Post-Orgy, Hungary Bans Adoption by Gay Couples, Cements Marriage Ban December 15 2020 3:51 PM EST
Hungary’s ultraconservative ruling party, despite a scandal involving one of its top members being caught in a gay orgy, has pushed through legislation barring same-sex couples from adopting children and strengthening opposition to marriage equality.
The nation’s Parliament, dominated by Prime Minister Victor Orbán’s right-wing Fidesz Party, passed the legislation Tuesday, Radio Free Europe reports. The vote was 134 to 45, with five members abstaining.
The country will limit adoption to married heterosexual couples, with an exception allowing single people to adopt with approval by the nation’s family affairs minister. Hungary previously allowed people in same-sex relationships to adopt if one member applied as a single person, but given the extreme homophobia in the nation, the government may not be inclined to approve these adoptions.
Speaking on how these anti-LGBTQ+ amendments further strip trans and intersex people of their rights, Executive Director at Transgender Europe, Masen Davis, said, “Earlier this year, Hungary made it impossible for trans people to change their names and legal gender marker. We are deeply concerned for the health and safety of trans children and adults in Hungary in such a hostile climate. We call upon EU Commission President von der Leyen to address the rights of LGBT parents, the attempt to erase gender diverse children, and the ban on legal gender recognition in the Commission’s rule of law assessment and on-going Article 7 TEU proceedings against Hungary.”
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban is pictured during a news conference at the Chancellery in Berlin on February 10, 2020. (Emmanuele Contini/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Lawmakers in Hungary have passed a measure to effectively outlaw adoption for same-sex couples, continuing a wave of concerning anti-LGBT+ actions in the country.
The legislation amends the country’s fundamental law to attack LGBT+ families, making clear: “Hungary defends the right of children to identify with their birth gender and ensures their upbringing based on our nation’s constitutional identity and values based on our Christian culture.”
Justice minister Judit Varga explained that barring some limited exemptions for family members, “only married couples can adopt a child, that is, a man and a woman who are married.” Single people seeking to adopt will be required to get special permission from the government to ensure they remain in line with Hungarian values.
Hungary Ramps Up Assault on LGBTQ+ Community, Bans Rights
“This is a dark day for Hungary’s LGBTQ community and a dark day for human rights,” December 15 2020 11:05 AM EST
The Hungarian parliament just passed legislation and amended their country’s constitution to effectively prevent LGBTQ+ people from adopting children. Under Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s ruling right wing Fidesz party, the measures passed Monday by a vote of 134 to 45 with 5 abstentions. The new measures codify a binary redefinition of a family, restrict adoptions only to married couples consisting of a biological man and woman, and require single people to obtain a special exemption from the government before adoption.