The election of Donald Trump as U.S. President has had a profound effect on the global conversation about LGBTQ rights, encouraging anti-LGBTQ movements across Europe. Concerns have grown sharply in countries like Hungary and Romania, where critics worry that “the genie has been let out of the bottle.”
Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban, a close associate of Trump, has been methodically curbing LGBTQ rights under the pretense of “child protection.” Notably, Orban admitted that the recent push to ban Budapest’s Pride march only became feasible after Trump’s return to office, reflecting a major change in international political currents.
The passage of the Pride ban law in Hungary has sparked widespread protests in Budapest, with thousands of demonstrators taking to the streets every week. The law, which has drawn strong criticism from both the European Union and the United Nations, was further reinforced by a constitutional amendment.
For LGBTQ families in Hungary, the law has created an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty, as seen through the experiences of individuals like Bogadi, a mother whose transgender son faces daily challenges. Despite these hardships, LGBTQ activists remain resolute, with many planning to continue with the Budapest Pride march, regardless of the legal restrictions.
Far-Right Surge and Populist Rhetoric Intensify LGBTQ Persecution Across Eastern European Nations
LGBTQ activists in Hungary and across Eastern Europe are increasingly concerned about the growing influence of the far-right. In Hungary, this has manifested in the persecution of LGBTQ minorities, with figures like Nikolett Hollosy warning of a “creeping dictatorship.” The emboldened far-right, inspired by figures like Trump, has joined forces with authoritarian leaders to push back against LGBTQ rights.
This climate of hostility is further exacerbated by Hungary’s close ties to Russia, where LGBTQ rights have been severely restricted under Vladimir Putin’s leadership. As a result, LGBTQ individuals feel increasingly vulnerable, facing hatred and violence fueled by populist rhetoric.
Anti-LGBTQ Backlash Intensifies in Eastern Europe Amid Trump’s Influence and Far-Right Resurgence
The global rise of anti-LGBTQ rhetoric, particularly following Trump’s presidency, has made life more difficult for LGBTQ people in Eastern Europe. Activists like Adam Andras Kanicsar, a gay journalist in Hungary, express their fear of the “uninhibited hatred” unleashed by this political climate.
Kanicsar warns that while such attitudes have been present for years, Trump’s rhetoric has made them more vocal and widespread. This growing hostility is not limited to Hungary but is also felt in neighboring countries like Romania, where LGBTQ communities are grappling with increasing violence and discrimination, fueled by the rise of far-right politics and a growing anti-LGBTQ discourse.
Romania and Slovakia See Sharp Rise in Anti-LGBTQ Hostility Amid Far-Right Gains
In Romania, LGBTQ activists like Florian-Mihail Paun are deeply concerned about the future of the country’s Pride march. With the return of Trump to power, Paun’s group, Accept, has received numerous reports of violence, threats, and hostility towards the LGBTQ community.
Romania’s political climate is increasingly hostile to LGBTQ rights, as reflected by the success of far-right parties and the government’s support for “traditional Christian values.” The situation is compounded by Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu’s dismissal of “woke” identity politics, further marginalizing the LGBTQ community. With civil partnerships and same-sex marriage still outlawed, Romania’s LGBTQ community faces an uphill battle for equality.
Slovakia, too, is grappling with rising anti-LGBTQ sentiment, especially following the 2022 murder of two men in Bratislava by the son of a prominent far-right politician. Despite hopes for greater support after the tragedy, Slovakia’s LGBTQ community has faced more intense opposition. Prime Minister Robert Fico, recently returned to power, has ramped up anti-LGBTQ rhetoric, even proposing a constitutional amendment that would recognize only two sexes—male and female.
This rhetoric mirrors that of Hungary and Russia, where leaders like Orban and Putin have cultivated a climate of fear and hatred toward LGBTQ people. The increase in anti-LGBTQ propaganda has had devastating consequences, including a tragic suicide in Slovakia, underscoring the real-world impacts of this hostile political environment.
