### **Lessons from Hungary’s Defiant Pride: Resisting Authoritarianism and Fighting for Democracy**
June was a difficult month for democracy in the U.S., marked by anti-LGBTQ+ policies, Supreme Court rulings eroding rights, and growing authoritarian tactics. While World Pride in Washington, D.C., saw low turnout due to fear of discrimination and travel warnings from allied nations, Budapest Pride in Hungary offered a powerful lesson in resistance. Despite Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s ban on Pride events—justified under the guise of “protecting minors”—over 300,000 people marched in defiance, risking fines and surveillance. This massive turnout, a tenfold increase from the previous year, was a direct rebuke to Orbán’s repression and a model for resisting authoritarianism.
### **Hungary as a Warning—and a Blueprint for Resistance**
Hungary’s descent into autocracy under Orbán—marked by corruption, media control, and election manipulation—mirrors the threats facing U.S. democracy. Donald Trump and his allies openly admire Orbán’s rule, signaling their desire to replicate Hungary’s model in America. Researchers like Harvard’s Erica Chenoweth show that nonviolent resistance, involving just 3.5% of the population, can force political change—a lesson Hungary’s LGBTQ+ movement exemplifies. Activists there used diverse tactics, from legal challenges to satirical protests like “Grey Pride,” proving that humor and creativity can disarm oppression. Crucially, they framed LGBTQ+ rights as part of a broader fight for democracy, showing that solidarity across movements is essential.
### **What Americans Must Do Now**
The U.S. cannot afford complacency. While some institutions backtrack on diversity efforts, others are mobilizing—through litigation, protests, and community organizing. Senator Chris Murphy warns that public mobilization is the only way through this crisis. Everyday actions—calling representatives, joining advocacy groups, supporting immigrants, and donating to frontline organizations—can sustain resistance. Pride’s spirit of defiance must extend beyond June, blending joy and activism to counter fear. As Hungary proves, collective courage can rewrite history. The fight for democracy isn’t just about LGBTQ+ rights; it’s about preserving freedom for all.
Ez a cikk a Neural News AI (V1) verziójával készült.
Forrás: http://www.autostraddle.com/what-queer-americans-can-learn-from-hungary/.