According to article 2 of the treaty of the European Union, the EU is founded on respect for human dignity in societies where “pluralism, non-discrimination [and] tolerance prevail”. Try telling that to the organisers of next month’s Budapest Pride march.

Following new laws introduced by Viktor Orbán’s Fidesz government, Hungary has become the first EU country to legislate to enable the banning of a Pride event. An amendment to the country’s constitution now allows public LGBTQ events to be designated a threat to children, expanding the scope of earlier laws targeted at schools. As a result, organisers and participants in Budapest’s Pride celebration on 28 June risk being fined and harassed if they turn up to the parade.

Unsurprisingly, and accurately, Mr Orbán’s ban has been described as a “full-frontal attack” on LGBTQ people. It is also a typically machiavellian manoeuvre by Hungary’s prime minister, intended to provoke a backlash from liberals at home and........

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