You probably already know I’m Hungarian, if you’ve been reading my blog, it’s no secret. But if you don’t, let me tell you what’s been happening in my country recently. And maybe then, you’ll understand why I care so deeply about events like Pride Dive.

Hungary passed a law banning LGBTQ+ events under the pretext of “protecting children.” This includes Pride parades and even educational or cultural programs that promote LGBTQ+ visibility. The law also allows the use of facial recognition to identify attendees and threatens participants with fines and in some cases, even prison time.

Despite this, Budapest Pride 2025 went ahead on June 28th. Over 180,000 people showed up, not just from Hungary, but from across Europe. The parade became one of the largest acts of peaceful resistance the country has seen in years. It was a celebration, a protest, and a collective outcry against silence and erasure.

I wasn’t there in person. But I felt it deeply.

I’ll be honest: when I first started diving, I didn’t think much about whether the industry was inclusive or political. I just wanted to breathe underwater and find peace in the deep. But the more I traveled, the more I realized that even in remote dive sites, identity matters. Safety matters. Representation matters.

It’s about sharing bubbles with strangers who see you, respect you, and celebrate you. It’s about creating space where no one has to shrink who they are to feel safe or welcome. And coming from a country where LGBTQ+ rights are under attack, I can’t tell you how healing that kind of space feels.

So when I dive with people who fly the flag proudly, who open conversations, who make space for all identities, I feel stronger and I feel hopeful.

Diving has always been a place of peace for me. But now, it’s also becoming a place of solidarity. It was more than a calendar event. It’s a reminder that the ocean is for everyone, and no government, no law, no prejudice can take that away from us.

So whether you’re diving for peace, visibility, protest, or pure love: know that you’re not alone. We are many. We are underwater. And we are proud.