The background of the fines is the policy of Hungary’s populist government and the new “child protection decree”. A bookstore representative criticizes the government’s policy.
The private Hungarian bookstore chain Líra has been fined 32,000 euros after selling the “wrong” work that depicts the love story of two boys.
The reason for the fines was that a popular book about a gay couple was on display in the youth literature section and was not enclosed in transparent plastic. Two similar fines have been imposed within a month.
Creative director of the Líra chain Kristián Nyáry criticizes fines.
– It is completely unrealistic that someone else would decide what 16-17-year-olds are allowed to read, Nyáry says.
Líra is Hungary’s second largest bookstore chain and the biggest competitor of the state-owned Libri chain.
The Hungarian government has a hard line on sexual minorities
The Hungarian government has hardened its line towards sexual minorities. The government has pushed through laws that, according to human rights organizations and European politicians, discriminate against minorities.
The so-called “child protection decree” was passed in 2021. The decree prohibits the depiction of homosexuality in content accessible to children, such as TV, movies and literature. The regulation also prohibits the treatment of LGBTQ topics in school curricula.
The decree is part of the Hungarian government’s broader program, which, among other things, toughens the punishments for those who commit sexual abuse of children.
“The law is full of ambiguities”
The law also prohibits “depicting sexuality as such” to audiences under the age of 18. In principle, the ban can apply to a large part of literature.
According to the opponents, the policy is intended to stigmatize gays, lesbians and other gender minorities, and to put equal signs between pedophiles and homosexuals.
The representative of the bookstore Líra says that the law is full of uncertainties.
– The practical problem is that booksellers should decide which books are covered by the law and which are not. The Bible also talks about homosexuality, says Kristián Nyáry.
Líra plans to challenge the fine in court and, according to Nyár, is not going to start packing books in plastic.
Sources: AP