Organisers estimated up to 200,000 people took part in the 30th parade in the Hungarian capital, which was held in a festive atmosphere with rainbow flags flying high.

Those numbers far exceed the previous record turnout of 35,000 people and came in spite of a police ban imposed by prime minister Viktor Orbán’s nationalist government.

The governing coalition amended its laws and the constitution this year to prohibit the annual celebration, citing “child protection” to justify the years-long clampdown on queer rights.

But the opposition-run Budapest city hall decided to co-host the march so it could go ahead.

“I am proud to be gay and I am very scared that the government wants to bring us down,” one participant, 66-year-old Zoltan, told AFP.

“I am very surprised that there are so many people, I want to cry,” he added. He declined to give his full name.

“Big Embarrassment”

Orban said Friday that while police would not break up the Pride march, those who took part should be aware of “legal consequences”.

Parade organisers risk up to a year in prison, and attendees can face fines up to €500 (US$590).

The latest legal changes also empower the authorities to use facial-recognition technology to identify those taking part, and cameras had recently been installed on lamp posts
along the parade route.

Szabolcs Pek, lead analyst at research centre Iranytu Institute, said it would be difficult for Orban’s Fidesz party to respond to the high turnout.

“This is a big embarrassment for Fidesz,” he told AFP.