Gay rights in Hungary

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Contents 1 Law against homosexuality 2 Protection based on sexual orientation in law 3 Recognition of same-sex couples 4 Gay life in the country 5 See also 6 External links

[edit] Law against homosexuality

The first Hungarian penal code (1878) has punished homosexuality between men ("perverse fornication"). Homosexual activity above the age of 20 was decriminalized in 1961, then above the age of 18 in 1978 by the new penal code. The age of consent (14) has been equal for both heterosexual and homosexual activity since 2002 by the Constitutional Court decision. Homosexuals are not banned from military service.

[edit] Protection based on sexual orientation in law

In 2000, the Constitutional Court recognized that the Constitutional ban on discrimination based on 'other status' covers sexual orientation as well. There exists an anti-discrimination law in the Act on Public Health since 1997. The 2003 Act on Equal Treatment and the Promotion of Equal Opportunities forbids discrimination based on (among others) sexual orientation and sexual identity in the field of employment, education, housing, health, and access to goods and services.

[edit] Recognition of same-sex couples

Hungary is the first ex-communist country and fifth in the world to legalize the same-sex partnerships.

Unregistered Cohabitation has been recognised since 1996. It applies to any couple living together in an economic and sexual relationship (common-law marriage), including same-sex couples. No official registration is required. The law gives some specified rights and benefits to two persons living together. These rights and benefits are not automatically given - they must be applied for to the social department of the local government in each case. An amendment was made to the Civil Code: "Partners - if not stipulated otherwise by law - are two people living in an emotional and economic community in the same household without being married." Inheritance and widow-pension is possible.

As of 2006, the Hungarian government (MSZP-SZDSZ) is considering openening up full registered partnership benefits for same-sex couples, from July 2007, which will give partners all the same rights as marriage, except for adoption. Hungarian liberals SZDSZ advocate full civil marriage for same-sex couples.^{[citation needed]} In some cases adoption is legal. According to the polls^{[citation needed]}, 60% of the Hungarians support the full same-sex marriage, and 50% support the jointly adoption^{[this source's reliability may need verification]}. Katalin Lévai former Minister for Equality, now MEP for MSZP advocates the full same-sex marriage.

[edit] Gay life in the country

Hungary is one of the most liberal European societies^{[citation needed]}. There is an active gay scene in Budapest, and in the rest of the country. Hungary is the host country of the upcoming Mr Gay Europe contest and the Olympic Games for Transgender in 2007.

Budapest's Gay Pride is one of the biggest in Europe^{[citation needed]}, and was also the first such event in the ex-communist bloc. Budapest Gay Days lasts at least a week in every summer with film festivals, pride, parties across the city. Budapest Gay Days Festival is often opened by the liberal mayor of Budapest or by the Minister for Equality.

However, a Eurobarometer survey published on December 2006 showed that only 18% of Hungarians surveyed support same-sex marriage and 13% recognize same-sex couple's right to adopt (quite below the EU-wide average of 44% and 33%!). [1]

[edit] See also

• Mások (monthly GLBT magazine)
• List of gay-rights organizations#Hungary
• Civil unions in Hungary

[edit] External links

• Social visibility and acceptance of LGBT people in Hungary