Enlarge image
Photo:
Glenn Dunbar / imago images / Motorsport Images
Before the Formula 1 race in Budapest, Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton took a clear stand on the planned referendum against the rights of non-heterosexual people (LGBT) in Hungary.
"It's shameful for the country," said Vettel at a press conference on the course northwest of the Hungarian capital.
The 34-year-old emphasized that he couldn't understand why the government was struggling so that people could simply live freely as they wanted.
Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orbán recently announced a referendum on a controversial law targeting non-heterosexual people.
Among other things, the law prohibits advertising in which homosexuals or transsexuals appear as part of normality.
The EU Commission sees it as discriminatory and has taken steps against Hungary.
"Unacceptable, cowardly and misleading"
Hamilton pledged his support via Instagram to those affected by the law.
"It is unacceptable, cowardly and misleading for those in power to propose such a law," wrote the 36-year-old, who has campaigned for human rights for a long time and uses his exposed role to denounce abuses.
“Everyone deserves the freedom to be what they want.
No matter what you love or how you feel. "Hamilton urged the people of Hungary to" vote in the upcoming referendum to protect the rights of the LGBTQ community.
You need our support more than ever. "
LGBTQ stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer;
Critics in Hungary see members of these sexual minorities as being discriminated against.
The planned referendum had caused resentment with the European Union.
The German federal government had announced that the anti-LGBTQ law violated the values of the European Union.
The decision of the Hungarian parliament was "a great burden," said European Minister of State Michael Roth (SPD).
"There should be absolutely no doubt about treating minorities with respect, including sexual minorities."
Luxembourg's Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn found even clearer words.
"You should hold a referendum in the EU on whether you want to tolerate Orbán in the EU," the EU's longest-serving foreign minister told SPIEGEL.
bam / dpa
