Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Of all the cities in the former eastern bloc, Budapest perhaps has the most active gay
scene, albeit still very underground compared to its Western counterparts. The city's
annual Pride event is one of the most established and well attended in the region and
equalityisformalisedbylaw-theageofconsentis14forhomosexualsandheterosexu-
als alike, while, in 2009, Parliament passed a new bill allowing registered partnerships
forsame-sex couples. However therehasbeen adistinct chill since 2010,asthepopular
conservative government pushestheideathatthegoodHungarian isstraight andGod-
fearing - the 2012 Constitution stressed that marriage is between opposite-sex couples.
So even though Budapest is a cosmopolitan city, gays must still tread warily and lesbi-
ans even more so.
Gay venues are mostly to be found within the Nagykörút - there is a collection of bars off
Kossuth Lajos utca in the Belváros too. The major event in the gay calendar is Budapest
Pride , a well-established week-long festival taking place in June and culminating in the col-
ourful Pride March at the weekend. The threat of disruption by right-wing groups means that
the march now takes place between barriers along a carefully policed route, but the parti-
cipants are determined not to let this dampen their spirits. At the big Sziget festival in August
there is a gay tent, the Magic Mirror. There are also two events in November, LIFT (Lesbian
Identities Festival) and an LGBTQ film festival at the end of the month - though the present
conservative climate has put the financial squeeze on any such “disapproved” events.
Budapest's gay scene is very male-dominated. Perhaps the best spots for lesbians are Club
93 and Why Not - though there are a couple of lesbian groups that hold regular events: Lab-
risz ( labrisz.hu/english ) and Ösztrosokk, that arrange parties at various venues, usually on
the second Saturday of every month (10pm-4am; entry from 1000Ft; osztrosokk.hu ).
As far as accommodation is concerned, the major hotels should all welcome gay guests, or
you can go through the website gaystay.net , which handles flats and also books rooms in
the KM Saga guest house (IX, Lonyay utca 17; km-saga.hu ) .
ESSENTIALS
Information ThelargestgayandlesbianorganizationintownisHattér,whichrunsahelpline
(daily 6-11pm; 1 329 3380, hatter.hu ) offering advice and information on events - al-
though some of the operators only speak Hungarian.
Listings and websites You can find listings for places and events in English in the gay free-
bie monthly Company found at most gay venues. The Magnum Szauna website ( magnum-
szauna.hu ) has a very useful and up-to-date section on the city's best gay restaurants, bars,
clubs and so on. The website gayguide.net has the latest on gay accommodation, bars,
clubs, restaurants, baths and events in the city. It is also worth looking at the website bud-
apestpride.hu , though it is not always up to date on events.
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