The main conclusion is clear: according to Forbidden Colours, the anti-gender movement is no longer a marginal or regional phenomenon. It is present in every European country and continues to expand. The organisation warns that the anti-gender movement now threatens not only the rights of the people it targets, but also the democratic institutions and rule of law on which the protection of those rights depends.

The current pressure on various LGBTQI+ rights is also evident from recent developments in countries including the United States and Turkey. In the United States, several states as well as the federal government have taken measures restricting access to gender-affirming care for transgender young people. In Turkey, police carried out large-scale operations in September targeting LGBTQI+ organisations, activists and other members of the community.

During their speeches to the United Nations General Assembly, both US President Donald Trump and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan also targeted issues surrounding transgender rights and gender. Erdoğan lashed out at what he described as a global policy of "gender neutralisation", which he claims threatens children and the traditional family. Trump, meanwhile, criticised the United Nations for what he said was its criticism of the United States over America's fight against what he calls "transgender insanity" and the "transgender mutilation of children".

During his visit to the Stonewall Inn in New York, openly gay Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten also warned that LGBTQI+ rights are under pressure around the world. He pointed out that attacks on LGBTQI+ rights are, in his view, often followed by attacks on the rights of other minorities.

According to the Forbidden Colours study, by the end of 2025 none of the 47 countries examined remained in the lowest category of what the organisation calls "anti-gender contamination". According to the report, the anti-gender movement has spread across the continent and is no longer confined to countries commonly associated with the rollback of LGBTQI+ rights. In addition to Russia, Hungary, Azerbaijan, Turkey and Georgia, the report identifies Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom as being among the countries heavily affected. France, Germany and other countries in Western and Northern Europe are also strongly affected.

One striking conclusion is that, according to the authors, strong LGBTQI+ and women's rights do not guarantee protection against regression. Countries that have made substantial progress can themselves see the emergence of a powerful counter-movement.

According to the report, another shift is also taking place. Anti-gender movements are no longer limiting themselves to protests and social campaigns, but are increasingly seeking to exert influence through courts, parliaments, governments and regulation. The authors link this development to the rise of far-right parties that are bringing anti-gender positions into parliaments and governments.

The report's central warning is that the consequences often only become visible after such a movement has spent years growing stronger within society. A country can therefore still have relatively progressive legislation while, according to the researchers, a powerful movement is already present and seeking to eventually reverse that legislation.

Anti-gender movement rapidly gaining ground in Belgium

In its Hate Review report, Forbidden Colours also presents a country profile for each of the 47 countries examined. According to the Belgian country profile, the anti-gender movement emerged relatively late in Belgium but is now undergoing rapid acceleration.

Because Belgium introduced progressive legislation relatively early, including same-sex marriage in 2003, adoption rights in 2006 and the Transgender Act in 2017, these legislative advances preceded the European anti-gender wave. According to the report, this meant that conservative actors had fewer opportunities to mobilise during the 2000s and early 2010s. The movement remained limited and fragmented and was concentrated mainly within Catholic pro-life circles and marginal far-right groups.

According to the report, the decisive turning point came with the EVRAS controversy of 2022 and 2023. In September 2023, the Parliament of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation approved, almost unanimously, regulations that further established and structured the implementation of EVRAS, Éducation à la Vie Relationnelle, Affective et Sexuelle, or relational, emotional and sexual education, in French-speaking schools.

Catholic traditionalists, conservative Muslim organisations, anti-vaccination networks and groups associated with conspiracy theories were among those who mobilised against EVRAS. The controversy escalated in September 2023 and was also accompanied by acts of violence against schools.

At the same time, according to the report, anti-"woke" and anti-trans narratives found their way into mainstream party politics. The report names Vlaams Belang, N-VA and MR in this context. The formation of the Arizona coalition in 2025 under Prime Minister Bart De Wever is regarded by the authors as an important consolidation of this shift. According to Forbidden Colours, Belgium therefore finds itself at a crossroads between its progressive legal legacy and an increasingly intense culture-war dynamic.

The full Hate Review report is available on the Forbidden Colours website.

The LGBTQI+ movement in Turkey had called for a global day of protest. Solidarity has been widespread, with demonstrations taking place in more than 50 European cities this weekend. Brussels based queer and trans collective heralde. organised the protest in Brussels. LGBTQI+ and human rights organisations including çavaria, Prisme, ILGA-Europe, IGLYO, Amnesty International Vlaanderen and Sensoa supported the protest and were present.

Together, they called for the immediate release of the detained LGBTQI+ people and activists. They also appealed directly to Prime Minister Bart De Wever and Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot, urging them to use all available diplomatic means on behalf of Belgium to address the issue with the Turkish government.

"We are here to support our community in Turkey", says Gizem Özbek (she/he/they), founder of heralde. in Belgium. "They are currently facing an entire smear campaign. We are here to amplify their voices, to show that they are not alone and that we will not go along with the Turkish government's smear campaign, which was launched solely to distract people from the real problems in our country."

"This is not an isolated case", says Yves Aerts Jacobs, general coordinator at çavaria. "We are seeing the same movement emerge in different places: LGBTQI+ people are portrayed as a threat to families and to society. Organisations that stand up for their rights are depicted as dangerous or immoral. That rhetoric is then used to restrict their freedoms. We have seen this happen in several countries, in Russia, in Hungary. And now the LGBTQI+ movement in Turkey is being targeted."

"That is why we cannot remain silent. When activists ask for our support, we as LGBTQI+ and human rights organisations show our solidarity. We expect the same from our government."

Large scale repression

Last weekend, the Turkish government carried out a large scale operation against the LGBTQI+ movement in Turkey. Police raided activists, organisations and queer venues. Social media accounts were taken offline and websites were blocked. At least 150 people, including journalists and lawyers, were arrested. They are accused of "obscenity", "harming" young people and establishing "criminal organisations".

According to the latest figures, more than 160 people were detained, including 68 activists and human rights defenders. Of those 68, at least 33 are reportedly still in detention.

This is the latest in a series of attacks by the Erdogan government on the LGBTQI+ community in Turkey. Pressure has been increasing for years. Pride marches have repeatedly been banned or subjected to police intervention, the rights of trans people are being restricted through new laws, and LGBTQI+ organisations are being prosecuted and shut down.

Photo: çavaria

The Turkish authorities' crackdown on LGBTQ+ activists is part of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's "Decade of the Family" initiative. The Minister of Justice confirmed this. Last weekend, police raided several gay bars and nightclubs frequented by LGBTQ+ people. Police also raided the homes of more than ten members of the LGBTQIA organization Kaos GL. "As part of the 'My Family Is Safe' operations, carried out in cooperation with our police and gendarmerie services, judicial proceedings have been initiated against 162 suspects, 9 associations and 13 companies across a total of 15 provinces," including Istanbul and Ankara, Turkish Justice Minister Akin Gürlek wrote on X on Sunday.

On Monday, Engelliweb reported that the social media profiles of several human rights organizations had been blocked. That same day, police reportedly used pepper spray against peaceful protesters in İzmir. Two protesters were detained and later released. On Tuesday, demonstrators gathered outside the courthouse in Çağlayan to protest the recent raids and arrests. Turkish police detained at least 150 people, including journalists and lawyers.

The crackdown has prompted numerous reactions from abroad. On Monday, the European Union had already expressed concern over the earlier arrests. Amnesty International also strongly condemned the developments in Turkey.

"This appalling escalation in Türkiye's crackdown amounts to a full-scale assault on LGBTI rights and those who defend them. The relentless raids, arrests and demonization of LGBTI people under the spurious guise of 'protecting the families' demonstrates why defending LGBTI rights in Türkiye is more important than ever," said Esther Major, Amnesty International's Deputy Regional Director for Europe.

"This sweeping crackdown, in which scores of people have been arrested, has nothing to do with protecting families and everything to do with further harming and stigmatizing a community that has battled decades of discrimination and intimidation."

As protests within Turkey grow and international condemnation mounts, it is clear that the Turkish authorities intend to intensify the crackdown. On Monday, the Ministry of Justice sent a circular to 175 chief public prosecutors in all 81 Turkish provinces regarding content and activities that the ministry considers contrary to "public morality" and harmful to families, children and young people.

Homosexuality is not illegal in Turkey, but homophobia is widespread, including at the highest levels of the state. President Erdoğan regularly describes LGBTQ+ people as "perverts" and blames them for the country's declining birth rate.

Until 2020, both married couples and single people were allowed to adopt in Hungary. Because two men or two women cannot marry in Hungary, same sex couples could not adopt jointly. There was, however, a way around this restriction: one partner could legally adopt a child as a single person. In practice, this meant that gay men and lesbians could become adoptive parents.

Viktor Orbán's government changed the system at the end of 2020. Since 1 March 2021, the general rule has been that a child is adopted by a married couple. Since marriage in Hungary is only open to a man and a woman, this automatically excludes joint adoption by same sex couples. Single people cannot simply adopt either. An exception currently exists, but they need special permission from the minister responsible for family policy. This means that the decision is not made exclusively by professional adoption services.

Last Saturday, Prime Minister Péter Magyar announced that the changes introduced by Orbán would be reversed. According to Reuters, Magyar said that adoption decisions should once again be made by professionals rather than politicians. 

According to Magyar, the rules should be changed because it should be up to professionals, rather than a minister, to assess whether the conditions and support a particular child needs in order to grow up happy and well balanced can be provided.

This year's biennial international event was held under the theme "Pride: Unity." Amsterdam was selected as the host city to mark the 25th anniversary of the world's first legal same sex marriage, which took place in the Dutch capital.

Thousands of participants and spectators joined the WorldPride March on Saturday afternoon. The procession started at Martin Luther King Park before making its way through the streets of Amsterdam and ending at Museumplein, where the WorldPride Concert was already in full swing. Performers included Olly Alexander (Years & Years), Lion Babe and reggae icon Diana King.

The march also celebrated the Netherlands becoming the first country in the world to legalise marriage between same sex couples.

During the past two weeks, more than 450 events were organised, including a Pride Walk, the famous Canal Parade, the UNITY Concert on Museumplein and the Human Rights Conference at Nieuwmarkt.

The heart of WorldPride was located on Museumplein. Besides concerts, visitors could explore the WorldPride Village. The Zero Flags project also highlighted that homosexuality remains criminalised in many countries around the world.

Queen Máxima of the Netherlands and Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema officially opened the WorldPride Village on 25 July.

"To every resident of Amsterdam, young or old, who has a problem with queer people, who intimidates them or behaves aggressively towards them: adapt yourself, otherwise you do not belong here," Queen Máxima said during her speech.

One of the highlights of this year's celebration was once again the annual Canal Parade. For WorldPride, it was larger than ever, featuring eighty decorated boats and attracting hundreds of thousands of spectators along Amsterdam's canals.

Openly gay Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten also joined the celebrations aboard one of the parade boats. He was among the speakers at the WorldPride Human Rights Conference, where the International Pride Awards were presented to South African Deputy Minister Mmapaseka Steve Letsike, Dutch LGBTQ+ human rights organisation COC Nederland, Chilean veteran activist Marcela Dimonty, Ugandan transgender pastor Aggie Dennett Harmon, and Indian disability rights advocate and LGBTIQ+ ally Dr Satendra Singh.

"These recipients show us how people advance equality for everyone: by organising, caring, documenting human rights violations, teaching and opening doors for others," said Julia Ehrt, Executive Director of ILGA World.

"Their work spans different countries and generations, but it is united by a belief in a future where everyone can thrive free from fear and prejudice. The International Pride Awards honour their achievements and the many communities standing alongside them."

Amsterdam police reported that no major incidents of anti LGBTQ+ violence occurred during WorldPride.

However, the reporting centre RITA (Report It Always) received more than 170 reports between Friday and Sunday. According to the organisation, these included people who were verbally abused, spat at or harassed while travelling to or attending Pride events.

Dozens of reports had also been received during the opening weekend of WorldPrde. According to RITA, the higher number of reports may partly be explained by the organisation's increased visibility during Pride. Several Safer Spaces were established throughout Amsterdam in hotels, museums and other public buildings, where visitors could seek assistance or report incidents.

The 11th edition of WorldPride will take place in Cape Town, South Africa, in 2028.

What I'm about to say probably won't make me popular with everyone, but it needs to be said.

Our community, especially our clubs, bars and other safe spaces, is under threat. During Pride and festival season, it's impossible to ignore the growing problem of excessive drug use. The rapid rise of GHB is putting some of the few places where LGBTQIA+ people can truly feel safe at risk.

I've been part of the queer and kink community for many years, and I've seen more and more people turn to drugs during chemsex parties or simply to lower their inhibitions. Drug use has always existed in our community for many different reasons, including self expression and self discovery.

Some people practice harm reduction. They know what they're taking, understand dosages, have a trusted buddy looking after them and take responsibility if something goes wrong.

But an increasing number of people are no longer taking GHB or other drugs to step over a small hurdle. They're jumping off a skyscraper.

Over the past few weeks, several close friends and I have repeatedly had to help people suffering overdoses in queer venues. Each time it involved dangerous combinations of GHB, other drugs, poppers and alcohol, consumed without any awareness of personal limits.

When you mix multiple substances, one plus one plus one doesn't equal three. It multiplies the risks dramatically. Eventually you lose all control, placing not only yourself at risk but also your friends, venue staff and everyone else who suddenly becomes responsible for your safety.

And if, after recovering, you blame your friends for your overdose instead of accepting responsibility, it's time to recognize that professional help is needed.

Venue owners also have an important role to play. Many display posters warning about GHB, yet too often those policies are not enforced. As long as drug use remains out of sight, it is tolerated. That tolerance allows the problem to grow.

Club owners should be willing to temporarily ban people who repeatedly endanger themselves and others. Losing a handful of customers is far less damaging than losing a venue's reputation or facing closure after a serious incident.

Our community faces attacks from outside, but we also face challenges from within.

Let's take responsibility. Stay informed, reduce risks, look after each other and protect the spaces that allow us to be ourselves.

I hope we can continue enjoying our clubs, festivals and Pride events for many years to come. That will only happen if we all work together to protect them.

Have a safe and enjoyable Pride and festival season.

Marc Dirix

Publisher Gaylive

Founded in Cologne in 1985, the festival has grown into a leading European event for the LGBTQI+ choral community. The 2026 edition is organised by the non-profit organisation Various Voices Brussels 2026, an initiative of the Brussels-based choir Sing Out Brussels!

From Wednesday to Saturday, more than 350 concerts will take place at venues including Bozar, La Madeleine, the Royal Circus and the ING Arena. Performances will also be held in public spaces such as the City Hall, the Vaux Hall and Brussels Park. The festival showcases artists from the Brussels, Belgian and wider European queer communities.

Each day, the festival presents a major show bringing together different choirs and artists around a common theme under the artistic direction of Simon Paco.

"These shows take us on a journey through the history of our LGBTQI+ community, celebrating its culture and defending its interests," explains artistic director Simon Paco. "The programme highlights the diversity of identities, the diversity of artistic practices and the diversity of life journeys. It also reflects the European dimension of the festival."

The detailed festival programme is available at https://various-voices.be/. Visitors can also find a presentation of each participating choir on the website.

"At last, justice for victims who often suffer the consequences of conversion practices for the rest of their lives," said COC chair Myrtille Danse following the Senate's decision. "At last, a clear message: 'being cured' is a myth, you are fine the way you are, and attempts to 'cure' people are now prohibited and punishable."

The bill was introduced by D66, VVD, PvdA, SP and the Party for the Animals. According to the parties, so-called conversion therapies cause serious harm. The lawmakers point to scientific research linking such practices to depression, mental health problems, social difficulties and, in some cases, suicide attempts.

The new law bans attempts to change the sexual orientation or gender identity of children and vulnerable adults. Violations can result in prison sentences of up to two years, and practitioners may be barred from their profession. Advertising for conversion practices will also be prohibited.

Conversion practices do not change a person's sexual orientation or gender identity, but they can cause severe harm. Research shows they may lead to lifelong trauma, depression and suicidal thoughts.

Dutch LGBTQ+ advocacy group COC has campaigned for a ban on conversion practices for around fifteen years. "Your entire identity is broken down. That trauma never goes away," said Jacques Zonne, describing the impact of conversion practices. He was confined for two years in an attempt to "cure" his homosexuality and gathered 8,000 signatures in support of a ban.

There are still at least fifteen providers of conversion practices operating in the Netherlands. Thousands of people are affected by them. These practices range from "therapies", holiday camps, seminars and workshops to faith healing and exorcisms.

Conversion practices are already banned in Germany, France, Belgium, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Malta and Cyprus. Human rights bodies, from the United Nations to the Council of Europe, have called on countries to outlaw conversion practices. The European Commission has also urged governments to introduce such bans.

His work has been exhibited at institutions including Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, Tate Britain in London and Museum Ludwig in Cologne. An exhibition of Hockney's work is currently on display at London's Serpentine North Gallery.

Hockney came out as gay at the age of 23 while studying art, and his sexuality became a recurring theme throughout his work. During his years in New York and Los Angeles he produced numerous drawings exploring same-sex desire, including studies of men showering. His then partner Peter Schlesinger also served as a model for several works.

After moving to Santa Monica in 1964, Hockney became fascinated by California's sunlight, open spaces, modern architecture and swimming pools. Los Angeles appealed to him because of what he described as a world filled with attractive athletic men.

His fascination with water, light, transparency and the male body culminated in works such as Peter Getting Out of Nick's Pool (1966). His swimming pool paintings became some of the defining images of twentieth-century art.

Among his most famous works is Portrait of an Artist (Pool with Two Figures), painted in 1972 and sold at auction in 2018 for 90 million dollars, setting a record at the time for a living artist.

Throughout a career spanning more than six decades, Hockney continuously experimented with new artistic techniques. In recent years he embraced the iPad as a creative tool, producing 116 digital paintings inspired by springtime in Normandy.

Hockney is survived by his partner Jean-Pierre Gonçalves de Lima, known as JP, with whom he shared more than forty years together.

Last year, 65 UN member states still criminalised same-sex relations and acts. Burkina Faso introduced a law criminalising same-sex relations for the first time in its history, while Trinidad and Tobago recriminalised homosexuality. Senegal also tightened its legislation, leading to arrests across the country and increased violence against the LGBTQ+ community.

In seven UN member states, the death penalty still applies to same-sex relations. In addition, 63 countries still have laws restricting freedom of expression regarding publications about sexuality, gender and bodily diversity. This is notably the case in El Salvador, where authorities ban “inclusive language” in education. In Brazil, a law was also approved this year banning minors from participating in Pride marches.

In at least 61 countries, legal provisions force LGBTQ+ rights organisations to register and make it more difficult for them to operate. Meanwhile, several US states have adopted or proposed laws restricting the rights of transgender people. In the United States, the Supreme Court also ruled that passports may only list a citizen’s sex assigned at birth and no longer their gender identity. Countries such as Kazakhstan, Belarus, Hungary, Slovakia, the United Kingdom and India also adopted laws restricting the rights of their local LGBTQ+ communities.

On the other hand, many countries have also taken important steps over the past year to strengthen LGBTQ+ rights. The UN Human Rights Council renewed the mandate of the UN expert dedicated to protecting LGBTQ+ and gender-diverse people from violence and discrimination. The Council of Europe adopted its first human rights standards for intersex people, while the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights published its first report on discrimination and violence against intersex people.

Saint Lucia decriminalised consensual same-sex relations, the Dominican Republic did the same within its armed forces, and Botswana officially removed the last remaining colonial-era laws criminalising consensual same-sex relations, more than six years after courts had already struck them down. Cuba also passed a law allowing people to change their gender markers without abusive conditions.

The Court of Justice of the European Union ruled that member states must recognise same-sex marriages performed abroad, while the US Supreme Court rejected attempts to overturn its landmark 2015 marriage equality ruling.

In Hong Kong, a judge recognised the parental rights of a lesbian couple. In Kenya, courts ruled that the state must process applications to change sex and gender markers on official documents and instructed the government to introduce legislation protecting transgender people, a first on the African continent. In Romania, a court confirmed the obligation to recognise a gender identity registered in another EU member state following a landmark ruling by the Court of Justice of the European Union. In Poland, the Supreme Administrative Court confirmed that refusing to recognise same-sex marriages concluded abroad is incompatible with EU law.

Over the past months, the Instagram pages of several LGBTQ+ organisations were repeatedly deleted or had their reach limited by Meta through shadow banning.

“We lost our Instagram account, got it back and then lost it several more times,” reads a statement on the Instagram page of Amsterdam’s Club Church. “We never received any explanation. The last time we got the page back, it still did not feel enough. We felt we had to take action.”

That opinion is also shared by Sauna Nieuwezijds, café Free Willie, No Limits! Art Castle, Tilla-Tec, Butt Magazine, The Queer Agenda, Striptopia and Queer Gallery. With the support of COC Netherlands, they are now starting legal proceedings.

“We have our accounts back, but for how long?” said Caspar Pisters on behalf of Club Church and the other queer initiatives. “The impact goes far beyond individual Instagram profiles. It creates uncertainty throughout the entire lhbtiqa+ community.”

“What Meta is doing disproportionately affects the rainbow community and other minorities,” a spokesperson for COC stated. “It limits our ability to meet each other, make our voices heard, be visible and ultimately be ourselves. We cannot allow our communities to be erased online or silenced.”

COC points out that Meta announced last year that it wanted to allow hateful and discriminatory expressions about minorities. As a result, homosexual people may reportedly be called “mentally ill” on the platform, women may be referred to as “objects”, and white people may be described as “superior”.

US-based organisation Repro Uncensored received more than 130 reports of removed Meta accounts in April alone this year. Many of the affected accounts belonged to LGBTQI+ initiatives and organisations focusing on women’s rights, sexuality and sexual health.

“This case is about digital discrimination and the exclusion of communities,” said Martha Dimitratou of Repro Uncensored. “What is at stake are the rights of queer communities in the Netherlands and of people worldwide who rely on these platforms for access to information and participation in public debate.”

As a first step in the legal procedure, law firm Bureau Brandeis has sent an official notice to Meta on behalf of the organisations. The letter states, among other things, that the company provides no meaningful explanation for removing accounts, that no adequate human review takes place and that no appeal procedures are offered.

The letter also raises concerns about the discriminatory impact of Meta’s practices, which appear to disproportionately affect queer communities and other marginalised groups. The organisations argue that Meta’s actions may violate European fundamental rights, the EU Digital Services Act (DSA) and Dutch anti-discrimination laws.

Among other demands, the organisations want Meta to stop unlawfully removing queer accounts and to clearly explain the criteria under which accounts were previously removed.

In Belgium, LGBTQ+ umbrella organisation çavaria has also launched a campaign against social media platforms. Through its “Flood The Feed” campaign, the organisation wants politicians to take responsibility and amend the Constitution so hate speech can be effectively prosecuted. Çavaria is calling on people to flood social media with positive messages.

On Saturday, the Pride March, the highlight of Brussels Pride, moved through the streets of the Belgian capital. The parade was led by the Brussels Pride float, while the theme of this year’s edition was chanted throughout the procession. Artists and DJs, all members or supporters of the community, then took over and turned Mont des Arts into a huge celebration.

LGBTQIA+ culture was highlighted both on the stages and within partner institutions. To ensure everyone could enjoy the event in the best possible conditions, the Safer Pride concept was implemented.

After the Pride parade, celebrations continued late into the night across different parts of the city, including Mont des Arts, the Pride Village, the DJ sets and performances in the Brussels Rainbow Village in the Saint-Jacques district, and the many parties organised by Brussels’ queer scene.

Violence and arrests

Despite the festive atmosphere, several arrests and violent incidents were once again reported this year. Artists Sherine Falasteen, Diva Beirut and Anira Orlando were attacked after their performance by a group of around 25 youths.

“After our performance we were walking back to our car when we were attacked by a group of kids. They were maybe fourteen years old,” Diva Beirut wrote on Instagram. “They threw a bicycle at me, pushed me to the ground, hit me and insulted me.”

Diva Beirut said he was deeply shocked, especially because it was the first time he had ever been attacked in the street. “I have never experienced this before, and I have been a drag queen in Lebanon for ten years,” he wrote.

The Brussels Pride organisation expressed its support for the three performers on social media. “No one should ever fear for their safety because of who they are,” the organisation stated. “This is why Pride is still needed.”

In addition, 29 arrests were made near Rue Baron Horta. During the parade, a group of protesters temporarily blocked the march at several locations, briefly disrupting the event. Around thirty protesters dressed in black notably blocked traffic near Bozar while chanting anti-fascist slogans. The demonstrators protested against the participation of the N-VA in the parade, criticising the party for abstaining during a recent vote in the European Parliament on banning conversion therapy.

“I’m a 34-year-old NBA player. I’m black and I’m gay.” With those short sentences, Jason Collins made history in 2013. He became the first active athlete to come out in one of the four major American professional sports leagues.

The motivation behind his coming out was that he was unable to participate in Boston’s Pride parade in 2012. “I realized I needed to come out when I heard that Joe Kennedy, my old roommate from my Stanford University days, had marched in the parade the previous year. I’m not usually jealous, but when I heard what Joe had done, I was green with envy. I was proud of him for marching, but I was also angry because as a closeted man, I couldn’t even support my straight friend without raising questions. If that happened, I would probably have to tell half-truths. I want to set a positive example now and stop hiding. I want to march for greater tolerance.”

Collins’ coming out was widely praised around the world in 2013. He received congratulations from NBA star Kobe Bryant, actor Neil Patrick Harris, Ricky Martin, Lance Bass, the Boston Red Sox baseball team, and Michelle Obama, among others. In April 2014, Collins also appeared on the cover of Time Magazine’s “100 Most Influential People in the World” issue.

During his career, he played 735 games for teams including the New Jersey/Brooklyn Nets, the Atlanta Hawks, and the Washington Wizards. He retired in 2014. Last year, he married film producer Brunson Green and in December he revealed to ESPN that he had been diagnosed with glioblastoma, an aggressive brain tumor.

“I’ve been able to live my life the way I wanted to,” he said. “I can honestly say the past twelve years have been the best years of my life.”

“Jason changed lives in unexpected ways and was an inspiration to everyone who knew him or admired him from afar,” Collins’ family said in a statement on the NBA website. The NBA also praised Collins’ work for creating a “more inclusive and welcoming sports community for future generations.” “Jason will not only be remembered for breaking barriers, but also for the kindness and humanity with which he touched so many people.”

Belgian director Michiel Thomas, who released the documentary “Game Face” in 2013, also reacted to Collins’ death.

“In 2013, shortly after Jason Collins came out, fate somehow placed us on the same flight. I asked him if he’d be willing to meet Terrence for my first documentary ‘Game Face,’ and without hesitation he said yes. That moment led to him becoming part of the film.

Jason was incredibly kind, thoughtful, and generous with his time. The wisdom and support he shared with Terrence and with the world meant so much. He even came to support us at the premiere at QDoc in Portland.

He was a true pioneer in LGBTQ sports and professional sports in general, but above all he was simply a warm human being. I’ll always be grateful that he believed in and supported this film, and I will always cherish the time we shared together.”

Foto: CC BY-SA 2.0/ Wikimedia Keith Allison - Flickr

Last week once again highlighted how hateful reactions have become commonplace under posts that even touch on LGBTQ-related topics. After a Facebook post appeared about the rainbow flag being displayed at a church in Tongeren for IDAHOT, hostile comments started appearing within minutes. Some messages even hinted that the rainbow flag would be burned or stolen. Although the flag was taken down that evening, it was still stolen during the weekend.

Çavaria says it has noticed for some time that insecurity for LGBTQI+ people on social media is reaching alarming levels. The organisation also argues that platforms are turning a blind eye and even facilitating hate through their algorithms. The Flemish LGBTQI+ umbrella group wants social media companies to take responsibility and politicians to finally amend the Constitution so hate speech can be effectively addressed.

In recent years, platforms such as Meta (Facebook, Threads and Instagram) and X (formerly Twitter) have deliberately scaled back moderation. According to çavaria, the situation is worsening because their business models and algorithms are built around conflict. At the same time, the organisation sees a worrying reverse trend: instead of tackling hate, queer accounts are increasingly becoming victims of shadow banning or arbitrary removals.

“We see that posting negative comments is rewarded by the algorithms, while LGBTQI+ accounts themselves are removed. That is unacceptable,” says Thomas Jans, spokesperson for çavaria.

According to çavaria, people in Belgium who become victims of criminal hate speech based on sexual orientation or gender identity hit a legal wall. Such hate speech is classified as a “press offence”, meaning it falls under Article 150 of the Constitution and must be handled by an Assize Court. In practice, this makes prosecution almost impossible. Çavaria is therefore calling on politicians to amend the legislation so hate speech against LGBTQI+ people can finally be prosecuted effectively.

At the European level, there is already a mechanism designed to hold platforms accountable: the Digital Services Act obliges major platforms to act against illegal hate speech and prohibits them from arbitrarily removing accounts or posts. However, that legislation is also under pressure. According to çavaria, the Trump administration is pushing Europe to weaken the rules. The organisation is explicitly calling on politicians not to give in and to continue strongly backing European legislation so it can actually be enforced.

“Flood The Feed”: resistance in the absence of protection

Because the platforms are failing and politicians are hesitating, according to çavaria, the organisation is taking matters into its own hands with the “Flood The Feed” campaign. The campaign was launched this week ahead of Brussels Pride and IDAHOT, the International Day Against LGBTQI+ Phobia on May 17.

Through a special Instagram broadcast channel, çavaria activates supporters and allies whenever an LGBTQI+-related post is flooded with hateful comments. Followers are encouraged to “flood” the comment sections with support and positivity. More than 200 people had already committed to taking part when the campaign launched.

“The goal is not to engage with the hate, because that only feeds the algorithms,” Jans explains. “We want the community to know they are not alone and that there is more support than hate. If the platforms refuse to clean up the mess, we will build our own wall of solidarity. But make no mistake: this campaign is an emergency solution. The real solution lies with the tech giants and lawmakers who are still giving them too much room.”

Through such practices, faith healers, exorcists and pseudo-therapists attempt to change people’s sexual orientation or gender identity. However, these practices never lead to change and often cause severe psychological harm to victims, ranging from depression to suicide.

The European Commission must now present binding legislation by May 18 that will apply to all member states and ban all forms of conversion therapy.

Cook joined Apple in 1998 and succeeded then-CEO Steve Jobs after his death in 2011. Under Cook’s leadership, several devices were launched, including the Apple Watch and AirPods, while services such as iCloud, Apple TV and Apple Music were further developed. The company saw its market value grow from $350 billion to $4 trillion, while revenue increased from $108 billion in 2011 to more than $416 billion in 2025.

In Silicon Valley, it was an open secret that the Apple CEO was gay, but it wasn’t until 2014 that Tim Cook publicly confirmed it in a column published in Businessweek. “I’m proud to be gay, and I consider my homosexuality among the greatest gifts God has given me,” Cook wrote at the time.

In the press release, Cook described leading Apple as “the greatest privilege of my life.” He will remain with Apple as executive chairman of the board. In that role, he will “continue to support the company in certain areas, including maintaining relationships with policymakers around the world.”

In February, the rainbow flag was removed from the LGBTQ+ monument by the agency responsible for national parks, following a government order. According to the agency, only American flags were allowed to fly at national parks and monuments. The removal was particularly painful for the local LGBTQ+ community, as the monument commemorates the Stonewall riots, which laid the foundation for modern LGBTQ+ emancipation. The decision sparked strong criticism from historians, local politicians, LGBTQ+ activists and lawyers, who feared it would amount to an erasure of both the symbol and the history behind the monument.

A legal complaint was immediately filed by the Gilbert Baker Foundation, Village Preservation and Equality NY. They argued that the removal of the rainbow flag was unconstitutional and that it should be permitted under existing government guidelines, which allow flags with historical significance. The organisations also stated that the decision specifically targeted the LGBTQ+ community.

Faced with these arguments, the authorities had two options: either risk losing publicly in court or resolve the matter outside of the courtroom. The Trump administration chose the latter and reversed its decision, allowing the rainbow flag to be displayed once again at the Stonewall Monument. As part of the settlement, the government acknowledged that the rainbow flag does not violate existing guidelines, that this interpretation is legally enforceable and that it cannot arbitrarily change its position to ban the flag again.

The National Park Service now has seven days to reinstall the rainbow flag beneath the American flag.

"This is a complete victory for our clients and for the LGBTQ+ community," said attorney Alexander Kristofcak, one of the lawyers representing the three organisations behind the case. "The government has acknowledged what we argued from day one: the Pride flag belongs at Stonewall. The flag will be restored, and it will fly officially and permanently."

In recent weeks, it had already become clear that Orbán’s party was trailing in the polls. On Sunday evening, Orbán quickly conceded defeat. With nearly 90 percent of the votes counted, Magyar secured two-thirds of the seats in parliament. If he manages to maintain this majority, Tisza will be able to reverse many of the decisions Orbán implemented in recent years.

This could also affect the many restrictions placed on the rights of the LGBTIQ+ community. In recent years, this minority group has been repeatedly targeted by Orbán’s regime. In 2021, his government adopted a law banning the "promotion" of homosexuality and transgender identity. In practice, this means that references to LGBTI+ people are not allowed in places where minors are present. The law has drawn repeated criticism from the European Union.

Budapest Pride was also targeted for years by the regime and was ultimately banned last year. Despite the ban, between 180,000 and 200,000 people took to the streets at the end of June, including delegations from more than thirty countries. Budapest mayor Gergely Karácsony, who granted a permit for the Pride despite the ban, was subsequently prosecuted and is expected to appear in court soon.

Magyar’s victory was welcomed by several European leaders.
"Congratulations to Péter Magyar and the Tisza party on their victory in the Hungarian parliamentary elections," Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot wrote on X. "A historic moment for Hungary and for Europe."
"With record turnout, Hungarians voted for change. They chose a government that will restore the institutions on which democracy is built. They chose the rule of law."
Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten praised "a new step for Hungary and the EU, with hope for the restoration of democracy, the rule of law and European cooperation." He described it as "a historic election victory."

However, it remains uncertain whether the situation for Hungary’s LGBTIQ+ community will improve in the short term. "What Orbán built was not just political power, but a system," said LGBTIQ+ rights activist and Forbidden Colours chair Rémy Bonny. "One embedded in laws, institutions and funding structures designed to outlast any election.
That system does not disappear overnight. In recent years, LGBTIQ+ people were turned into political targets: the "propaganda law," the ban on Pride, restrictions on adoption, the abolition of legal gender recognition and a constitution that enshrines discrimination.
Dismantling this system must now be the priority."

“Being present at a wedding is always an honour, and especially today,” Jetten said on social media afterwards. “Exactly 25 years ago today, same-sex couples were able to marry for the first time. Thanks to those pioneering couples, I realised as a 14-year-old that I belong, just like everyone else. To me, that equality remains, even after 25 years, the most important aspect of marriage: the recognition that love between two people simply exists.”

Mayor Halsema also described the marriages as a special moment. On social media, she quoted her predecessor Cohen, who was also present and said 25 years ago: “Soon you will be able to say ‘we are married’, and that sounds much better than saying ‘we are in a registered partnership’.” According to Halsema, these were historic words.

On 1 April 2001, the first same-sex marriages were held at the Stopera in Amsterdam by then-mayor Job Cohen. The Netherlands thus became the first country in the world to legalise same-sex marriage. At midnight, the amendment to Article 30 of the Civil Code came into force, stating that marriage can be entered into by two persons of different or the same sex. Three male couples and one female couple, selected following a call in the Gay Krant, got married. The ceremony made global headlines, with media outlets such as the BBC, CNN and Reuters present.

The trans man wanted to go swimming at the Sportoase Montaignehof pool in Lanaken, but was not allowed to wear loose-fitting swimwear. Only tight-fitting swimwear is permitted there for hygiene reasons. However, he wanted to wear loose swimwear because otherwise it would be visible that he has not undergone gender-affirming surgery.

The Disputes Chamber of the Flemish Institute for Human Rights follows this reasoning and rules that there is indirect discrimination based on gender identity and expression. The ban means that the complainant and other trans men in the same situation cannot use the pool without others being aware of their gender identity.

The Chamber acknowledges that the pool pursues a legitimate aim with this ban, such as ensuring safety and hygiene, but finds that the operator has not demonstrated that there are no other effective measures, such as requiring swimmers to shower beforehand. Another argument raised by the pool was that loose swimwear retains more water, preventing it from being reused. However, according to the Chamber, there are swimwear fabrics that absorb very little water.

The Disputes Chamber recommends that the pool take measures to allow the complainant to use the pool without others identifying him as a trans man, and to amend its regulations to allow loose-fitting swimwear.