Struggles of Hungarian queer media : Negotiating LGBTQ+ in/visibility under the Orbán regime

Abstract

At the centre of this study is the ‘’Child Protection Law’’ that was adopted by the Hungarian government in 2021. This law can be seen as an anti-LGBTQ+ law since it prohibits LGBTQ+ representation for minors in the media and in schools. The Child Protection Law has been criticised as it for compromising freedom of expression. Other anti-LGBTQ+ policies and media restrictions have also taken place in Hungary during the Orbán regime, which has challenged the lives of those whose profession deals with showcasing queer themes in the media. To understand these challenges, my research question is How are Hungarian queer creators negotiating in/visibility under the Orbán regime? with sub questions a) What kind of challenges do Hungarian queer creators face under the Orbán regime? b) What routes do they find for creative expression, agency, and queer in/visibility under the restricted environment?

In this thesis I study the intersections and entanglements of the anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, the shifts in media and cultural sphere, and the in/visibility of queer people in the context of Hungary. This thesis situates in an interdisciplinary field of queer-feminist media studies and political studies. I have used a queer lens throughout the thesis as a deconstructive tool for unravelling dichotomies. The framework of my study consists of theories and literature of representation and queer in/visibility. In addition, I explore the political circumstances in Hungary to give context to the phenomena.

I have collected the empirical data of my thesis through in-depth interviewing. I interviewed five Hungarian media creators who self-identified as queers in order to sheer light to the factors that influence the creation of queer content as well as the general media sphere in Hungary. I conducted the interviews in February 2024. To analyse the data, I have used reflexive thematic analysis. Accordingly to queer and feminist methodologies—which are the standpoint of this thesis—I have used reflexivity all through this process. I discuss my own position as a researcher and producer of knowledge throughout the study.

The main three themes of my analysis are: regulations and restrictions (of creative expression), routes for agency and queer in/visibility and resisting by visibility, resisting invisibility. The first theme explores the governmental anti-LGBTQ+ legislation through the experiences of the queer creator. According to the queer creators the anti-LGBTQ+ laws have impacted the Hungarian media sphere by creating an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty where creators sometimes need to rely on self-censorship. The second theme illustrates obstacles these queer creators are facing in the production processes as well as the workarounds around them. While queer creation is restricted, the creators have found alternative routes for visibility, such as transnational solutions and independent media. The final theme highlights the importance of queer representation in resisting the oppressive regime.

The Hungarian queer creators face restrictions in their professional lives. Among restriction they have found new routes for agency and creative expression. Nevertheless, they worry for their futures within these on-going dynamics, where their identities and professional lives are entangled with the policies that keep regulating their visibility and existence.