The Belgian capital's most joyous event, Pride, will return on 18 May under the theme "Safe Everyday Everywhere". Some 250,000 people are once again expected to take to the streets to celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community.
On 18 May, Brussels will once again be lit up by colourful flags to mark Brussels Pride. LGBTQIA+ and allied artists will be taking to the stages around the city centre, while the main event, the Pride March, will see people parade through the streets.
Brussels Pride is a celebration of diversity, but also a call to defend and demand LGBTQIA+ rights. It is also a call for all people to take concrete action every day against all forms of discrimination, violence and hate crimes.
"Brussels Pride is there to stand up for the rights of the LGBTQIA+ community and to ensure that its basic rights are upheld," visit.brussels wrote in its announcement of the event. This year's event more than ever aims to promote "a society where everyone can feel free and serene every day and everywhere."
People take to the streets for 'Brussels Pride' on 20 May 2023. Credit: Belga / Nicolas Maeterlinck
The celebrations will start early this year with Pride Week, kicking off the festivities on Wednesday 8 May. The occasion will be marked by an artistic and activist event around the Suzan Daniel Bridge.
On the other days, RainbowHouse (the Brussels Federation of LGBTQIA+ associations) and other groups are putting together an extensive and varied programme for Pride Week, taking part in the Grands Carmes in the city centre and in other locations spread across the city.
On Thursday 16 May, the Mini Pride will march through the streets of the Saint-Jacques district. "The procession will pass by Manneken Pis, who will don a specially designed costume for the occasion."
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During Pride Week and Brussels Pride, several buildings in the Brussels-Capital Region will also be illuminated and decorated in the colours of the rainbow flag.
To ensure that everyone can enjoy the event with complete peace of mind, safety zones will be created in several strategic locations where people can receive medical attention and/or report inappropriate or offensive behaviour concerning their gender and/or their identity.
