More Than 10,000 Attend Budapest Pride March

More than 10,000 people took part in the Budapest Pride march on Saturday, the first since the April parliamentary elections, in which long-time Prime Minister Viktor Orban was defeated by the Tisza Party led by Peter Magyar. Participants marched through the streets of Budapest carrying rainbow flags and European Union flags despite the extreme heat.

Last year's march turned into a mass protest against Orban's government after the prime minister attempted to ban it as part of his policy of restricting the rights of the LGBT+ community. Following the change in government, the ban was lifted, and the event took place without incident this year.

Participants spoke of a noticeably more optimistic atmosphere and hope for equality. They believe that the new government might address the issues of same-sex marriage and adoption in the future.

During his tenure, Orban pushed through laws that made it impossible to change one's gender on official documents, restricted adoption by same-sex couples and banned school materials deemed to promote homosexuality or gender transition.

Prime Minister Peter Magyar, who describes himself as a conservative, is calling for patience regarding any potential changes to this legislation.

(Reuters, Lud)