Viktor Orbán is out: But for Hungary’s LGBTQ+ community, the fight is only half won
For years, Viktor Orbán’s Hungary was synonymous with a hardline right-wing politics that systematically pushed the country’s LGBTQ+ community into the shadows. When the power shifted 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 here, it’s clear that optimism is met with a healthy dose of realism. For those who have had their backs against the wall for a decade, Viktor 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 daring to take up space. The new government has spoken in a more inclusive tone, and it’s given them a much-needed boost of courage.
But as one activist put it to me: “Orbán being gone is like having a knee lifted off our necks. We can breathe, but we’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, which Orbán packed with his own loyalists, is still there. The machinery is built to keep running.
- Symbolic victories: Pride marches can now take place without the fear of police brutality, which was unheard of just a year ago.
- The deep structures: The old guard still has a firm grip on 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 narratives: From the hockey bus to Budapest
While the world focuses on the major political shift in Hungary, another drama reminds us that life’s fragility often overshadows politics. A few weeks ago, I was glued to the screen, just 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 their greatest passion. It’s a reminder that even in the most privileged of societies, life is short.
For the queer Hungarians I followed today, it’s not about life and death on the ice, but a slow chokehold that is finally starting to loosen. The collective grief over the hockey tragedy in Canada united a country in a shared sense of feeling. 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 won
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 about getting Viktor Orbán out of office. It’s about dismantling a system that, for over a decade, has ostracised a large segment of the population. The heavily strained human rights in Hungary don’t just need to be restored; they need to be rebuilt from the ground up.
I asked an older woman who has been an activist since the 90s what her greatest 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 matter 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 there is still long. The battle is won, but the war is far from over.