Szetey Gabor, a member of Hungary's Socialist Party, has broken convention by becoming the first governing politician in Hungary to come out as gay.Gabor stepped from the closet Thursday night as he opened the 12th Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered Film and Cultural Festival in Budapest.
Gabor said in his speech: "I am the personnel state secretary of the government of the Republic of Hungary. I believe in God, love, freedom and equality. I am Hungarian and European. I am an economist and a personnel leader. I am a partner, a friend, sometimes an opponent. And I am gay."
His announcement came on the same day as junior coalition member the Alliance of Free Democrats announced it will ask for same-sex unions to be legalized.
He has been working as a state secretary at the prime minister's office since last July. His inspirational announcement provoked a terse response from his peers. Tibor Navracsics, parliamentary caucus leader of main right-of-center opposition party Fidesz, said his party considered Gabor's sexuality a private matter.
The 38-year-old politician admitted it took him 28 years to accept his sexuality. It was a topic he was unable to discuss with his now deceased mother.
Gabor hopes his public coming out will make it easier for other Hungarians to do the same. He is the second Hungarian politician to come out publicly after Klara Ungar, a member of the liberal party SZDSZ.
Hungary is one of the more progressive Eastern European countries, but while Budapest has a functioning gay scene, the country still has a long way to go.
Common-law same-sex marriage was approved by the country's parliament by a wide margin in May 1996. This is best described as a halfway house to same-sex marriage. Inheritance, widow's pension and immigrant rights are possible but not automatic.
Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany avoided firm answers when asked by reporters Wednesday whether Socialists supported the introduction of registered life partnerships.
"One of the most delicate social questions is how we adapt to changes," Gyurcsany said.
Hungary is the host country of the forthcoming Mr. Gay Europe contest and the Olympic Games for Transgender in 2007.
Gabor said in his speech: "I am the personnel state secretary of the government of the Republic of Hungary. I believe in God, love, freedom and equality. I am Hungarian and European. I am an economist and a personnel leader. I am a partner, a friend, sometimes an opponent. And I am gay."
His announcement came on the same day as junior coalition member the Alliance of Free Democrats announced it will ask for same-sex unions to be legalized.
He has been working as a state secretary at the prime minister's office since last July. His inspirational announcement provoked a terse response from his peers. Tibor Navracsics, parliamentary caucus leader of main right-of-center opposition party Fidesz, said his party considered Gabor's sexuality a private matter.
The 38-year-old politician admitted it took him 28 years to accept his sexuality. It was a topic he was unable to discuss with his now deceased mother.
Gabor hopes his public coming out will make it easier for other Hungarians to do the same. He is the second Hungarian politician to come out publicly after Klara Ungar, a member of the liberal party SZDSZ.
Hungary is one of the more progressive Eastern European countries, but while Budapest has a functioning gay scene, the country still has a long way to go.
Common-law same-sex marriage was approved by the country's parliament by a wide margin in May 1996. This is best described as a halfway house to same-sex marriage. Inheritance, widow's pension and immigrant rights are possible but not automatic.
Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany avoided firm answers when asked by reporters Wednesday whether Socialists supported the introduction of registered life partnerships.
"One of the most delicate social questions is how we adapt to changes," Gyurcsany said.
Hungary is the host country of the forthcoming Mr. Gay Europe contest and the Olympic Games for Transgender in 2007.
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