Reigning Formula 1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton has criticised Hungary’s government over a recent anti-LGBTQ+ law, ahead of the country’s grand prix this weekend.
Hungary, led by far-right Prime Minister Viktor Orban, passed a law in June banning the depiction of homosexuality and transgender issues to under-18s.
Orban has regularly referred to the new law as essential for the purposes of “child protection” while critics have outlined that the new law equates homosexuality to paedophilia.
“This is a dark day for LGBTQ+ rights and for Hungary,” outlined Amnesty International when the law came into effect.
“Like the infamous Russian ”propaganda law” this new legislation will further stigmatise LGBTQ+ people and their allies. It will expose people already facing a hostile environment to even greater discrimination.
“Tagging these amendments to a bill that seeks to crack down on child abuse appears to be a deliberate attempt by the Hungarian government to conflate paedophilia with LGBTQ+ people.”
A referendum on the matter is due to be held either later in 2021 or in early 2022 amid widespread condemnation on Orban from the European Union.
Orban, who came to power in 2010, has gradually eroded institutions meant to limit the state’s power, such as press freedom, and independent judiciaries, and has also extended the government’s influence within universities.
Hungary does not recognise gay marriage and in late 2020 banned same-sex couples from adopting children.
Taking to his Instagram Stories, using the rainbow background associated with the Pride movement, Hamilton wrote: “To all in this beautiful country [of] Hungary.
“Ahead of the Grand Prix this weekend, I want to share my support for those affected by the government’s anti-LGBTQ+ law.
“It is unacceptable, cowardly, and misguiding for those in power [to] suggest such a law.
“Everyone deserves to have the freedom to be themselves, no matter who they love or how they identify.
“I urge the people of Hungary to vote in the upcoming referendum to protect the rights of the LGBTQ+ community.
“They need our support more than ever. Please show love for those around you because Love will always win.”
Sebastian Vettel sported the rainbow colours on his trainers at the Hungaroring on Thursday and also spoke out against the government.
“Everybody’s free to do what they want and exactly that I guess is the point,” he said of his shoes.
“So I find it embarrassing for a country that is in the European Union having to vote or having some laws like this as part of their – whatever, not constitution but… I just think we’ve had so many opportunities to learn in the past and I can’t understand why you’re struggling to see everybody should be free to do what they like, love who they like and it’s along the lines of ‘live and let live’.
“So it’s obviously not for us to make the law, that’s not our role, but I think just to express the support for obviously those who are affected by it.”
God I Love Hungary… Best Country in Muslim EU…
This irritating guy called Hamilton has no idea what is he speaking about. First and foremost, homosexuals have equal rights in Hungary, you can be one if you want, nothing changes. What is about to be prohibited is the propaganda of homosexuality to the minors. The logic is, if you are not old enough to be qualified to vote, to drive the car, to have full adult rights, you are not qualified to make life choices. Also, why does LGBT tries to bring their propaganda to the minors, are the LGBTs pedophiles as well?
Why lie?
They don’t have equal rights and we (as in Hungary) are moving further and further away from that equality.
(Also, most minors have just learned about LGBT+ through the government’s media campaign, so that worked out fine.)
Are you a Hungarian or not? I don’t think so that you are a Hungarian. Nothing happens to you if you are a gay in Hungary. I stand by that.
I am. I know where I live.
You, on the other hand, apparently don’t know what equal rights mean (adoption, marriage, etc.)
“why does LGBT tries to bring their propaganda to the minors”
This is not what the law is about, it’s about banning any freedom of expression, but your government and homophobic president is trying to sell it to you as protecting minors, when it is anything but that. Please read up on it and educate yourself.
Soon F1 comes to Saudi Arabia and Hamilton needs to speak there for the human rights, else he will be the real coward.
When F1 raced in China, I didn’t see Hamilton denouncing the CCP treatment of Tibetans, Uyghurs, Mongols or faith practitioners. People are being systematically killed in China, not just prevented from proselytizing perversion to minors. Of course, the CCP has no sense of humor or tolerance and that could put Hamilton in real danger, unlike civilized countries such as Hungary where he can spout his woke nonsense with impunity.
Can we please STOP DRAGGING POLITICS INTO THE BLOODY SPORT!!! F1 is my escape from all the nonsense in the world every couple of weeks for 3 or 4 hours. Quit driving and go get elected. In the mean time drive the bloody car!!!
Hamilton and Vettel are venturing beyond their remit here. There are two groups of people who are entitled to speak on this subject. Hungarian politicians, and Hungarians. It is the business of no other section of humanity or individual. Imagine the outcry if, while they were at Wembley stuffing England, one of the Italian players had demanded that our government must give Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland the right to hold referendums on independence. Whatever our personal views on the matter, most of the UK population would be furious at such impertinence from someone popping in for a few days to tell us how we should be behaving.
You’re comparing Scottish independence to basic human rights? Come on Dami, get a grip. This is a concerning law which will essentially make the life of LGBTQ+ in Hungary incredibly difficult/dangerous and the world has a right to be appalled. Scotland being part of the UK isn’t quite on the same level. Please think before you spout absolute rubbish that you clearly don’t properly understand.
No, I’m comparing foreigners interfering in Hungary’s business with foreigners interfering in the UK’s business. If the people of Hungary decide their rights are being denied they’ll vote for somebody else next time round. That is a matter for them to consider and is totally outwith the prerogative of visitors who are there to drive racing cars to be pontificating upon at any time, let alone while they are being shown hospitality by the people whose democratically elected government they are insulting. The world is not a homogenous lump, and while some folk may be appalled they should keep that feeling to themselves, out of respect for the sovereignty of the Hungarian electorate, as indeed should those outsiders who are supportive of the policy, though I would suspect that the majority of the world’s population are either completely unaware or utterly indifferent to the intricacies of Hungarian internal politics, which is none of their business.