Hungarian ‘gays’ Finally Emerge (Press, 26 May 1988)
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Summary: Hungarian ‘gays’ Finally Emerge (Press, 26 May 1988)
In Budapest, psychiatrist Lajos Romsauer has revealed his journey of coming to terms with his sexuality, stating he understood he was gay as a child, confided in someone at 20, and publicly acknowledged it at the age of 52. This admission marked a significant moment as Romsauer, who has been vocal about the taboo surrounding homosexuality in Hungary, participated in the founding of the National Association for Hungarian Homosexuals, which is the only state-recognised organisation for homosexuals in Eastern Europe. The event attracted 120 attendees and is seen as a response to societal discrimination, particularly intensified by concerns over Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Romsauer, now president of this self-funded association, expressed hopes that it will combat discrimination and shift public perceptions regarding homosexuality. He asserted that homosexuals wish to live openly rather than being marginalised. The association also prefers the internal name “Hom-Eros,” aiming to unify rather than separate its members. Romsauer noted that despite Hungary's comparatively liberal stance among Eastern Bloc countries, there remains significant prejudice. He mentioned that many of his psychiatric clients drop him upon learning he is gay, and various professionals risk job loss if their sexual orientation is revealed. The situation for homosexuals varies widely in the region, with Bulgaria, East Germany, and Czechoslovakia also struggling with acceptance, while homosexuality remains criminalised in Romania. Romsauer lamented the lack of artistic engagement on the subject in Hungary and the refusal of newspapers to publish homosexual advertisements. He positioned himself as the only Hungarian to confidently share his sexuality with the media and fought for three years to achieve official permission to form the association. The reason behind this shift in public policy, according to Romsauer, is multi-faceted, involving the dismissal of a health minister who viewed homosexuals negatively, the encouragement of "glasnost," and crucially, growing awareness of AIDS—a disease that predominantly affects homosexual men and intravenous drug users. To date, official statistics indicate five deaths from AIDS in Hungary, with eight known cases currently suffering from the disease and the virus identified in 154 individuals. Despite the association's initial focus on addressing AIDS, Romsauer emphasised its broader mission to advocate against societal and cultural discrimination, viewing the approval of the association as an important victory for homosexual rights in Hungary.
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