Gay Prides: Budapest Police Face Potential Trouble, While in London It’s Keeping the Traffic Moving

LONDON, July 4, 2008  –  As police in Budapest brace themselves for threatened disruption of the Hungarian capital's Gay Pride, politicians in the United Kingdom are lining-up to support Pride London as the Metropolitan Police's 'Pride Operation' centres on how to keep central London's traffic moving.

Both Prides are being staged tomorrow.

In London, at least one group will be marching to highlight the fact that all is not well for LGBT rights in several countries in the European Union – especially in countries of Eastern Europe.

Tomorrow, 11 young people from Poland will be in London to march alongside 50 campaigners from the British Youth Council (BYC) and NUS at Pride London to highlight the fact that LGBT young people across Europe still face unjustifiable discrimination by Governments and society.

They will call for European governments to hold each other accountable for human rights legislation and stop human rights abuses against the LGBT community across Europe.

The mayor of Budapest, Gabor Demszky, is leading a number of Hungarian politicians in supporting the Pride – and insisting that the parade goes ahead.

London faces no such problems, with Mayor Boris Johnson as committed to Pride London as was his predecessor Ken Livingstone.

And British politicians from most of the political spectrum not only support Pride London, but will be taking part.

Minister for Women and Equality Harriet Harman will be there.

"The Government has championed a society in which people can expect to be treated fairly and with respect," she said this morning in a statement.

"Gay rights are an important part of this equality agenda.

"We've abolished Section 28, outlawed discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation, and introduced civil partnerships – with nearly 30,000 since December 2005, ending many of the injustices faced by same-sex couples and allowing them to celebrate their commitment to each other.

"But we're doing more," she pointed out.

"Last week I announced that the Government will put a duty on schools and other bodies to tackle gay bullying and consider the needs of lesbian, gay and bisexual people, and we are going to bring in laws to ban inciting homophobic hatred."

And London Green Party MEP Jean Lambert, who will be at Pride London tomorrow, has spoken out in support of equal rights for LGBT individuals across Europe.

"I am proud to be attending this event which celebrates the freedom of the LGBT community in this country," she said this morning.

"However, we must not be complacent about fighting for equal rights for all.

"In many countries across Europe people still face discrimination and abuse as a result of their sexual orientation.

"This week the European Commission decided to proceed with new legislation which will protect all European citizens from discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation.  This is a clear step towards also ensuring that all UK citizens can travel across Europe free from the fear of being harassed or unfairly treated because of prejudice and intolerance.

"The European Union has in this case acted on the demands of European citizens," Ms. Lambert continued.

"It now remains to be seen whether all member states will support the new proposals."

Meanwhile, in Brussels, the European Parliament's all-party Intergroup for Gay and Lesbian Rights is demanding that the Hungarian government provides proper – and full – protection to all people taking part in Budapest Pride events.

"Violence as seen last year must not be repeated", Michael Cashman (PSE), president of the Intergroup, said this morning.

"Police forces must be able to protect people exercising their democratic rights to peaceful assembly."

Sirpa Pietikäinen, vice-president of the Intergroup for the EPP-ED added: "Last year, because of negligence and inactivity of police, people were attacked before, during and after the parade.

"This year we will closely watch the ability of Hungarian police to protect every citizen against violence."

■ Eurobarometer surveys show that a large majority of Europeans support such legislation. 77 per cent back measures to protect people from discrimination in education and 68 per cent in access to goods and services.