THE GUARDIAN: Hungary’s prime minister is once again stoking the politics of division ahead of an election
In his victory speech following a third successive election triumph in 2018, Viktor Orbán told jubilant supporters that the result gave voters “the opportunity to defend themselves and to defend Hungary”. For over a decade now, Hungary’s prime minister has skilfully galvanised his political base by cultivating a siege mentality. Three years ago, Muslim migrants were depicted as the enemies at the gates, whose entry would undermine Christian values and traditions. Other targets of choice have included George Soros, NGOs and, the Guardian’s recent Pegasus revelations appear to suggest, critical journalists placed under digital surveillance.
A new election requires a new threat. As Hungary emerges from the pandemic, Mr Orbán and his Fidesz party have entered campaigning mode ahead of a spring poll that is expected to be extremely close. Their baleful gaze has alighted on Hungary’s LGBT+ population and its potential to lead the young astray. Last month, MPs passed a law that prohibits depicting or promoting LGBT+ content to under-18s in Hungary’s schools and the media. The new legislation will heavily restrict the portrayal of LGBT+ people in the arts and entertainment, and elsewhere. Critics have compared it to Russia’s 2013 law against “gay propaganda”, which was duly followed by a disturbing increase in violence against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. » | Editorial | Tuesday. July 27, 2021
Viktor Orbán is a relatively short man (1.74m / 5’7”). Why am I not surprised? Dictators throughout history have tended to be on the short side. Adolf Hitler was just about Orbán’s height: 1.75m. Hitler tried to make Germany “judenrein*” in the Thirtie/Forties of the last century; now, we have Orbán trying to make Hungary “schwulenrein” in the Twenties of this century!
‘Judenrein’ means ‘cleansed of Jews’. I have started using the term ‘schwulenrein’, which would mean ‘cleansed of gays’. For surely that’s exactly what Orbán is trying to achieve in Hungary, even if he is not articulating the idea in such a crass way. (He knows better than to do that.) Please check out this link to the Jewish Virtual Library for 'judenrein': Judenrein.
Hungary and Poland are trying to demonize gays and rid their countries of them, or at least push them into the margins of society. Many “LGBTQ-free zones” are even being introduced! It’s truly disgusting. You will probably not be surprised to learn that Orbán is chummy with our Führer: BoJo. Is this a case of 'birds of a feather...'? – Mark
NB: The suffix ‘rein’ comes from the German verb ‘reinigen’, meaning to clean, cleanse, purify, purge or expurgate. 'Schwule' is a German word used in the vernacular meaning gays. Hence, 'schwulen' would be the adjectival form stemming from it. Ergo, 'schwulenrein' - purged of gays. – Mark
