In a bold and ironic stand against Hungary’s latest anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, thousands of Hungarians took to the streets of Budapest dressed entirely in grey, chanting slogans like “being uniform is cool” and “death to colours.” The protest, organized by the satirical Two-tailed Dog Party, aimed to mock Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s government following its decision to ban the annual Pride march.
The demonstration took place in Heroes’ Square, where participants danced, laughed, and held sarcastic banners that ridiculed the idea of banning diversity. With everyone wearing the same dull shade, the crowd turned uniformity into a spectacle, turning the government’s message upside down.
This mass gathering followed a controversial law passed by Hungary’s Parliament in March, dominated by Orbán’s nationalist Fidesz party, claiming that Pride marches are “harmful to children.” Scheduled for late June, the LGBTQ+ community’s signature event is now under threat. While Fidesz defends the law under the banner of protecting traditional family values, critics argue it’s just another step in Hungary’s ongoing assault on democratic freedoms and human rights.
The Two-tailed Dog Party, known for its creative and often humorous activism, sarcastically stated that diversity is the root of all problems—more important than Hungary’s economic issues, housing crisis, or failing public services. Their mockery highlights what many believe is the real issue: government overreach and the suppression of free expression.
One protester, clearly playing along with the satirical tone, said, “LGBT people should be stripped of their right to assemble… only I should be allowed to express myself.” Comments like these, dripping with sarcasm, reflected the absurdity that many feel about the government’s stance.
The Two-tailed Dog Party began as a fringe movement nearly 20 years ago but gained serious attention last year when its leader, Gergely Kovacs, won a mayoral seat in a district of Budapest previously held by Orbán’s Fidesz. While the party currently holds no parliamentary seats, its rising popularity and biting criticism of the establishment have made it a force to watch in the 2026 general election.
As Hungary gears up for a pivotal political showdown, events like this protest signal a growing wave of resistance. With public dissatisfaction rising over inflation, housing shortages, and deteriorating public services, many see the government’s crackdown on LGBTQ+ rights as a distraction from more pressing national issues.
The irony-filled protest not only poked fun at the government’s intolerance but also sparked important conversations about freedom, equality, and what kind of Hungary its citizens truly want to live in.
