European MTV Music Awards: Sign against LGBT hostility in Hungary

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Activist Viktoria Radvanyi

Photo: Vianney Le Caer / Vianney Le Caer / Invision / AP

The MTV Europe Music Awards may not be what they used to be in terms of their importance to the music industry. Nevertheless, it is a big stage that can be used for political statements. To the displeasure of the Hungarian government, a sign of tolerance towards non-heterosexual people was set at this year's awards. At the gala in Budapest, the capital of Hungary, the award named “Generation Change” went to the Hungarian activist Viktoria Radvanyi, who has long been involved in organizing the “Budapest Pride”, as reported by the Hungarian news portal “telex.hu”.

“All people are born equal.

Period, ”said Radvanyi at the award ceremony.

She thanked her partner and her colleagues from the "Budapest Pride" association, which holds an annual demonstration to raise awareness of the discrimination against sexual minorities.

The right-wing national government of Hungary under Prime Minister Viktor Orban's policy is openly anti-homosexual.

That year she passed a law banning minors from finding out about non-heterosexual ways of life.

The EU has therefore initiated further infringement proceedings against the country.

In the run-up to the EMA gala it was already known that the LGBT movement (gays, lesbians, bisexuals, transgender) should be honored with a prize.

Orbán's minister, Gergely Gulyas, said that this event would be used as a “provocation against the government”.

The music awards went to Lil Nas X (best video), US rapper Saweetie (best newcomer) and Ed Sheeran (best artist and best song), among others.

Sheeran also appeared on the show herself.

In the previous year, the award ceremony was only held in online format due to the corona pandemic.

This time the event took place in a fully occupied sports arena.

xvc / dpa