The Flemish socialist Vooruit party and its Minister for Equal Opportunities, Rob Beenders, are advocating for same-sex marriage to be included in the Belgian constitution.
Beenders announced on Monday in Het Nieuwsblad that this should be addressed in Article 22, which pertains to private and family life.
He emphasised that, as LGBTQ+ rights are under pressure globally, an additional safeguard is necessary.
Minister for Consumer Protection, Social Fraud and Equal Opportunities Rob Beenders pictured during a session of the chamber commission for social affairs, employment and pensions, at the Federal Parliament in Brussels, Tuesday 18 March 2025. Credit: Belga / Eric Lalmand
Currently, same-sex marriage is governed by a regular law, which can be overturned by a simple majority vote. However, constitutional amendments require a two-thirds majority, making changes more difficult.
Belgium became the second country in the world to recognise same-sex marriage in 2003, under the government of liberal Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt. Beenders, who is married to a man, believes it is now time for Belgium to lead by enshrining this right in the Constitution.
