In a video published online on Thursday, Vooruit party chairman Conner Rousseau spoke about his sexuality, confirming what he called a “kind of open secret” that he is attracted to both men and women.
But the video received mixed reactions online, with some speculating that the “coming-out” video is part of a larger PR campaign, both with national elections coming next year in which Rousseau will be seeking voter approval and in the context of complaints of sexual conduct which have reportedly been levelled at the young politician.
The Flemish socialist politician reportedly attempted to sell the video for up to €1,500 to several media outlets. Yet Flemish media turned down the offer, pointing out that journalistic information is generally not paid for and certainly not if there is no chance for questions to be put in an interview format. The video was subsequently released for free on YouTube.
A message explaining why VRT did not pay for the video. Credit: VRT
Whilst Rousseau cited his struggles with his sexuality as the motivation for issuing the public statement, the issue of payment has distracted from his intended message. Indeed, the attempt to break the news so publicly led political scientist Nicolas Bouteca at Belgian UGent to question the thinking behind it: "Do I understand that correctly? Marketing emotional struggles? Is that the new style?" he tweeted.
Belgium has several ministers who are openly gay and even Europe's first transgender minister in Petra De Sutter.
Accusations of transgression
Two investigations into wrongdoing have been levelled against Rousseau, one of which has just been announced by the public prosecutor’s office, Gazet van Antwerpen reports.
A criminal investigation into an incident implicating Rousseau is currently open in Antwerp, but no formal complaint has been filed and an investigating judge has yet to be assigned. The Federal Judicial Police are still investigating the matter. VRT Nieuws claims that the case relates to a mother complaining about inappropriate communications between Rousseau and her 17-year-old son.
Flemish media also cite an incident involving another 17-year-old boy earlier this year at the We Can Dance festival. Rousseau allegedly acted inappropriately with the boy, to whom he had offered a lift in his car. An official report was made by a journalist but the boy in question later claimed that there was no transgressive behaviour and this case has since been dismissed.
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In a comment to VRT, Rousseau’s lawyer described the allegations as “a witch hunt”, also saying that allegations made in the Antwerp court case contained “completely wrong things.”
Party colleagues were quick to dismiss notions that the announcement was politically motivated. Melissa Depraetere (Vooruit) stressed that "no one makes money from this, not the party, and not even Conner himself. This is not a party communication or a political position, but an individual communication that is freely accessible to the public."
