In a move that has sparked controversy and attracted international attention, Hungary has fired the director of the Hungarian National Museum in Budapest for allegedly violating a law that restricts the display of LGBTQ content to minors. Laszlo L. Simon, who took on the role of director earlier this year, was dismissed by Hungary's cultural minister on Monday.

The decision to terminate Simon's employment came after the government of Hungary identified five photographs in the high-profile World Press Photo exhibition that were deemed to be in violation of the law. The contentious legislation prohibits the access of children to any content that depicts homosexuality or gender change.

Following the discovery of the alleged violations, the museum took immediate action by placing notices both on its website and at the entrance of the World Press Photo exhibition. These notices openly conveyed that the collection could only be viewed by visitors above the age of 18.

Responding to his dismissal, Simon, who is a member of Hungary's ruling Fidesz party and a former secretary of state within the cultural ministry, denied intentionally breaching Hungary's 2021 "child protection" law. In a statement shared on his Facebook page, he maintained that neither he nor the museum had deliberately failed to comply with the legislation.

The specific photographs that triggered the controversy documented the lives of an LGBTQ+ community of elderly individuals in the Philippines. These individuals have formed a supportive home for themselves over the years and have cared for each other as they navigate the challenges of aging. Some of the photographs depict community members dressed in drag and wearing makeup.

Hungary's government, led by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, has implemented various measures to restrict the availability of materials that it believes "promote" or depict homosexuality to minors. These restrictions have impacted multiple forms of media, including television, films, advertisements, and literature. While the government justifies these limitations as part of an effort to shield children from what it terms as sexual propaganda, the legislation has faced significant criticism both domestically and internationally.

The controversial law has prompted legal action from 15 European Union countries, with Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the EU Commission, describing it as "a disgrace." The law's enforcement has raised concerns about the erosion of LGBTQ+ rights and freedom of expression within Hungary.

The cultural ministry, responsible for Simon's dismissal, did not provide further comment in response to requests for clarification. This development marks another chapter in the ongoing debate surrounding LGBTQ+ representation and rights in Hungary, further fueling discussions about the balance between child protection and freedom of expression within the country.