EU leaders defend LGBT rights amid concern over Hungary law

Several European Union leaders are affirming that discrimination must not be tolerated

BRUSSELS -- Several European Union leaders insisted Thursday that discrimination must not be tolerated in the 27-nation bloc, setting the scene for a heated summit over new legislation in Hungary that would ban showing content about LGBT issues to children. Hungary’s parliament passed the bill last week, but it must be endorsed by the president to take effect. It prohibits sharing content on homosexuality or sex reassignment to people under 18 in school sex education programs, films or advertisements. The government says it will protect children, but critics say it links homosexuality with pedophilia. Speaking upon arrival at the meeting in Brussels, Hungary's Prime minister Viktor Orban ruled out withdrawing the law, insisting it does not target homosexuals.