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

    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

    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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  • Brussels Pride Week has kicked off

    Marc Dirix

    On Wednesday evening, the annual Pride Week in Brussels kicked off with a mini-pride march through the city centre. During the demonstration, which gathered around a hundred participants, attention was drawn at various stops to the ongoing attacks against the LGBTQ community – especially the trans community – which have intensified in recent years. This year’s Brussels Pride theme is: “Unite, time to protect our rights.”

    The mini-pride began at the mural honouring Ihsane Jarfi, a man from Liège who was murdered in 2012 because of his sexual orientation. After several speeches, the participants marched behind the rainbow flag and flags representing various communities – including the trans flag – to the LGBTQ+ monument at the corner of Rue du Marché au Charbon and Rue du Plat d’Étain. More speeches were held there. From there, the group continued to the LGBTQ community centre Le Grand Carmes, where many events are scheduled throughout the coming week.

    The mini-pride marks the official start of a week full of events, culminating in the Pride Parade that will take place next Saturday in the heart of Brussels. More than 180,000 participants are expected to attend.

     

    Before that, over 60 activities are scheduled, including talks, concerts, film screenings, exhibitions, and various workshops.

    Photo: GayliveBe

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  • Police raid well-known LGBTQ+ bar in Pittsburgh

    Marc Dirix

    Last Friday, the police in Pittsburgh raided a well-known LGBTQ+ bar, the P Town Bar, during an ongoing drag show. According to the owners and present customers, the surprise inspection was reminiscent of the police raids on LGBTQ+ venues in the 1960s and 70s.

    Around twenty officers, including several undercover agents, took part in the raid, which began around 11:30 p.m. Customers and staff were forced to wait outside while the police searched the entire building. According to the owners, several agencies were involved, including the fire department and public health services, and all permits were checked. The venue’s managers explained that the inspection was related to a recent renovation and a renewed permit application.

    Despite this explanation, many customers felt targeted and unfairly treated by the police. They had to wait for about half an hour in heavy rain before being allowed back inside. The authorities of Pittsburgh stated that the raid had not been authorized and have launched an investigation.

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  • Trans women banned from women’s football in the UK

    Marc Dirix

    As of June 1st, trans women will no longer be allowed to play on women’s football teams in the United Kingdom. This decision was made by the English Football Association (FA) following a ruling by the High Court. The court ruled last month that, from a biological standpoint, trans women cannot legally be defined as female, and therefore may no longer access public facilities designated for women.

    Several British organizations, including the FA, have begun updating their internal regulations in response to the ruling.Transgender football players have condemned the FA’s decision to ban trans women from women’s football, calling it uninformed.

    The bank Barclays also announced this week that, starting June 1st, trans women will no longer be permitted to use women’s restrooms in its buildings

    Photo: Pexels

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  • Leuven to host another Pride this autumn

    Marc Dirix

    After the success of the first edition of Leuven Pride, a second edition is coming this September. It will take place on Saturday, September 27, as announced by the organizers UniQue and Queer Leuven.“After the powerful edition in 2024, we are continuing to build a tradition of visibility, love, and activism,” the Leuven Pride social media channels stated.

    On October 10 of last year, the first pride parade marched from Leuven Station to the Saint Peter’s Church at the end of Bondgenotenlaan. No fewer than 1,200 activists joined the parade. The success also surprised UniQue chairwoman Ingrid Pelssers:

    “We thought: 400 would be normal, 500 would already be a huge success. But there were about 1,200 people here. It was such a long procession — we never expected that. So yes, truly a success.”

    It was therefore written in the stars that a second edition of Pride in Leuven would happen. This year, the event will move to a Saturday instead of a weekday.

    The familiar format will not change, according to both organizations.“No large floats, but a combative and festive march that goes back to the roots of Pride. Cargo bikes, flags, and glitter (biodegradable if possible) are more than welcome.”

    After the march, participants can once again head into the city for an afterparty that will take place at various locations. More information about the program will be announced soon.

     

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  • Last Polish LGBTQ-free zone abolished

    Marc Dirix

    Six years after the first LGBTQ-free zones were introduced in Poland, the last such zone was abolished on Thursday.

    The city council of Łańcut, in the southeast of Poland, decided last Thursday to overturn the regulations introduced by the previous government, which had been dominated by the far-right Law and Justice Party (PiS).

    Since their introduction, the LGBTQ-free zones had been under heavy criticism from Europe. Several Polish regions lost subsidies because the zones violated European anti-discrimination rules and were considered a breach of European values.

    Polish courts also ruled the regulations surrounding LGBTQ-free zones unconstitutional, stating that local authorities had overstepped their powers by declaring themselves LGBTQ-free.

    In June 2022, the Supreme Administrative Court ruled that the resolution in question was a “violation of the dignity, honor, good name, and private life of certain groups of residents.”

    The court also specified that it was the duty of the government to protect all citizens, including those belonging to minority groups.

     

    As a result of this ruling, more than half of the LGBTQ-free zones were repealed. Łańcut remained the last city to maintain such a zone.

     

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  • No new season, but a final film for Heartstopper

    Marc Dirix

    The Netflix series Heartstopper will not get a fourth season, but instead a final film. This was announced by the streaming platform and the production company See-Saw Films.

    “Today marks exactly three years since we first met Nick and Charlie on our screens, and we’re excited to announce that their love story will conclude with a film, which will go into production this summer.”

    The film will be based on the upcoming sixth volume of the Heartstopper graphic novel series by Alice Oseman, as well as the novella Nick and Charlie. Although filming is set to begin this summer, Oseman — who is also the executive producer of both the series and the film — is still in the process of writing the final chapter of Nick and Charlie’s story.

    Both Kit Connor and Joe Locke will return one last time as the beloved teenage couple. In an Instagram post, Oseman revealed that the script for the film is already finished, and preparations are currently underway.

     

     

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  • UK: Protest against Supreme Court ruling on trans women.

    Marc Dirix

    Thousands of activists demonstrated in London on Saturday against the Supreme Court’s ruling. The court ruled that, under the law, trans women are not considered women. As a result, trans women are no longer allowed to use public toilets and spaces designated for women. They can also be searched by male security officers at border crossings. According to the Supreme Court, other laws exist that protect trans women from discrimination.

    Thousands of activists, including many trans activists, took part in the demonstration at Parliament Square, alongside business and employers’ organizations and public institutions. Among the groups present were Trans Kids Deserve Better, Pride In Labour, the Front For The Liberation Of Intersex Non-binary And Transgender People (FLINT), and TransActual. The protest featured many transgender flags and slogans calling for “trans liberation” and “trans rights.” During the demonstration, about seven statues, including one of suffragette leader Millicent Fawcett, were defaced with graffiti.

     

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