Hungary's government has submitted a bill to parliament seeking to amend its controversial 2021 law that banned the "promotion of homosexuality" to minors. The move comes after significant criticism from within the European Union and a ruling by the EU's top court.

The 2021 legislation, introduced under former nationalist leader Viktor Orban as an addition to child protection regulations, had been widely criticized for stigmatizing LGBTQ individuals and was later used to ban Pride marches. Activists and EU leaders argued the law violated human rights and linked same-sex relations to pedophilia.

The new bill aims to remove specific references to banning the "promotion" or "display" of homosexuality and gender transition to individuals under 18. Instead, the legislation would focus on material that could "seriously impair the child’s physical, intellectual, emotional or moral development," a broader criterion.

Conservative Prime Minister Peter Magyar, who took office in April after ending Orban's 16-year rule, stated that the revised rules would apply "regardless of sexual orientation" and serve to bring Hungary into compliance with EU regulations. He emphasized a strict stance against media content accessible to minors that promotes sexual violence, manipulation, and exploitation.

In April, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruled that the original Hungarian law violated "the very identity" of the European Union bloc. Following this ruling, Hungarian authorities authorized this year's Pride marches, which had been prohibited the previous year under Orban's government.

Prime Minister Magyar also indicated on Saturday that the government is considering changes to a 2020 law that restricted adoptions to married couples, effectively barring same-sex couples from adopting. This potential reform further signals a shift in the country's approach to LGBTQ rights.

The original law's broad interpretation and application had created a chilling effect, leading to the cancellation of LGBTQ-themed events and content aimed at younger audiences. The amendment is expected to alleviate some of these restrictions and ease tensions with EU institutions.

While the bill represents a significant step towards aligning with EU standards, the full impact and implementation details of the revised child protection measures remain to be seen. The government's stated intention is to protect children while respecting EU legal frameworks and human rights principles.