Here's Your Guide to Belgian Pride 2023

We’re not there yet. Simple as. We’ll take and celebrate the wins, absolutely. But we must be aware that perhaps more prominently than ever, queer identities, bodies and most specifically trans folks’ lives are under renewed scrutiny and attack worldwide - as a lightning rod, convenient distraction and punching bag for the powers that be as we lurch from man-made crisis to crisis. Hate is a renewable energy.

The Rainbow Europe 2023 report indicates that there was a rise in anti-LGBT hate speech and crime the past year, with violence - in particular against trans people - becoming more severe. Queer asylum seekers are increasingly vulnerable as migration restrictions tighten. Progression on sexual education is being challenged at a fundamental level. In the U.S., the ACLU is currently tracking a record number of 471 anti-LGBTQ and anti-drag bills in different stages of legal progress. There’s a growing gap between countries advancing LGBTQIA+ rights and those rolling them back viciously, as exemplified by nations like Russia, Afghanistan and Uganda. The U.K. is roiled in transphobic government-fuelled rhetoric. On the sunnier side, more countries like Barbados and Singapore are cleansing their law books of colonial-era anti-gay rules and there is growing support for LGBTQIA+ people among societies in Europe, according to ILGA, as well as in Japan. Slovenia made history in 2022 as the first Eastern-European country to legalise marriage and adoption for same-sex couples.

Love-fuelled mass events like Belgian Pride staying steadfast, loud and visible are as crucial as never before. A top-of-your-lungs protest, a jubilant party, a chilled out May day spent cheering, languidly snapping and ‘yassing’ to the crowd: no matter the reasoning behind your support, show up, don your flags and feel the love at ‘Brussels Pride - The Belgian and European Pride’ from May 9-20 2023 in Brussels.

THE THEME

The 2023 theme says it all: ‘Protect the Protest’. Aligning with human rights organisation Amnesty International’s campaign, Belgian Pride is reasserting the fundamental human right to protest as our freedoms of expression and association are never to be taken for granted.

THE EVENTS

As is tradition, Belgian Pride season will be a hive of activity as cultural centres, grassroots activists, live performers and artists present their take on LGBTQIA+ themes like ballroom culture, FINTA intersectionality, drag, trans identity, Black queer self-representation and more.

- Pre-Pride cabaret and exposition - May 9-26 (La Vénerie)
- Film screening ‘Nelly & Nadine’ - May 10 (La Vénerie)
- Live talk show ‘Talk from Homografía’ - May 10 (Grands Carmes)
- L-Tour LGBTQI+ Guided Tours - May 11
- Peter Castels & Chose live performance - May 12 (Grands Carmes)
- Rainbowhouse Queer Karaoke - May 12 (Rainbowhouse)
- Pride slogan signs workshop - May 13 (Grands Carmes)
- Writing & stage coaching workshop ‘Slamequeer’ - May 13 (Grands Carmes)
- Workshop ‘Cycled / Cyclique’ - May 13 (Grands Carmes)
- Rainbowhouse Tea Dance - May 14 (Rainbowhouse)
- Drag storytime readings for teens & adults - May 14 (Grands Carmes)
- ‘J’existe!’ conference & debate - May 14 (Grands Carmes)
- Film screening ‘Le Paradis’ - May 15 (Cinéma Aventure)
- Debate & screening ‘Expressions Mixtes’ - May 15 (Grands Carmes)
- Networking Rainbow for a job - May 16 (Grands Carmes)
- Live performance Biche de Ville - May 16 (Grands Carmes)
- Remembering bell hooks - a church service - May 17 (Arenberg Antwerp)
- Film screening ‘In From The Side’ - May 17 (Muntpunt)
- Brussels Queer Graphics expo - May 17 (Brussels Design Museum)
- Lesbian BBQ - May 17 (Grands Carmes)
- Workshop Trans-identity awareness - May 17 (Grands Carmes)
- Blackapalooza Lipsync Battle - May 18 (The Agenda)
- Art Talk: The Harlem Fantasy ‘82 - May 19 (Bozar)
- ‘The True Colors and Body Language of Soft Bwois’ event - May 19 (Bozar)
- Afro Vogue workshop by Omari Nina Oricci - May 19 (De Markten)
- Free brunch & drag show - May 20 (Beursschouwburg)
- OUTRAGEOUS: a celebration of Pride - May 20 (Ancienne Belgique)
- Third annual Afropride Ball - May 20 (De Markten)
Find all the categories on For All Queens’ IG.
Doors open at 2 PM, roll call at 3 PM
- Collage workshop by Yema Visuals - May 21 (Rue Blaes 142)

THE PARADE

On Saturday, May 20, the main event - the Pride Parade - will begin at 12 PM on the Mont des Arts. First come the thematic speeches and at 2 PM, the parade will stomp and shimmy through the city until its return to the Mont des Arts Rainbow Village around 5 PM. New this year: there will be three stages (Bourse, Mont des Arts, De Brouckère) instead of one, hosting a line-up of LGBTQIA+ artists to pump your serotonin levels up.

In order for everyone to have fancy-free time, there will be ‘SAFER Pride’ spaces stationed at several locations to ensure everyone’s safety and to provide a space for reporting any inappropriate, offensive or harassing behaviour with regard to your gender and/or identity.

The Rainbow Village free-access block party is the highlight of the week - last year, DJ’s like Zoey Hasselbank set the plaza aflame - and it is simply not to be missed. Go all out on the outfit and give the people something to look at though because you will be queuing for quite some time to get a drink. A ‘serve while you wait to be served’ type beat.

THE PARTIES

As night snatches the baton from day, it simply becomes time to slay at one of the many parties hosted throughout the capital. In the run-up to and during the parade weekend, there’s a DJ set and party concept lined up for most everyone to get their life to.

- She they Bien Pride Special - May 18 & 19 (Brasserie ILLEGAAL)
- H.I.M. Brussels Pride Edition - May 19 (Steel Gate)
- Pride afterparty Afropolitan x KFDA - May 19 (Bozar)
- HAUS Brussels Pride - May 20 (HAUS)
- FLASH Official Pride afterparty - May 20 (FLASH Club)
- VICUNA Belgian-Portuguese Pride Party - May 20 (RESET)

If you’re unable or not ready to join the festive fray at Pride this year, know that we march for you and with you in spirit always. If it’s your first time going and you’re feeling unsure what to expect, here’s a first-timer 101 guide and a Pride safety resource you can check out.

If you’re questioning or looking for support / mental health resources / organisations to reach out to regarding your or a loved one’s identity and/or sexuality, you can head here or here. In Belgium, you can contact Lumi for all questions regarding gender and sexuality.

Missing an event in the list? Don’t hesitate to e-mail us!

Header image: (c) Cole Witters

Belgian/Brussels Pride is an initiative by the Brussels Pride organisation. For full details & programming, head here.