Viktor Orbán is Out: But for Hungary’s LGBTQ+ Community, the Fight is Only Half Won
For years, Viktor Orbán's Hungary stood as a symbol of hardline right-wing politics that systematically pushed the country's LGBTQ+ community into the shadows. With the shift in power 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 here, it's clear that this optimism is tempered with a heavy dose of realism. For those who've had their backs against the wall for a decade, Viktor Orbán's departure is only half-time.
A new era? The excitement is palpable
There's no denying the mood has changed. Having covered Eastern Europe for two decades, it's rare to see such a mix of relief and anxiety. 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 take up space. The new government has been using more inclusive language, and that's given a real boost to their confidence.
But as one activist put it to me: "Orbán being gone is like having a foot taken off your neck. 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 in place. The constitutional court, which Orbán stacked with his own loyalists, is still there. The machinery was built to keep running.
- Symbolic wins: Pride marches can now take place without the fear of police brutality, something unthinkable just a year ago.
- The heavy structures: The old guard still has a firm grip on the media and local administrations, where discrimination often starts.
- Economic dependence: Many in the cultural sector are still dependent on state funding, and the fear of losing their livelihood is very real.
Two narratives: From the hockey bus to Budapest
While the world is focused on the big political shift in Hungary, another drama serves as a reminder 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 brought an entire nation to a standstill in the middle of their greatest passion. It's a reminder that even in the most privileged societies, life is short.
For the queer Hungarians I followed today, it isn't about life and death on the ice, but about a slow strangulation that is finally starting to ease. The collective grief over the hockey bus crash in Canada united a country in a shared emotion. That sense of togetherness is exactly what 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 won
It's tempting to call this a new dawn for human rights in Hungary. But the real battle is just beginning. It's no longer about getting Viktor Orbán out of office. It's about dismantling a system that has ostracised a large portion of the population for over a decade. The deeply strained human rights situation in Hungary doesn’t just need to be restored; it needs to be rebuilt from the ground up.
I asked an elderly 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 in freedom. And even though Orbán is no longer in the chair, the road ahead is still long. The battle is won, but the war is far from over.