Czech Republic President Milos Zeman, on Sunday, during a discussion of a controversial new LGBT law in Hungary called transgender people ‘disgusting.’
According to Hungarian law, all educational materials and programmes for children that are considered to promote homosexuality, gender reassignment and the concept of sexuality deviating from the one assigned at birth are banned.
This law was not welcomed by the members of the European Union and has repeatedly faced criticisms for it.
Talking about the interference of any EU member country in the internal affairs of the country, Zeman said it is a gross political mistake.
“I do not see a reason not to agree with him. I can understand gays, lesbians and so on. But do you know who I do not understand at all? These transgender people,” CNN quoted Zeman as saying.
Zeman described transgender people as “intrinsically disgusting to me”.
Hungary’s position on the law has drawn doubts over whether it belongs in the European Union.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen denounced the bill last week and said “it goes against all the values, the fundamental values of the European Union, and this is human dignity, it is equality, and is the human fundamental rights.”
Zeman’s comments in the background of the world celebrating Pride Month and marches that are aimed at increasing the visibility for the LGBTQ community. It also commemorates the 1969 Stonewall Riots.
According to a CNN report, Prague’s Pride festival is planned for the first week of August.
ILGA-Europe, an advocacy group, fears that the Czech might tread the same as illiberal neighbours Hungary and Poland.