Pride Week kicked off on Wednesday with an activist march in Brussels, organised by the Rainbow House, a coalition of LGBTQIA+ associations in the region.
The event began at 18:00 at the foot of the Ihsane Jarfi mural in the Riches Claires district, which honours the young man who died in 2012 in Liège following a homophobic attack.
With rainbow flags flying, about a hundred people moved towards the “Homomonument” at the corner of Plattesteen Street and Rue du Marché au Charbon. This monument displays a thousand names of both famous figures, such as writers like Marcel Proust and singers like Elton John, as well as anonymous LGBTQIA+ individuals.
The crowd then gathered at Grands Carmes to celebrate the opening of the “Rainbow Health House” (MACS).
“The launch day is intended to be intersectional, symbolic, activist, and festive,” explained Rainbow House. The aim is to bring together members of the LGBTQIA+ communities and their allies for a unifying moment that fosters connections and symbolically builds bridges between struggles.
Throughout the week, concerts, film screenings, performances, and workshops are available to the public. Approximately 60 events centred around themes significant to the LGBTQIA+ community are planned.
The main Pride March is scheduled for Saturday, 17 May, serving as the highlight of Pride Week. The theme for Brussels Pride is “Unite, time to protect our rights,” calling for a society where everyone’s fundamental rights are respected daily. Around 180,000 people are expected to take to the capital’s streets to advocate for their rights and celebrate diversity, tolerance, and acceptance of all—regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
