Queer resistance, repression and hope in Hungary

In recent years of the Orbán regime, attacks on the queer community in Hungary have intensified. All the more powerful, then, was the act of resistance by two Pride events that bravely and resolutely took to the streets last year, defying the ban. This article offers insight into the situation of queer rights in Hungary, focusing on the case of Géza Buzás-Hábel and including commentary from Dávid Vig, Director of Amnesty International Hungary.

Text: Laura Fischer, Co-Head of Individuals at Risk at Amnesty Switzerland

Hungary is in a state of flux. On April 12, Viktor Orbán was voted out of office after 16 years of conservative and increasingly authoritarian rule: Hungarians celebrated in the streets until the early hours of the morning. This brings relief and hope, including to the queer community. However, it remains unclear what the new government under Péter Magyar will do for LGBTQIA+ rights. Orbán and his Fidesz party had years to steadily erode human rights, weaken the rule of law, and undermine the separation of powers. To distract from the country's economic and social problems, they deliberately targeted marginalized groups, especially the queer community.

Orbán's "anti-Pride law" of April last year has caused immense damage. Passed by parliament in an expedited procedure shortly before Pride Month, it criminalizes any gathering for the rights and visibility of LGBTQIA+ people under the cynical pretext of child protection.

Cautiously hopeful

Dávid Vig, director of Amnesty International Hungary, is cautiously hopeful after the elections that this and other discriminatory laws will soon be reversed. Péter Magyar spoke in his victory speech of a Hungary for everyone, regardless of whom they love. However, Vig emphasizes: “We must ensure that the new government keeps its promises. If Magyar wants to create a free and equal Hungary, that means ending the Pride ban, the 2021 ‘ anti-LGBTQIA+ propaganda law , ’ the ban on adoptions for same-sex parents, and the ban on legal gender recognition for transgender people.”

Dávid Vig, Direktor von Amnesty International Ungarn (Bild: Amnesty)

Géza Buzás-Hábel is Roma, gay, and incredibly brave. Despite the ban, last October he organized Pécs Pride for the fifth year in a row, the only Pride event in Hungary outside of Budapest. Under the slogan "We are not afraid," 5,000 people took to the streets for equality, sending a powerful message of solidarity and community through their protest in the countryside.

Trial against Pride organizer As the organizer of Pécs Pride, Géza Buzás-Hábel quickly came under the scrutiny of the authorities. He was investigated for "organizing a prohibited assembly" and summoned by the police. On February 9, the public prosecutor's office finally filed charges. If convicted, he faces up to one year in prison. Amnesty International is currently running a petition to have his case dismissed.

Géza Buzás-Hábel (oben) organisierte im Oktober 2025 die Pècs-Pride (Bilder: Amnesty)

Dávid Vig describes the prosecution of Géza Buzás-Hábel as a low point in the country's history: "The Orbán regime has gone so far as to threaten its critics with prison: activists, opposition politicians, and even priests have been affected! A terrible escalation. It takes immense courage to stand up against this repression and to defend what is important to us." He adds: "The election of Péter Magyar alone will not stop the trial against Géza. We therefore demand and hope that the new parliament will soon lift the Pride ban."

Even the mayor is to be punished

Hungary's capital also resisted: In response to the ban, the largest Budapest Pride in history took place in June 2025, with 200,000 demonstrators. This was made possible, among other things, by the efforts of Mayor Gergely Karácsony. He attempted to bring Pride under his control as a "city festival" and thus exempt it from the government's law. Karácsony was also investigated and is expected to pay a fine.

Dávid Vig recalls: “Budapest Pride was the largest demonstration I have ever experienced. On that day, we made a decisive contribution to changing the political climate in Hungary and showed that Orbán’s authoritarian state is not as strong as it appears. If we act collectively, the government cannot and will not use violence against us. The people who took to the streets that day made it clear through their civil disobedience that Hungary will not allow the right to protest to be taken away.”

Vig wants to share this sentiment with the queer community in Switzerland: "I learned the hard way that rights aren't simply granted if we don't stand up for them. I think that might also apply to Switzerland. You can't take rights for granted; you have to fight for them every day."

The change of government in Hungary is a crucial moment in the trial against Géza Buzás-Hábel. It is now more important than ever to increase the pressure. Sign the petition now!