Hungary Fines Retailer For Selling Gay Novel To Youth
By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News
BUDAPEST (Worthy News) – Hungarian authorities have fined a national bookseller for selling a British graphic novel without closed wrapping – saying it violates a law prohibiting the depiction of homosexuality to minors.
Líra Kiskereskedelmi Kft, one of Hungary’s most prominent bookstore chains, was fined 12 million forints ($36,000) after placing Heartstopper by British author Alice Oseman in its youth literature section. It also failed to put the book in closed packaging as required by a 2021 law, authorities said.
Heartstopper, a love story about two teenage boys, was adapted for television and turned into a series for the video streaming service Netflix, with a second season due in August.
The Budapest metropolitan government office, which issued the fine, said it acted after an investigation into a store selling the title.
“The investigation established that the books in question depict homosexuality. Despite these facts, they were displayed among books for children, classified as youth literature, and not distributed in closed packaging,” the office explained.
Thursday’s fine is part of a broader policy by the rightwing government of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán – who says he is “defending Hungary’s Christian values” and traditional families.
In 2021 his government introduced legislation banning the “display and promotion of homosexuality” among under-18s, angering the European Union, of which Hungary is a member.
EU FURIOUS
The EU’s European Parliament said the LGBTQ law breached “EU values, principles and law.”
Additionally, the head of the EU’s executive European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, called the law “a disgrace.”
Hungary’s LGBTQ community also condemned the legislation, saying it would “curb free speech and children’s rights.”
Yet Orbán has received support from several Christians and conservatives for saying he wants to protect minors and Hungary’s Christian culture, Worthy News established.
Hungary’s far-right Mi Hazánk (Our Homeland) party has suggested banning the “LGBTQ propaganda” and the annual Budapest Pride festival.
On Saturday, the 28th Budapest Pride March, promoting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) rights, was to be held in Hungary’s capital.
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