Hungarian Rainbow Family Invites Viktor Orbán: A Bold Call for Dialogue

In a surprising turn of events, a Hungarian rainbow family has extended an invitation to Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, urging him to witness their everyday life and understand the challenges they face. The invitation follows a meeting between Orbán and Alice Weidel, co-chair and chancellor candidate of the far-right German party Alternative für Deutschland (AfD). Notably, Weidel herself is in a same-sex partnership and has two children.

During the press conference following her meeting with Orbán, Weidel stated, “For me, family is where the children are, and everyone should live freely according to their needs, without state interference in family matters.” Her words resonated with many, despite the AfD’s emphasis on traditional family values.

Among those who took note was Pál Márton, one of the faces behind Hungary’s #acsaládazcsalád (“Family is Family”) campaign. Responding to the press conference, Márton posted an invitation to Orbán on social media: “I was pleased to see the Prime Minister warmly welcome a member of a German rainbow family, even if she leads a far-right party. We would be happy to host you, Mr. Prime Minister, so you can meet our 3-year-old daughter and 8-year-old son. We’d like to show you how we live and share the legal and social challenges faced by more than 2,000 rainbow families raising 4,125 children in Hungary.”

Márton’s message concluded with a powerful reference to Orbán’s pre-meeting statement on social media: “Berlin has always been a city of walls. It’s time to tear down another one!” Addressing the Prime Minister directly, Márton added, “Walls have also been built around us here in Hungary, and through this meeting, we would gladly help tear them down. After all, family is family.”

This open invitation comes amid ongoing debates about LGBTQIA+ rights in Hungary, where the constitution defines family as consisting of a father, a mother, and their children. Against this backdrop, Márton’s gesture stands as a bold call for empathy and understanding.

As the story gains traction, the question remains: Will Viktor Orbán accept the invitation and take the first step toward breaking down the barriers that continue to divide Hungarian society?

This story originally appeared in Humen magazine and is republished by KET.brussels as part of its membership in ELMA, the European LGBTQIA+ Media Association.