HOSI Vienna and Vienna Pride are calling for a rally in front of the Hungarian Embassy on Thursday, 20 March 2025 at 7 PM.
The Homosexual Initiative (HOSI) Vienna and Vienna Pride strongly condemn the bill presented today to the Hungarian Parliament to ban Pride parades. The Hungarian government aims to prohibit Pride parades, the annual demonstrations by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, and queer (LGBTIQ) people, and to punish their organization and participation with fines.
Ann-Sophie Otte, chairwoman of HOSI Vienna, which organizes the Vienna Rainbow Parade, is outraged:
“The right to demonstrate is one of the most important instruments of a democracy. The fact that the LGBTIQ community in Hungary is to be deprived of the right to demonstrate for its concerns is unacceptable and a clear attack on the community, on freedom of assembly, and on freedom of expression. This is not just another setback for our queer siblings in Hungary, but a frontal attack on the European Convention on Human Rights and the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights. With this attempt to make us invisible under the absurd pretext of child protection, the right-wing authoritarian government under Orban once again reveals its true face: he is Putin’s Trojan horse, who under the same pretext denies the Russian LGBTIQ community their fundamental and human rights. If Orban wants to leave the EU and get his money from the Kremlin, let him – but as long as he receives EU funds, he must adhere to European law. We will not be made invisible or intimidated!”
The Vienna Rainbow Parade, with around 350,000 participants, is Austria’s largest demonstration and will march down the Ringstraße for the 29th time on 14 June 2025. It is the highlight of Vienna Pride, which takes place from 31 May to 15 June 2025, featuring events across Vienna advocating for the rights and visibility of LGBTIQ people.
Katharina Kacerovsky-Strobl, organizer of Vienna Pride, emphasizes:
“We invite all our friends and the community organizations in Hungary to join Vienna Pride and the Rainbow Parade 2025. In Vienna, we are sending a strong signal for visibility, acceptance, a free society, and for democracy. Pride is a global movement for human rights, and especially in these politically challenging times, it is our responsibility to stand up even louder and more determined. It’s not just about us – it’s about all the people who cannot openly express their sexual orientation or gender identity in their home countries. Democracy and human rights are not negotiable – we stand united for them.”
HOSI Vienna is organizing a rally on Thursday, 20 March 2025 at 7 PM in front of the Hungarian Embassy (Bankgasse 5, 1010 Vienna) in solidarity with all LGBTIQ people in Hungary!
Demonstration for the LGBTIQ Community in Hungary
Rally at the Hungarian Embassy in solidarity with all LGBTIQ people in Hungary
Date: 20 March 2025, 7:00 PM
Location: In front of the Hungarian Embassy
Bankgasse 5
1010 Vienna
Austria
