Engelstalig

• No fines for participants in Budapest Pride

  Jul 8, 2025 Marc Dirix

  Participants in the banned Pride march in Budapest on June 28 no longer have to fear fines or prison sentences. In a statement, the Budapest police announced that they will not take further legal action against the more than 200,000 people who joined the banned march.

  The announcement came as a surprise. In the days leading up to the parade, police had prohibited the event, citing a law passed in March by Viktor Orbán's government that bans all LGBTQ+ events. Participants in such “prohibited” gatherings risk fines of up to 500 euros. Organisers of LGBTQ+ events face prison sentences of up to one year. Police are also allowed to use facial recognition technology to identify and fine participants.

   

  Eventually, the mayor of Budapest, Gergely Karácsony, declared that Pride was a “municipal celebration” and could not be banned under Hungarian law. The mayor is now himself the subject of a police investigation. Observers see the police’s decision as a new and unexpected defeat for Orbán’s authoritarian policies. The record turnout at the Pride march was also seen as a strong signal of resistance to the government’s repressive stance.

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• UN renews the mandate of the Independent LGBTQ+ Expert

  Jul 8, 2025 Marc Dirix

  The United Nations Human Rights Council has renewed the mandate of the only UN human rights expert specifically tasked with addressing violence and discrimination against LGBTQ+ persons.

  Over the past months, 1,259 NGOs from 157 countries campaigned to renew the mandate, which was first created in 2016. The current resolution was introduced by a core group of six Latin American countries – Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico, and Uruguay – and co-sponsored by 50 countries from across the globe.

  This week, the Human Rights Council voted on the resolution. It was adopted with 29 votes in favour, 15 against and 3 abstentions. As a result, the mandate of the Independent Expert has been extended for another three years. It is currently held by South African scholar Graeme Reid.

  “The renewal of the mandate comes at a crucial time, as the human rights of LGBTI people are under increasing pressure worldwide, including in Europe and Central Asia,” said Chaber of ILGA-Europe. “Despite ongoing attacks on equality, we saw continued support from a significant number of UN Member States for this vital mandate. The renewal also sends an important signal to governments in Europe and Central Asia, where we are witnessing a rise in coordinated attacks on the fundamental rights of LGBTI people, under the guise of protecting tradition or public order – but in reality aimed at entrenching discrimination and silencing dissent.”

   

  Since its creation, three successive mandate holders have carried out official visits to 11 countries and published 17 reports documenting discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. These include issues such as the criminalisation of same-sex relations between consenting adults, the need for legal gender recognition, and the situation of LGBTI people who are forcibly displaced. Communications regarding human rights violations have also been sent to 171 States across all regions.

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• Record number of delegations and bilingual livestream at Antwerp Pride 2025

  Jul 4, 2025 Marc Dirix

  Antwerp Pride has unveiled the program for it's 18th edition this summer, which will take place from Thursday, August 6 to Sunday, August 10. The highlight will be the Pride Parade on Saturday.

  This year’s theme is “Do Not, Just March. Listen. Act. Commit.” “The past months have shown that we cannot lean back when it comes to human rights,” says chair Geert van Praet. “Pride is a celebration, but also a moment of awareness and commitment. Political parties, companies, schools, unions, and associations must follow through on their support beyond the festivities. Diversity and inclusion must remain a year-round priority — in the workplace, the classroom, and on the sports field.”

  Visitors are also encouraged to do more than just attend. “Listen to one another. Stand up against injustice, also internationally, and commit to every letter of the LGBTQIA+ community. Human rights are not a pick-and-choose menu.”

  This year, the parade assembly point moves to Hessenplein from 11 a.m. The parade starts at 2 p.m. and moves via Brouwersvliet to the riverfront, ending at the Love United Festival on Ledeganckkaai. A record 87 delegations will participate this year.

  There will be water stations and waste points along the route. As last year, the parade will be streamed live by Antwerp Pride’s media partners. New this year is a dedicated French-language stream with francophone hosts, so all of Belgium can join in.

  At 3 p.m., the Love United Festival opens with two stages and a wide range of DJs. Entry is free. The Pride Village with LGBTQIA+ organizations will also be on site.

  On Sunday, the Closing Festival takes over the Scheldt quays from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. with performances by Sederginne, Level Six, Sylver, DJ Kat and many more.

   

  LGBTQ bars and venues across the city will host special events throughout the week, including the traditional Midsummer Party at Café Den Draak and a spectacular edition of Woodpop at Cargo Club.

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• Darklands announces new dates

  Jul 3, 2025 Marc Dirix

  As announced, the organizers of Darklands have revealed the first details for the next edition of Europe's largest fetish festival. It will once again take place next year at the Waagnatie, but on a smaller footprint than in previous years. Be sure to mark March 3–9, 2026 in your calendar — time to dust off your best fetish outfit(s) for "Darklands Beyond".

  That is the new name under which Darklands will operate in the coming years. For a moment it looked like the Waagnatie might no longer be available, but the iconic venue on Antwerp’s docks will once again be the one and only "place to be". However, due to renovations along the docks, no tents can be set up around the Waagnatie this time. This significantly reduces the available space, which Jeroen Van Lievenoogen and his team will compensate for by building vertically. The organization emphasizes that all levels will remain accessible to those with limited mobility.

  With the announcement of the new dates, ticket sales have officially started. As in previous years, you can choose from a Daytime Festival Pass (€44), an Alpha Madness Pass granting access to the daytime festival and all parties (€139), and the Ultimate Alpha Pass (€234), which includes VIP-deck access and additional perks on top of the Alpha Madness experience.

   

  You can now also buy tickets for the various parties and the HorseFair (act fast, those usually sell out first). Lockers can also be reserved now. More details about the masterclasses and full programming will be released in the coming months.

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• Foreign Affairs updates travel advice for visitors to Budapest Pride

  Jun 27, 2025 Marc Dirix

  The Foreign Affairs Department updated its travel advice for Hungary on Thursday. Visitors to the Pride event taking place in Budapest this Saturday are being warned that they may face fines, as the march through the city center has been banned by the authorities.

  "The Hungarian government, through the Minister of Justice, has announced that the Pride March scheduled for 28 June 2025 is prohibited by law," reads the website of the Foreign Affairs Department. "It remains unclear under what conditions the Pride March will take place. Under Hungarian law, participating in a banned demonstration is, in principle, punishable by a fine of up to 200,000 Hungarian forints (approx. 500 EUR). The law also permits the use of facial recognition to identify participants."

  "In light of the above, we remind you that participation in a demonstration not authorised by the Hungarian authorities is the sole responsibility of the individual participant. We advise potential participants to exercise caution and stay informed about the current situation via the media and the social media channels of the embassy in Budapest. For their safety, participants are especially advised to avoid possible counter-demonstrations and, in case of disturbances, to follow the instructions of the local police."

   

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• Belgian Delegation Travels to Budapest Pride

  Jun 24, 2025 Marc Dirix

  The Belgian LGBTQ+ advocacy group çavaria is heading to Budapest Pride along with a delegation of activists, politicians, and journalists. However, it is still uncertain whether the march scheduled for this Saturday will actually take place. The mayor of Budapest has granted permission, but the police have issued a ban. The Hungarian government recently passed a constitutional ban on public LGBTI+ events, but local activists are refusing to be silenced. Similar delegations are expected from other European countries to help ensure that this Pride does not get quietly cancelled.

  “What is happening in Hungary today doesn’t just affect Hungarian society. It strikes at the core values of the European Union,” says Thomas Jans, spokesperson for çavaria. “With our presence, we express solidarity and also warn that hard-won rights could come under threat elsewhere — including here in Belgium.”

  The situation in Hungary is deeply concerning. For years, Prime Minister Orbán has waged a campaign against equal rights and the visibility of LGBTI+ people. Since April, it has been officially forbidden to organize LGBTI+ events such as Budapest Pride. The right to change one’s legal gender was previously revoked, and a so-called “child protection law” now bans any depiction or discussion of homosexuality or gender diversity for minors. This legislation fosters a climate of censorship, exclusion, and fear.

  Çavaria is calling on Belgian and European policymakers to take a firmer stance against this alarming trend. At the same time, their presence aims to offer encouragement to the Hungarian LGBTI+ community.

   

  To circumvent the Pride ban, Budapest mayor Gergely Karácsony has announced that the city itself will host the event. The çavaria delegation will be on site this weekend to report on the situation and connect with Hungarian activists.

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• 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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