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Hungarian Fidesz MP wants Gay Pride banned, triggers int'l reprimand, Whoopi speaks up
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Ékes told a press conference last Friday that instead of a “provocative" event there should be real social and professional dialogue about homosexuality. In a letter to Budapest's Chief of Police Gábor Tóth she asked the Budapest Pride march called for 5 September to be banned, saying the event “can induce fear and revulsion in people and also endangers the development of minors," local newswire MTI reported.
Eggs and faeces
On 7 June, Hungary's extreme right-wing party, Jobbik (Movement for a Better Hungary), gained enough votes to send three MEPs to the European Parliament. Then seven days later, the party announced at a press conference that they will work in close co-operation with other extreme rightist political groups to stop “by all means necessary" the Gay Pride march on 5 September in Budapest.The Pride debuted in Budapest in 1997 and the annual event remained a peaceful gathering for ten years.
But in 2007 protestors hurled eggs, Molotov cocktails and bags filled with sand and faeces at the marchers, while shouting “Fags to the Danube, Jews to follow".
Last year, skinheads and ultra-nationalists approached the marchers at the solidarity event and launched rocks, bottles, eggs, and petrol bombs over the fences at the supporters. Twenty-five people, including 17 police officers, were injured in the fights that took place at the start of the parade, and 45 protesters were arrested.
Ékes said the serious atrocities in 2008 serve as evidence that this year's march would be detrimental for the public order and for the healthy development of young generations.
When asked whether she thinks homosexuality is an illness, Ékes said it was a “mental injury". Researches have not found genetic or biological proof that homosexuality is congenital - therefore “healing" is possible and gay people can become heterosexual, she said.
An ignorant MP
The Hungarian LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) Association said the solidarity event cannot be banned in any of the European Union states, including Hungary.
Sándor Steigler, head of the organising Rainbow Mission Foundation, told MTI Ékes proved her ignorance by labelling homosexuality as a mental illness. Several international organizations, including the World Health Organisation (WHO), declared it was not a disease and Hungary's Ministry of Health concurred in 2007, he reminded.
The WHO's ICD-9 (1977) - International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems - listed homosexuality as a mental illness; it was removed from the ICD-10, endorsed by the Forty-third World Health Assembly on 17 May, 1990. Work on ICD-10 began in 1983 and was completed in 1992.
“The real social problem is the rejection of homosexuality rather than homosexuality itself," sociologist Judit Takács told the newswire.
She added that during her research she found sexual orientation may be repressed but never changed.
International uproar
Meanwhile, 13 embassies in Hungary, representing countries on four continents, issued a statement on Friday of support for the LGBT community of Hungary, in a cultural week of films and other events that began on Sunday and will culminate in the 5 Sept parade.
“Human rights - including justice, equality, humanity, respect and freedom of expression - and the rule of law are the foundations upon which democratic states are built," the joint press statement says.
“Indeed, international human rights law is grounded on the premise that all individuals are entitled to the same rights and freedoms, as set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights."
The joint statement (see at the bottom of the page) issued by the embassies of Australia, Canada, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States voiced support for the right of the gay community to hold the parade.
The Hungarian Helsinki Committee turned to President László Sólyom and the leaders of parliamentary parties in an open letter, asking to show support for the LGBT parade.
The Hungarian Helsinki Committee monitors the enforcement in Hungary of human rights enshrined in international human rights instruments, provides legal defence to victims of human rights abuses by state authorities and informs the public about rights violations.
Should be sacked
Bertalan Havasi, media chief of Fidesz, the centre-right party that is most likely to win next year's elections, said that Ékes had held a press conference only as a private individual and had only voiced a “personal opinion" on which his party had no comment and nothing to add to.
The Christian Democratic People's Party (KDNP), an ally of Fidesz has also expressed its objection to the Saturday event, saying the Gay Pride march was a provocation.
The party is concerned how scandalous performance the paraders will stage this year, due to which the streets leading to Andrássy street (Budapest's main boulevard) will need to be closed.
The Socialist Party (MSZP) and minor opposition parties, the liberal Free Democrats (SZDSZ) and the Hungarian Democratic Forum (MDF) all condemned Ékes's comments and the MSZP urged Fidesz to recall its MP from the human rights committee.
Oscar-winner wants peace
Academy Award-winning actress/comedienne Whoopi Goldberg (53), has recorded a special video message for Hungarians on the occasion of the Budapest Pride parade, urging locals to respect human rights and freedom.
She reminded that throughout its “long and proud history" Hungarians have always fought for freedom and desired democracy.
“Twenty years after the fall of the Soviet block the struggle for freedom continues," she said.
“The people in Hungary who are participating in Gay Pride are expressing those freedoms, just like they do in many other cities in the European Union.
Not everyone celebrates Gay Pride and not everyone agrees with Gay Pride but all citizens in Hungary who support democracy need to say to themselves people can disagree. But violence against other human beings... that's not good. It's wrong."
The joint statement from 13 Embassies in Budapest
"On the occasion of the 2009 Budapest Pride Festival, we express our support for, and solidarity with, the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities in Hungary."
"We support the right of these communities to use this traditional occasion to march together peacefully and lawfully, in order to express their desire to end the silence surrounding the specific issues that affect them."
"Human rights - including justice, equality, humanity, respect and freedom of expression - and the rule of law are the foundations upon which democratic states are built. Indeed, international human rights law is grounded on the premise that all individuals are entitled to the same rights and freedoms, as set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights."
"It is this respect for fundamental human values that obliges governments to protect all citizens from violence and to ensure that all people enjoy equal opportunities."
"Today, many individuals face discrimination, both systemic and overt, based on their sexual orientation and gender identity."
"Our governments seek to combat such discrimination by promoting the human rights of all people, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. We urge all governments to ensure that neither sexual orientation nor gender identity form the basis for criminal penalties."
"Our governments` policies in this area are in accordance with the principles set out in the Joint statement on human rights, sexual orientation and gender identity delivered at the United Nations General Assembly on 18 December, 2008."
Eggs and faeces
On 7 June, Hungary's extreme right-wing party, Jobbik (Movement for a Better Hungary), gained enough votes to send three MEPs to the European Parliament. Then seven days later, the party announced at a press conference that they will work in close co-operation with other extreme rightist political groups to stop “by all means necessary" the Gay Pride march on 5 September in Budapest.The Pride debuted in Budapest in 1997 and the annual event remained a peaceful gathering for ten years.
But in 2007 protestors hurled eggs, Molotov cocktails and bags filled with sand and faeces at the marchers, while shouting “Fags to the Danube, Jews to follow".
Last year, skinheads and ultra-nationalists approached the marchers at the solidarity event and launched rocks, bottles, eggs, and petrol bombs over the fences at the supporters. Twenty-five people, including 17 police officers, were injured in the fights that took place at the start of the parade, and 45 protesters were arrested.
Ékes said the serious atrocities in 2008 serve as evidence that this year's march would be detrimental for the public order and for the healthy development of young generations.
When asked whether she thinks homosexuality is an illness, Ékes said it was a “mental injury". Researches have not found genetic or biological proof that homosexuality is congenital - therefore “healing" is possible and gay people can become heterosexual, she said.
An ignorant MP
The Hungarian LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) Association said the solidarity event cannot be banned in any of the European Union states, including Hungary.
Sándor Steigler, head of the organising Rainbow Mission Foundation, told MTI Ékes proved her ignorance by labelling homosexuality as a mental illness. Several international organizations, including the World Health Organisation (WHO), declared it was not a disease and Hungary's Ministry of Health concurred in 2007, he reminded.
The WHO's ICD-9 (1977) - International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems - listed homosexuality as a mental illness; it was removed from the ICD-10, endorsed by the Forty-third World Health Assembly on 17 May, 1990. Work on ICD-10 began in 1983 and was completed in 1992.
“The real social problem is the rejection of homosexuality rather than homosexuality itself," sociologist Judit Takács told the newswire.
She added that during her research she found sexual orientation may be repressed but never changed.
International uproar
Meanwhile, 13 embassies in Hungary, representing countries on four continents, issued a statement on Friday of support for the LGBT community of Hungary, in a cultural week of films and other events that began on Sunday and will culminate in the 5 Sept parade.
“Human rights - including justice, equality, humanity, respect and freedom of expression - and the rule of law are the foundations upon which democratic states are built," the joint press statement says.
“Indeed, international human rights law is grounded on the premise that all individuals are entitled to the same rights and freedoms, as set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights."
The joint statement (see at the bottom of the page) issued by the embassies of Australia, Canada, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States voiced support for the right of the gay community to hold the parade.
The Hungarian Helsinki Committee turned to President László Sólyom and the leaders of parliamentary parties in an open letter, asking to show support for the LGBT parade.
The Hungarian Helsinki Committee monitors the enforcement in Hungary of human rights enshrined in international human rights instruments, provides legal defence to victims of human rights abuses by state authorities and informs the public about rights violations.
Should be sacked
Bertalan Havasi, media chief of Fidesz, the centre-right party that is most likely to win next year's elections, said that Ékes had held a press conference only as a private individual and had only voiced a “personal opinion" on which his party had no comment and nothing to add to.
The Christian Democratic People's Party (KDNP), an ally of Fidesz has also expressed its objection to the Saturday event, saying the Gay Pride march was a provocation.
The party is concerned how scandalous performance the paraders will stage this year, due to which the streets leading to Andrássy street (Budapest's main boulevard) will need to be closed.
The Socialist Party (MSZP) and minor opposition parties, the liberal Free Democrats (SZDSZ) and the Hungarian Democratic Forum (MDF) all condemned Ékes's comments and the MSZP urged Fidesz to recall its MP from the human rights committee.
Oscar-winner wants peace
Academy Award-winning actress/comedienne Whoopi Goldberg (53), has recorded a special video message for Hungarians on the occasion of the Budapest Pride parade, urging locals to respect human rights and freedom.
She reminded that throughout its “long and proud history" Hungarians have always fought for freedom and desired democracy.
“Twenty years after the fall of the Soviet block the struggle for freedom continues," she said.
“The people in Hungary who are participating in Gay Pride are expressing those freedoms, just like they do in many other cities in the European Union.
Not everyone celebrates Gay Pride and not everyone agrees with Gay Pride but all citizens in Hungary who support democracy need to say to themselves people can disagree. But violence against other human beings... that's not good. It's wrong."
The joint statement from 13 Embassies in Budapest
"On the occasion of the 2009 Budapest Pride Festival, we express our support for, and solidarity with, the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities in Hungary."
"We support the right of these communities to use this traditional occasion to march together peacefully and lawfully, in order to express their desire to end the silence surrounding the specific issues that affect them."
"Human rights - including justice, equality, humanity, respect and freedom of expression - and the rule of law are the foundations upon which democratic states are built. Indeed, international human rights law is grounded on the premise that all individuals are entitled to the same rights and freedoms, as set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights."
"It is this respect for fundamental human values that obliges governments to protect all citizens from violence and to ensure that all people enjoy equal opportunities."
"Today, many individuals face discrimination, both systemic and overt, based on their sexual orientation and gender identity."
"Our governments seek to combat such discrimination by promoting the human rights of all people, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. We urge all governments to ensure that neither sexual orientation nor gender identity form the basis for criminal penalties."
"Our governments` policies in this area are in accordance with the principles set out in the Joint statement on human rights, sexual orientation and gender identity delivered at the United Nations General Assembly on 18 December, 2008."
