referendum
When he announced his planned referendum earlier this year, Viktor Orbán also outlined some of the questions he would include, clearly chosen to deepen anti-LGBT+ hatred in Hungary.
He said he would ask Hungarians whether they support “sexual orientation workshops” in schools without parental consent, and whether content that could “affect” the sexual orientation of children should be shown without restrictions.
Orbán also said he planned to ask the nation whether they believe gender affirming surgeries should be performed on children.
“Our children’s future is at stake and we cannot make concessions in this case,” Orban said at the time, insisting that “when pressure on our country is this strong, Hungary could only be protected by the common will of the people.”
