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 hard-right politics that systematically pushed the country’s LGBTQ+ community into the shadows. When power changed hands in Budapest, many breathed a sigh of relief. Finally, a light at the end of the tunnel. But after talking with people on the streets here, it’s clear that optimism is tempered by a heavy dose of realism. For those who’ve had their backs against the wall for a decade, Orbán’s exit is only half-time.

A new era? The joy is palpable

There’s no doubt the mood has shifted. I’ve covered 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 about just surviving in the shadows, but about daring to demand space. The new government has used more inclusive language, which has given them a boost of courage.

But as one activist told me: "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 in effect. The constitutional court, packed with Orbán’s appointees, is still there. The machinery was built to keep running.

• Symbolic wins: Pride marches can now go ahead without the fear of police brutality, something unthinkable just a year ago.
• The deep-seated structures: The old guard still holds significant sway in the media and local administrations, where discrimination often begins.
• Economic dependence: Many in the cultural sector still rely on state funding, and the fear of losing their livelihood is very real.

Two stories: From the hockey bus to Budapest

While the world focuses on Hungary’s major political shift, 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 news of the Canada hockey bus crash broke. A tragedy that brought an entire nation to a standstill in the midst 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’s not about life or 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 feeling. That’s exactly the kind of solidarity the LGBTQ+ community in Hungary has craved: 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 fight is only just 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 office, the path to that is still long. The battle is won, but the war is far from over.