Viktor Orbán is gone: But for Hungary’s LGBTQ+ community, the battle is only half won
For years, Viktor Orbán's Hungary has been synonymous with heavy-handed right-wing politics that systematically pushed the country's LGBTQ+ community into the shadows. When the political tide turned in Budapest, many breathed a sigh of relief. Finally, a light at the end of the tunnel. But after talking to people on the streets of this city, it's clear that optimism is being met with a hefty dose of realism. For those who’ve had their backs against the wall for a decade, Viktor Orbán's exit is only the first half of the game.
A new era? You can feel the joy
There's no doubt the mood has shifted. I've been covering Eastern Europe for two decades, and it's rare to see this mix of relief and nervousness. For the young queer people I spoke with earlier this week, it's no longer just about surviving in the shadows, but daring to demand their place in the open. The new government has used more inclusive language, and that's given them a much-needed boost of courage.
But as one activist put it: "Orbán being gone is like having a boot lifted off your throat. You can breathe, but you're still tied up." That hits the nail on the head. The law banning the 'promotion of homosexuality' to minors is still on the books. The constitutional court, which Orbán stacked with his own loyalists, is still there. The machinery is built to keep rolling.
- Symbolic wins: Pride marches can now happen without the fear of police brutality, something that was unthinkable just a year ago.
- Entrenched structures: The old guard still has a tight grip on the media and local administrations, where discrimination often starts.
- Economic dependence: Many in the cultural sector are still reliant on state funding, and the fear of losing their livelihood is very real.
Two stories: From the hockey bus to Budapest
While the world’s focus is on the major political shift in Hungary, another drama entirely reminds us that life’s fragility often overshadows politics. A few weeks back, I was glued to the screen, like everyone else, when news of the Canada hockey bus crash broke. A tragedy that brought a whole nation to a standstill in the midst of its greatest passion. It's a reminder that even in the most privileged societies, life is short.
For the queer Hungarians I followed today, it’s not about life and death on the ice, but a slow stranglehold that is finally starting to loosen. The collective grief over the hockey crash in Canada united a country in a shared emotion. That’s exactly the kind of solidarity the LGBTQ+ community in Hungary has been yearning for: to be seen as a natural part of the community, not a threat to it.
Only half the battle
It’s tempting to call this a new dawn for human rights in Hungary. But the real fight is only beginning. It’s no longer just about removing Viktor Orbán from office. It’s about dismantling a system that has ostracised a large part of the population for over a decade. The embattled human rights situation in Hungary doesn’t just need to be restored; it needs to be rebuilt from the ground up.
I asked an older woman, who has been an activist since the 90s, what her biggest hope is. Her answer was simple: "That my daughter can hold her girlfriend’s hand in public without having to check who’s watching." It’s no longer about grand ideologies. It’s about being able to live your life freely. And even though Orbán is no longer in the top job, the road to get there is still long. The battle is won, but the war is far from over.