photo: Richard Harris
What used to be just a parade has grown to over ten days of events leading up to the parade which is now officially called Belgian Pride. This year is the tenth anniversary of legal gay marriage in Belgium, a fact that made the competing demonstrations and even violence in France this year over the same issue, rather surreal from this side of the border. Legally, Belgium is the gay friendliest country in the world, so the emphasis here has shifted to pressuring the government to pressure other governments, especially those 70 or so where being gay is still illegal including the 6 where being gay is still a capital offence.
May 17th is IDAHO (International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia) and so, in conjunction with Belgian Pride, two people locked themselves in a cage for 48 hours to honor IDAHO. The cage will be taken down to the steps of the Stock Exchange Building on Saturday morning and the inmates will be freed as the opening of the Parade. Also, gay activists from Macedonia are the honored guests this year to highlight the difficulties of being gay in Macedonia.
However, there is one local issue. Last year there were some physical attacks on gay people in the central city and the government has put together a proposed law to increase penalties and also conciousness raising programs. The activists are putting pressure on the government to make sure the proposals become law.
What used to be just a parade has grown to over ten days of events leading up to the parade which is now officially called Belgian Pride. This year is the tenth anniversary of legal gay marriage in Belgium, a fact that made the competing demonstrations and even violence in France this year over the same issue, rather surreal from this side of the border. Legally, Belgium is the gay friendliest country in the world, so the emphasis here has shifted to pressuring the government to pressure other governments, especially those 70 or so where being gay is still illegal including the 6 where being gay is still a capital offence.
May 17th is IDAHO (International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia) and so, in conjunction with Belgian Pride, two people locked themselves in a cage for 48 hours to honor IDAHO. The cage will be taken down to the steps of the Stock Exchange Building on Saturday morning and the inmates will be freed as the opening of the Parade. Also, gay activists from Macedonia are the honored guests this year to highlight the difficulties of being gay in Macedonia.
However, there is one local issue. Last year there were some physical attacks on gay people in the central city and the government has put together a proposed law to increase penalties and also conciousness raising programs. The activists are putting pressure on the government to make sure the proposals become law.
photo: Richard Harris
People were dressed rather subdued this year; there weren't many outrageous fabulous looks for a change.
People were dressed rather subdued this year; there weren't many outrageous fabulous looks for a change.
photo: Richard Harris
photo: Richard Harris
There were quite a few trios in the crowd.
There were quite a few trios in the crowd.
photo: Richard Harris
A little bit of Manila in Brussels.
A little bit of Manila in Brussels.