Engelstalig

• Minister Beenders criticizes VRT MAX for giving a platform to homophobic influencer

  Jun 4, 2025 Marc Dirix

  In the Social Affairs Committee, Minister for Persons with Disabilities and Equal Opportunities Rob Beenders (Vooruit) elaborated on his earlier comment regarding the documentary on the homophobic influencer Andrew Tate, which remains available on the VRT MAX streaming platform without any context.
  “Andrew Tate has a significant influence on social media and became particularly well known for his homophobic and also misogynistic statements,” said Beenders. “And it is mainly because of these statements that he has gained such a following on social media, especially among younger audiences. I find that quite concerning.”

  In the documentary, Tate’s statements are shown unfiltered. “Some of the explicit footage is deeply troubling, especially considering the impact it can have on youth. For example, the exploitation of girls to build his company and earn millions is shown uncensored — including clips in which the profits are applauded. In another scene, he presents his lifestyle as the dream of every teenage boy.”

  For Minister Beenders, these messages are problematic, and the documentary offers a one-sided perspective by only using existing footage without critical context or analysis. He is also concerned that the homophobic influencer is being given a platform via VRT MAX until the end of August to spread his homophobic and misogynistic views.

   

  However, media oversight does not fall within Minister Beenders’ remit, and he cannot officially contact VRT about the documentary. “What does fall under my responsibility is the promotion of an inclusive society and a policy focused on equal opportunities, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or other protected characteristics. In line with that mission, I will continue to work actively to protect the rights of LGBTI+ people and to combat discrimination and hate speech, both online and offline,” said the minister on Tuesday in the Social Affairs Committee.

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• Yungblud replaces Kings of Leon at Rock Werchter

  May 30, 2025 Marc Dirix

  The British singer Yungblud will replace Kings of Leon on 5 July at Rock Werchter. The festival organisers announced this on Friday. Kings of Leon are unable to perform until the end of July due to a serious injury sustained by frontman Caleb Followill.

  When the news broke, the organisers immediately started looking for a replacement for the band and found one in the form of an energetic British punk rocker.

  Yungblud will take to the main stage on 5 July and rock the festival grounds. The young Brit is kicking off a bold new chapter with ‘IDOLS’, his brand-new fourth album, released just days before Rock Werchter 2025. Dominic Harrison thus reaffirms his role as the megaphone of his generation. Songs like “I think I’m OKAY” (with Travis Barker), “Parents” and “Acting like that” (with Machine Gun Kelly) have become true Gen Z anthems. They are a mix of raw energy, rebellious rock and poetic depth.

  Rock Werchter takes place this year in the Festivalpark in Werchter from Thursday 3 July to Sunday 6 July. Artists such as Linkin Park, Green Day, Olivia Rodrigo, Sam Fender, Simple Minds, Deftones, RAYE, Iggy Pop, Noah Kahan, Gracie Abrams, girl in red and Damiano David are set to perform.

   

  Day tickets for Thursday 3, Friday 4 and Sunday 6 July are sold out. Final combi tickets are now on sale. Day tickets for Saturday 5 July are still available.

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• Beth McCarthy Gives Trans Girl Her New Name

  May 30, 2025 Marc Dirix

  A TikTok video of bisexual singer Beth McCarthy giving a trans girl her new name has gone viral and has already been viewed over three million times.

  During one of her concerts, the singer was approached by a fan holding a sign asking her to help choose a new name.
  “So your name was David, and you want me to give you a new name?”
  “I think the name Luna is beautiful.”

  The trans girl was stunned and reacted with an open mouth to her new name.
  “I was saving this name for my own child, but you are so beautiful and you shine like the moon. Do you want to be called Luna?”

  The fan shouted with all her heart that she wanted to take on the name. After a warm hug, Luna jokingly said she was now McCarthy’s child and that the singer had to adopt her. Before continuing her set, Beth dedicated the next song to Luna and knighted her with her new name:
  “David is no more, we now knight you as Luna.”

   

  Under the video, Beth McCarthy wrote that Luna would always have a place in her heart:
  “Thank you for giving me the honor of choosing your new name. I hope it helps you shine even more than you already do.”

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• Prison sentences of 15 and 6 years requested for Brussels gaybashers

  May 29, 2025 Marc Dirix

  The public prosecutor requested prison sentences of fifteen and six years on Wednesday for two men who, last year, assaulted and robbed eight gay men in Brussels.

  Between April 7 and June 23, 2024, several gay men were contacted via the dating app Grindr and lured to a park in Brussels. The profile used for this was linked to 20-year-old Rayan R. Once at the park, the victims were not only verbally abused but also beaten and robbed. They sustained serious injuries; some lost teeth and now require dental prosthetics. In addition to the physical violence, phones and bank cards were stolen—sometimes with amounts of up to €1,600 extorted. These incidents may be just the tip of the iceberg, as Brussels’ RainbowHouse reported receiving 217 complaints during and prior to this period.

  During the preliminary hearing, Rayan R. admitted to being present for most of the incidents, though he denied certain elements, such as the use of weapons or overtly homophobic statements. He claimed he was driven by a “distorted sense of justice,” believing that the men he met on Grindr posed a threat to minors. “I thought I was doing the right thing, but I attacked people who had done nothing wrong,” he admitted. He also acknowledged that he had been using alcohol and drugs and that he had created fake profiles of young men to lure his victims.

  Anas T. was also on trial alongside Rayan R. According to the public prosecutor, he was an accomplice involved in three of the assaults. A minor also helped lure the victims and is expected to appear before the juvenile court. The prosecution asked the court to convict the two for assault and battery with a discriminatory motive, threats, unlawful detention, weapon possession, extortion, and cyber fraud.

  The two defendants claimed they saw themselves as "pedo hunters" and believed—wrongly—that homosexuality and pedophilia were the same. The lawyer for Anas T. stated that his client was “mentally confused” after encountering a large amount of misinformation online.

  Unia and the NGO Ex Aequo have joined the proceedings as civil parties against the attackers. Last year, Unia did so in ten similar cases. “We intervene as a civil party to support victims and guide them throughout the legal process,” said director Els Keytsman on the occasion of the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia on May 17, in connection with the case. “These cases are particularly important because such attacks send a hostile signal to an entire community. Unia also informs the courts, so they pay attention to the discriminatory motive. The assault is then recognized not as an ordinary one, but as one with an aggravating circumstance.”

   

  The verdict is expected on June 24.

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• KU Leuven develops method to make HIV viruses permanently harmless

  May 22, 2025 Marc Dirix

  The KU Leuven research team led by Professor Debyser has achieved a breakthrough in the treatment of the HIV virus. The researchers developed a new therapeutic method that disables the virus permanently. As a result, patients would only need to take medication for a limited time. The new findings were published in Nature Communications.

  In the 1980s, an HIV diagnosis — the virus that causes AIDS — marked the onset of a pandemic that severely affected the gay community. Over the years, thanks to the development of current HIV medications, the number of deaths has significantly declined and the disease is now suppressed. Yet, 600,000 people worldwide still die each year due to HIV-related causes. “The development of HIV medication was a major leap forward, and the number of new infections has drastically dropped. Despite that, we are still dealing with a pandemic,” says Professor of Molecular Medicine Zeger Debyser. “Moreover, current medication suppresses the virus instead of destroying it, leaving patients dependent on treatment for life.”

  The KU Leuven team has now discovered a method to not only suppress the virus but make it permanently harmless, meaning patients could fully recover and no longer require lifelong treatment. Because current HIV medication must be taken for life, the stigma remains. With this new approach, which eliminates the virus entirely, treatment would only be needed for a limited period.

  Several years ago, Professor Debyser's team already made headlines by disabling the virus’s “GPS system.” “Viruses integrate into specific locations in human DNA, where they hijack our cells to produce as many virus particles as possible,” Debyser explains. “In earlier research, we managed to disable that GPS system, forcing the virus to integrate into random — and less favorable — locations, making it harder for them to spread.”

  That method is currently being tested in patients, but it is not always 100% effective. “Sometimes, the virus accidentally ends up in a favorable location in the DNA and can still spread,” explains researcher Eline Pellaers.

  “It’s like sending someone into a city by car without GPS, looking for a specific parking spot. They might find a spot by chance — not the one they were looking for, but good enough to park and enter the city.”

  The team then looked for a way to eliminate this randomness so that all patients could benefit from the treatment. By tagging the viruses with a barcode, they identified where persistent viruses integrate into the DNA. The new study focused on blocking access to those spots.

  “The new approach is based on combination therapy: the first drug disables the car’s GPS so it can’t find the optimal parking spot, and the second drug closes all the other gates so it can’t park anywhere,” Debyser explains.

  The major advantage is that the virus particles are put into a deep sleep and can no longer be reactivated. “Unlike current therapies, which only induce a light sleep in the virus, this one renders them completely harmless. Patients can stop treatment after a period without worrying about getting sick again or infecting others,” Pellaers concludes.

   

  This research was conducted on human cells in a laboratory setting. The first treatment using the GPS inhibitor is already in the clinical phase, but further research is required before the combination therapy can be tested in patients.

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• Russian court fines Apple over LGBTQ propaganda

  May 21, 2025 Marc Dirix

  A Russian court has fined Apple nearly 83,000 euros, accusing the American tech giant of committing three violations of the LGBTQ propaganda law adopted in 2013. This was reported by the press service of the Moscow court.

  Apple received three administrative fines for allegedly promoting “non-traditional sexual relationships.” Since the individual cases were handled behind closed doors, the exact nature of the violations is unknown. For each case, Apple was fined 2.5 million rubles (27,666 euros).

  Russia's 2013 law bans the dissemination of information about homosexuality or the depiction of LGBT people in the media in the presence of minors. In 2022, the law was tightened and extended to apply to all Russian citizens, not just minors. As a result, organizing LGBT events or depicting homosexuals in media or advertising is now forbidden. Any activity perceived as promoting a homosexual lifestyle — such as education, films, events, or books — now falls under the label of “gay propaganda” and can be punished with fines starting at 6,000 euros for individuals and up to 80,000 euros for companies, NGOs, and other (foreign) organizations.

   

  Last year, the Russian Supreme Court declared the “international LGBT movement” an extremist organization. According to the judges, the activities of LGBT organizations cause “social and religious unrest” and violate laws prohibiting extremism.

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• Over 70,000 participants at Brussels Pride

  May 18, 2025 Marc Dirix

  Around 70,000 people took part on Saturday afternoon in the centre of the capital in the 29th edition of the Brussels Pride parade. The full event attracted 220,000 visitors. This year’s theme was: “Unite, time to protect our rights.” The march was mostly peaceful, except for an incident involving the N-VA party’s float being pelted. Two people were arrested by police, who walked alongside the political party’s float with dozens of officers in riot gear.

  During various speeches from the stage at Mont des Arts, speakers called for the protection of LGBTQ+ rights, which are under increasing pressure worldwide. Reference was made to the ban on Pride events issued in Hungary last month. A Budapest Pride delegation called on the European Commission to take action.

  “If the Commission does not suspend the law banning all LGBTQ+ demonstrations in Hungary, other Eastern European countries will follow suit,” said Viktória Radványi, chair of Budapest Pride, in an interview with VRT NWS.

  “If the Commission fails to act, it is complicit in the restriction of basic rights of European citizens.”

  The parade proceeded without major incidents. However, from the start of the march, a heavy police presence in riot gear had positioned itself around the N-VA float, and followed it throughout. Still, at the Place de la Monnaie, the float was hit with empty bottles and paint.

  About twenty activists were removed from the parade by police for “hindering the progress of the procession,” according to authorities.

   

  The protest was organised by a group of queer activists who denounce the political and commercial co-opting of Pride, at a time when the rights of the LGBTQIA+ community and other minorities are increasingly under threat worldwide.

   

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• Belgium backs UN LGBTQI+ expert’s mandate

  May 17, 2025 Marc Dirix

  Belgium will support the renewal in June of the mandate of the United Nations Independent Expert on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity. This was announced by the Federal Public Service for Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation on the occasion of the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHOT).
  In a press release, the authorities confirm that Belgium will continue to promote and defend the human rights of LGBTQI+ people, both nationally and internationally.

  This commitment is reflected, according to the government, in active participation in multilateral coalitions, bilateral dialogues with like-minded states, and broader international cooperation. For that reason, Belgium will also support the renewal of the mandate of the UN expert on sexual orientation and gender identity.

  In 2024, the Belgian diplomatic network made a significant contribution to the implementation of the National Action Plan “For an LGBTQI+-Friendly Belgium”, of which 95% of the measures have already been implemented or are currently in progress.
  “Our embassies and consulates around the world will continue to actively support civil society initiatives upon request,” the institutions state.
  “Our diplomatic and consular posts will remain safe spaces for LGBTQI+ individuals and will support local and national initiatives, including by participating in awareness and advocacy events, such as Pride marches, in cooperation with the authorities of the respective countries.”

   

  Belgium also strongly regrets and condemns the resurgence of discrimination and violence against LGBTQI+ people, including within Europe.
  “Far too often, LGBTQI+ individuals are still targeted with violence, intimidation, stigmatization, and disinformation campaigns that incite hatred. We call on states to reject hate speech, discriminatory behavior, and all forms of violence. We firmly state that sexual orientation and gender identity can never be used to justify human rights violations.”

  photo: Pixabay

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• Belgium Climbs to Second Place on ILGA-Europe’s Rainbow Map

  May 14, 2025 Marc Dirix

  Belgium now ranks second in ILGA-Europe’s annual Rainbow Map, scoring 85%. The country surpasses Iceland (84%) and trails only Malta, which maintains the top position with 89%. Denmark (80%) and Spain (78%) complete the top five. The United Kingdom, Georgia, and Hungary have each dropped six to seven places in the rankings.

  The Rainbow Map assesses the legal and policy landscape for LGBTI people across 49 European countries, using 75 criteria divided into seven categories: equality and non-discrimination, family, hate crime and hate speech, legal gender recognition, intersex bodily integrity, civil society space, and asylum.

  Belgium's advancement is largely attributed to the adoption of laws that strengthen penalties for hate crimes, particularly those targeting trans individuals. This places Belgium among a group of countries—including Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ireland, the Netherlands, Scotland, and Sweden—that have similarly enhanced their legislation in this area.

  Among its neighbors, Belgium outperforms Germany (69%), Luxembourg (68%), the Netherlands (64%), and France (61%). However, ILGA-Europe warns of the rise of far-right movements threatening LGBTQ+ rights, even in traditionally progressive countries like Germany, Austria, and the Netherlands.

  Katrin Hugendubel, Advocacy Director at ILGA-Europe, notes:“The big headlines about the UK and Hungary draw attention, but democracy is being eroded quietly across Europe, like a thousand paper cuts. Centre and far-right actors in the EU are targeting NGO funding to weaken organisations that defend rights, while at the national level we are seeing laws introduced that do not address any genuine societal need but are designed purely to marginalise. Hungary’s constitutional amendment stating that ‘the mother is a woman and the father is a man’ and that ‘gender is defined by birth’ is a clear example.”

   

  Germany has also moved up three places, thanks to the Self-Determination Act that came into effect in November 2024. This law allows trans people to change their legal documents without invasive requirements, such as a mental health diagnosis. With a score of 69%, Germany now shares the eighth position with Greece and Norway, marking its highest-ever ranking in the index.

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• An increasing number of hate crimes against LGBTI people

  May 13, 2025 Marc Dirix

  In 2024, more than one-third of hate crimes reported to Unia and the Institute for the Equality of Women and Men targeted LGBTI individuals. Unia closed 136 cases related to sexual orientation, surpassing those concerning other protected characteristics such as race or religion.

  Among these cases, 35% involved homophobic, lesbophobic, or biphobic acts. Over a third involved physical assaults, with a similar percentage involving serious intimidation. Perpetrators are often young men targeting other men, sometimes through dating apps like Grindr.

  In at least eight instances, victims were lured, insulted, threatened with knives, assaulted, and extorted. The suspects will appear before the Brussels Correctional Court on May 14. Unia has joined this case as a civil party, as it has in ten other homophobic aggression cases since early 2024.

  “These attacks send a hostile message to an entire community. Unia informs the courts so that the discriminatory motive is considered an aggravating circumstance,” emphasizes Els Keytsman, director of Unia.

  Transgender Individuals Particularly Targeted

  The Institute handled 74 cases in 2024 related to medical or social transition, and 80 concerning gender identity. Transgender individuals are frequently discriminated against in the workplace (47 reports), as well as in the insurance and healthcare sectors.

  Anti-gender rhetoric on social media and in the media challenges their legitimacy. Hate is sometimes expressed subtly, through humor or parody, contributing to a transphobic climate.

  Reports concrning intersex individuals account for less than 1% of cases received, indicating a lack of public awareness. Yet, five children are born each day in Belgium with variations in sexual characteristics. This ignorance fosters intersexfobia, sometimes pressuring parents into consenting to unnecessary medical interventions.

  Encouragement to Report Incidents

  Unia and the Institute encourage victims and witnesses of discrimination, hate speech, or hate crimes to file a complaint with the police, where a specific report will be prepared.

  However, victims of homophobia, biphobia, or transphobia often hesitate to file complaints due to fears of coming out, being poorly received, stigmatized, or that their complaint may impact their private or professional lives.

  According to a European study, only 14% of LGBTI+ victims in Belgium report incidents to the police, indicating underreporting. Reports can also be made to Unia or the Institute, which provide support to victims.

  Call to Authorities

  During the previous legislature, each level of government developed its own action plan against LGBTI-phobia, leading to fragmented efforts. Unia and the Institute advocate for an ambitious interfederal action plan that enhances cooperation among various levels of government.

   

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