Over 3000 attend Budapest Pride

Budapest Pride 2012 took place safely on Saturday despite earlier threats and the mayor’s unwillingness to support the event. Over 3000 marchers took to the streets protected by riot police.

 

The procession included human rights organizations, ambassadors, opposition politicians, and Members of the European Parliament, which took place safely thanks to heavy police protection.

 

Before the pride, far-right groups had made violent threats, publishing the names and Facebook profiles of EuroGames organizers, as well as hotels where LGBT athletes stayed for the event.

 

Mayor of Budapest István Tarlós replied to a letter regarding Pride safety by Members of the European Parliament saying that “becoming absorbed in this subject matter would not indicate a measure of intellect”.

 

Present at the march, the LGBT Intergroup’s Co-President Ulrike Lunacek stated: “Mr. Tarlós thinks that LGBT issues should not be a mayor’s concern. He forgets that his city alone has an estimated 180,000 LGBT citizens; they are part and parcel of Budapest’s socio-economic life”.

 

“I urge him to open his mind and eyes; ignorance and intolerance are no good guides for any mayor in Europe. He should speak to the Latvian mayor of Riga, for example, who supported the Pride this year”, he added.