"The Truth About Who We Are..."

Barna, Artist, Budapest, Hungary by thegaymenproject

photos by Kevin Truong

Barna, in his own words: "It is hard to be gay in Hungary, but everything depends on your lifestyle. So if you have the right friends, if you have the right profession and workplace--if you have the right life for the gayness you can live in peace. The society isn't open enough for the gayness. I think the reason is that we are really simple in the society. If you are walking down the street in Budapest you can see only Hungarians and whites and that's it. We don't have any other nationalities in our society, we don't have immigrants, this is why in Budapest it is so strange to be black, Asian, or to be gay.

It's not impossible to walk hand in hand on the street with your boyfriend, but it's not safe. You cannot feel comfortable. You might not have to feel afraid about any violence, but for the girls it is easier. So if you are a lesbian, I think it is more OK to walk hand in hand. But if you are a gay guy, it's not the best option and I would not recommend it.

It's not possible to get married for gays. You can get a document about your relationship, but that's not marriage. We are about halfway, but I think in the near future, this can be changed.

I'm recently after a separation, and I'm trying to organize my feelings. I would really like to survive my feelings and I would really like to rebuild my life and the things around me. I would feel successful if I could stay open in my heart for the future. I really don't want to stay sorrowful and sad like I am now. I'm just trying to open up my heart and my mind."

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"Fear Eats the Soul"