This hot Saturday’s Pride parade is not about politics, but about freedom and love

After the two-hour Pride Parade, Vajdahunyadwar called out from the stage between two songs in front of the park, “a huge tribute to all who marched in this scorching heat.”

In fact, a large number of people – according to the strong estimate of the organizers, 35 thousand people – continued to participate along Andrássy út, boulevard and part of Krali Utka: for the last half hour, I stopped in the shade, the permit colorful crowd went in front of me, when the beginning of the parade had already arrived at Hazok Square, Not everyone came to Kodali Korond.

What is pride beyond the constant struggle against the sun?

“About freedom and love, not politics,” said one man, heading to a nearby party car before fielding my questions about the disappointing events of the past few weeks. (By the way, it coincided with the main message of the Pride opening speech by U.S. Ambassador David Pressman, who also marched.)

In fact, walking around the crowd, one does not see or hear the usual weekday frustration, but acquaintances and strangers enjoying each other, the decor, the set, the dance and their own joy, and: loud music. .

According to most of those interviewed, pride is about acceptance – where only twenty or thirty men disagree with thousands of people.

There were counter-demonstrators, members of the Hatvannégy Vármegye movement, who tried not very successfully to overthrow the march, but the police completely blocked their way. Thus, in some parts of the road, they are visible from a distance, but it is almost impossible to notice them. They almost looked like that uncle in the Octagon, who confusedly tried to make his way through the crowd on the other side of the road while he gallantly sent the marchers off to their mothers.

Many people came from all over the world: a Canadian boy ran with his Hungarian partner to join his local friends in the parade, while tourists in the area decided to spend the day at the parade. Plan to go to the after party from here.

Ah, let’s get a little political

Greeted with a standing ovation, Gergely Karácsony said he recited his speech by heart because his other speech had failed. “I will take action against homosexuality,” he said, then added that Pride will increasingly become a celebration of joy rather than a political demonstration, but unfortunately the country is still not accepting of minorities.

“Politics, like brown rain, pours hatred on us, and Budapest is an island in this,” Karaczony said, asking those present to keep the city intact. According to him, larger communities will be harder to attack, so everyone should show solidarity with minorities. He quoted Pope Francis, according to him, not for provocation: “Budapest is a city of bridges.” According to the mayor, it primarily belongs to bridges that connect people to people. “You can’t beat reality,” he added.

After Christmas, supporters, associations and organizations were applauded: when the names of the Democratic Alliance and the MSZP were mentioned,​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ has died down a little, inspiration among the proud worked well.

After Christoph Steiner’s conference speeches, Trinity Bee’s drag show, a DJ set in the evening, and hundreds of volunteers, project members and organizers could finally catch their breath.