Hungary’s LGBTQ+ Community Pushes for Rights Restoration After Years of Restrictions

Hungary’s LGBTQ+ community is preparing for its annual Pride march in Budapest, with activists calling for the restoration of rights that were curtailed during the 16-year rule of former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. Last year’s Pride event evolved into a major anti-government demonstration after authorities attempted to ban it, drawing tens of thousands of participants.

This year’s march has been officially authorized following the election victory of Prime Minister Peter Magyar’s centre-right Tisza party. While organisers welcomed the lifting of restrictions, they stressed that significant work remains to reverse policies introduced under the previous government, including limits on gender recognition, same-sex adoption and LGBTQ+-related educational materials.

Activists say the impact of those measures continues to affect the community. Many are urging the new government to address past legislation and strengthen protections for LGBTQ+ individuals. Although Magyar has called for patience regarding legal reforms, he has publicly criticised attempts to restrict public assembly and argued that the state should not interfere in citizens’ private lives.

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