For the first time in over a decade, Budapest’s streets were filled with the colours of the rainbow as the city held its Pride march following the collapse of Viktor Orban’s government. The British embassy in the Hungarian capital raised the rainbow flag in a show of solidarity, a move that would have been unthinkable under the previous regime.
The march, which drew tens of thousands of people, was a stark contrast to the dark years when Orban’s Fidesz party painted LGBTQ+ rights as a foreign threat. Under Orban, Pride events were often met with police harassment, counter-protests, and a government that used the word “gender” as a slur. But with the new pro-European coalition government now in power, the atmosphere was one of relief and cautious celebration.
“I never thought I would see this in my lifetime,” said Gabor, a 34-year-old teacher who marched with his partner. “For years, we were told we were an infection, a danger to children. Today, we are just people. Famous.” The crowd chanted slogans for equality and against the previous government’s “child protection” law, which banned any content that “promoted” homosexuality to minors.
The British embassy’s decision to fly the rainbow flag was a deliberate signal of support. A spokesperson said: “The United Kingdom stands with the LGBTQ+ community in Hungary and around the world. We welcome the new government’s commitment to uphold the rights of all citizens.” The gesture was praised by activists but also drew criticism from some Hungarian nationalists who accused the UK of interfering in domestic politics.
The new Hungarian prime minister, a centrist who took office after a snap election, has pledged to repeal Orban’s anti-LGBTQ+ laws and align the country with EU standards on human rights. But the road ahead is not easy. The conservative opposition, still loyal to Orban’s legacy, has vowed to resist any changes. And the rights of transgender people, in particular, remain a contentious issue.
Yet for one day, at least, Budapest felt like a different city. Shop windows displayed rainbows, cafes offered Pride specials, and for the first time, the city’s main square was filled with families, not protesters. “This is just the start,” said Anna, a 22-year-old student. “We have to make sure this government keeps its promises. But for now, I am proud to be Hungarian.”
The British embassy’s rainbow flag will fly until the end of Pride month. And for the thousands who marched, it was a symbol that the world was watching, and that change is possible – even in a country that once seemed set in stone.
