Viktor Orbán is gone: But for Hungary's LGBTQ+ community, the battle is only half won
For years, Viktor Orbán's Hungary was synonymous with a heavy-handed brand of right-wing politics that systematically pushed the country's LGBTQ+ community into the shadows. With the change of power in Budapest, many breathed a sigh of relief. Finally, a light at the end of the tunnel. But after speaking with people on the streets of this city, it's clear that optimism is tempered with a heavy dose of realism. For those who have had their backs against the wall for a decade, Viktor Orbán's exit is only the first half of the match.
A new era? You can feel the joy
There's no doubt the mood has shifted. I've covered Eastern Europe for two decades, and it's rare to see such a 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 about daring to demand space. The new government has used more inclusive language, and that has given a boost to their courage.
But as one activist put it to me: "Orbán being gone is like taking a boot off your neck. You can breathe, but you're still tied up." That hits the nail on the head. The legislation banning the 'promotion of homosexuality' to minors is still in force. The constitutional court, packed with Orbán's own appointees, is still there. The machinery is built to keep running.
- Symbolic victories: Pride marches can now take place without fear of police brutality, which was unthinkable just a year ago.
- The entrenched structures: The old guard still holds significant sway in the media and local administrations, where discrimination often begins.
- Economic dependency: Many in the cultural sector are still reliant on state funding, and the fear of losing their livelihood is real.
Two narratives: From the hockey bus to Budapest
While the world focuses on the major political shift in Hungary, another drama entirely reminds us that life's fragility often overshadows politics. A few weeks ago, I was glued to the screen, like everyone else, when the news of the Canada hockey bus crash broke. A tragedy that stopped an entire nation 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 about a slow strangulation that is finally starting to ease. The collective grief over the hockey crash in Canada united a country in a shared sense of feeling. That's precisely the kind of solidarity the LGBTQ+ community in Hungary has been yearning for: to be seen as a natural part of the community, not as a threat to it.
Only half the battle
It's tempting to call it a new dawn for human rights in Hungary. But the real fight is only just beginning. It's no longer about removing Viktor Orbán from office. It's about dismantling a system that has marginalised a large segment 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 1990s, 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 a question of grand ideologies. It's about being able to live your life in freedom. And even though Orbán is no longer in office, the road ahead is still long. The battle is won, but the war is far from over.