More than 150,000 people participated in the Brussels Pride. The organization reports this on Saturday evening. The police speak of 100,000 participants, but say that people come and go. No incidents occurred during the parade.
This year’s theme for Brussels Pride was ‘Protect the protest’ and the right to demonstrate. The official start of the pride was symbolically given by a giant LGBTQIA+ flag flying at the head of the parade.
“Pride is a big party where everyone can be themselves, but a lot of things still have to be done to ensure the equality of the LGBTQIA+ community,” says Radjiny Schiltz, spokesperson for Brussels Pride. “The slogan comes from Amnesty International, which wanted to underline the importance of protest this year,” said Schiltz. “Everyone thinks that this right to protest is guaranteed everywhere, but it is absolutely not. There is still a lot to fight for freedom and diversity. Everyone should be able to be who they want to be, anywhere in the world,” says Schiltz.
With the Brussels Pride, the capital opened the European Pride season. Last year, Pride was able to take place again for the first time after a two-year postponement due to corona. Then more than 120,000 participants descended on the capital.
Various actions have already taken place in recent weeks, such as the Mini-Pride, exhibitions in the museums and buildings that were illuminated in the colors of the rainbow flag. Even today, many associations and institutions are present. They come to inform the public about the struggle of the lgbtqia+ community at home and abroad. Traditionally, the Pride Village has been set up on the Mont des Arts for this purpose. Two stages were also set up in the city center for the LGBTQIA+ artists. In total, about a hundred partners, associations and artists took part in the event in the streets of Brussels.
This edition is also dedicated to the 20th anniversary of same-sex marriage in our country. With its legalization on 1 June 2003, Belgium became the second country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage, after the Netherlands.
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The Brussels Pride is an event attended by many politicians. Likewise this year. The parties represented were MR and Open VLD, PS and Vooruit, Ecolo and Groen, PVDA/PTB, N-VA and Les Engagées. CD&V did not have its own car, but was present with a few representatives.
Prime Minister Alexander De Croo (Open VLD), present with his family, underlined the importance of the Brussels Pride and gave a speech before the departure of the Pride. “We can look with pride at how far our country is at the forefront of protecting the rights of the LGBTQIA+ community. This year we celebrate the twentieth anniversary of same-sex marriage in our country. And after Malta, we are the second country in the world in terms of equality for the LGBTQIA+ community,” says De Croo.
“However, there are many reasons to be concerned. According to ILGA Europe, this year was the year where there was the most violence in Europe against the LGBTQIA+ community. Also in our country there are politicians who discriminate and caricature the community. We must ensure that the dissenting voice of the LGBTQIA+ community can continue to be heard. Everyone should be able to live their life the way they want, without exposure to violence. It’s about human rights. We cannot and will not allow ourselves to be divided. Love Wins. Always.”
Co-chair Jeremie Vaneeckhout (Groen) points out that “the battle is never over. We’re here to allow people to be who they want to be, that’s a battle that never ends. The past has also shown that the tide can turn quickly. As Belgium, we are a global leader, but it is important to continue to send a signal.”
Jenna Boeve, Green politician and transgender activist, says that “Pride is a day to shake off all prejudices. Show yourself without shame, that’s the idea. There is still a lot of ignorance about trans bodies and the sexuality of trans people. I’m taking back my sexuality because I love Jenna and I love being her.”
CD&V did not have its own Pride car this year. Flemish Member of Parliament Orry Van De Wauwer, who attended the Pride together with Flemish Minister of Media Benjamin Dalle and Brussels Member of Parliament Bianca Debaets, says that “CD&V celebrates love during this Pride in Brussels. CD&V did not have a car this year due to miscommunication with the organisation. But we think it’s important to use this to stand up for the rights of the community. Pride is not only celebrating achievements, but also protest. In August, CD&V will again participate in the Antwerp Pride with its own car, as it does every year.”
Chairman Raoul Hedebouw (PVDA/PTB) thinks “it is an important day to send a strong signal against all forms of discrimination. Let us stop the divide and rule policy in Belgium and celebrate and protest together.”
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