Pécs, Hungary, has been a sister city of Graz since 1989. The bond between our cities thrives on exchange, friendship, and mutual solidarity—especially when fundamental and human rights come under pressure.
Under Viktor Orbán’s government, numerous measures have been implemented in recent years that severely restrict the rights of LGBTIQ people. Pride events have been made more difficult to organize, the public visibility of queer life has been attacked, and activists have been put under pressure. Just last year, Pécs Pride faced the threat of a ban, and organizer Géza Buzás-Hábel was charged by the public prosecutor’s office.
Since 2024, the RosaLila Panthers have therefore been organizing an annual bus trip to Pécs Pride, with the support of the City of Graz. Our goal is to visibly support the local Hungarian community and to send a message of cross-border solidarity.
In Pécs, in particular, every single person who takes to the streets counts. Every participant strengthens those who, despite difficult political conditions, are standing up for equality, diversity, and human rights.
We are all the more pleased about the positive developments of recent months: Following the political shift with Peter Magyar as the new prime minister, conditions for the LGBTIQ community in Hungary have improved. Pride events can once again take place as legal demonstrations, and the Hungarian public prosecutor’s office has dropped the charges.
These advances give us hope. Nevertheless, there is still much work to be done before queer people in Hungary experience full equality and social acceptance. That is why we are continuing our commitment and will once again travel from Austria to Pécs this year as a visible sign of solidarity.
Join us and support Pécs Pride by participating!
Sat, September 12, 2026 – Travel to Pécs & Parade
Sun, September 13, 2026 – Return trip to Graz
