The European Union is assessing whether a new law in Hungary – which will prohibit the sharing of content that is considered to ‘promote homosexuality or gender change’ with under 18s – breaches the bloc’s legislation. European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said on Twitter that the EU is “very concerned” about the law, and intends to assess it in line with the union’s legislation on LGBTQ+ rights.
She continued: “I believe in a Europe which embraces diversity, not one which hides it from our children. No one should be discriminated [against] on the basis of sexual orientation.” Earlier this year, the EU was declared an ‘LGBTQ+ freedom zone’ in response to growing hostility towards queer people in countries such as Poland and Hungary.
The declaration states: “LGBTQ+ persons everywhere in the EU should enjoy the freedom to live and publicly show their sexual orientation and gender identity without fear of intolerance, discrimination or persecution”. However, some are concerned the EU is not doing enough to protect LGBTQ+ citizens, with one social media user responding to Leyen’s tweet saying: “Very concerned, very sad, deeply worried, extremely disappointed. But never a single action.”
