LGBT rights in Belgium

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LGBTQ rights in Belgium
EU-Belgium.svg
Status Legal since 1795,
age of consent (re)equalized in 1985
Gender identity Transgender persons allowed to change legal gender without surgery
Military LGBT people allowed to serve openly
Discrimination protections Sexual orientation and gender identity protections (see below)
Family rights
Recognition of relationships Statutory cohabitation since 2000
Same-sex marriage since 2003
Adoption Full adoption rights since 2006

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) rights in Belgium are regarded as some of the most progressive in Europe and the world. [1] [2] [3] In 2023, ILGA-Europe ranked Belgium as second in the European Union for LGBT rights protection, behind Malta. [4] In 2024, ILGA-Europe ranked Belgium the third highest after Malta and Iceland. [5]

Same-sex sexual activity was legalised in 1795, with an equal age of consent, except from 1965 until 1985. After granting same-sex couples domestic partnership benefits in 2000, Belgium became the second country in the world to legalise same-sex marriage in 2003. Same-sex adoption was fully legalised in 2006 under the same terms and conditions as heterosexual adoption, [2] and lesbian couples can access IVF as well. Protections from discrimination based on sexual orientation in employment, housing, and public and private accommodations were enacted in 2003 and on gender identity and expression in 2014. Transgender people have been allowed to change their legal gender since 2007, though under certain restrictions which were repealed in 2018. Additionally, conversion therapy was banned in 2023. [6]

Belgium has frequently been referred to as one of the most gay-friendly countries in the world, [7] with recent polls indicating that a majority of Belgians support same-sex marriage and adoption rights. The previous Prime Minister of Belgium, Elio Di Rupo, is an openly gay man, and was one of the few heads of government in the world to openly identify as LGBT. Pascal Smet, the former Flemish Minister of Education and Brussels Minister of Mobility, is also openly gay. With the appointment of Petra De Sutter as Minister of Civil Service in 2020, Belgium is one of the first countries in the world to have an openly transgender woman as a government minister.

Law regarding same-sex sexual activity

Prior to 1795, the modern borders of the Kingdom of Belgium existed mostly within the Holy Roman Empire and was divided between the Austrian Netherlands, the Duchy of Bouillon, and the Prince-Bishopric of Liège, along with the Kingdom of France and the Republic of the Seven United Netherlands.

Same-sex sexual activity has been legal since 1795 (when the country was a French possession). [8] Article 372 of the Penal Code sets the age of consent to 16, regardless of sexual orientation and/or gender. This was briefly increased to 18 for same-sex sexual activity between 1965 and 1985 by the addition and later repeal of article 372bis to the Penal Code. It was inserted by an amendment of MP Freddy Terwagne  [ nl; fr ] to the law of 8 April 1965 on youth protection. [9] [10] In the 1980's, the case Eliane Morissens (a lesbian teacher who had suffered employment discrimination) sparked a debate on institutional homophobia, which resulted in the Flemish Socialist Party declaring its support for an equal age of consent. [11] In June 1982, a law repealing article 372bis was submitted by MP Luc Van den Bossche. The law was approved by the Chamber of Representatives on 13 May 1983, and by the Senate in June 1985. It was enacted on 18 June 1985. [9] [10]

Recognition of same-sex relationships

Belgium became the second country to allow same-sex marriages in 2003 (after the Netherlands). [12] Same-sex couples have the same legal rights as opposite-sex couples. [2]

The Flemish bishops of the Belgian bishops conference published on 20 September 2022 a liturgical document for the blessing of same-sex unions. [13] [14] [15]

Adoption and family planning

Same-sex couples have had the same rights as opposite-sex couples in adopting children since 2006. [16] Additionally, lesbian couples can access in vitro fertilisation.

A legal inequality compared to heterosexual couples still existed with regards to children: the husband of the biological mother was automatically legally recognised as the father (by article 135 of the Civil Code), but this was not the case in a same-sex couple for the wife of the mother. To be recognised as the co-mother, she had to complete an adoption procedure. This accounted for the large majority of adoption cases in Belgium. The Di Rupo Government promised to fix this, and in 2014, as the Netherlands recently passed similar legislation, LGBT organisations pressured the government about their promise. Subsequently, legislators worked to agree on a solution. [17] A bill fixing this inequality was approved by the Senate on 3 April 2014 on a 48–2 vote (with one abstention), and by the Chamber of Representatives on 23 April on a 114–10 vote (with one abstention). The bill received royal assent on 5 May and went into effect on 1 January 2015.

Generally, adoption law is regulated at the federal level, whereas the adoption procedure is managed by the community governments. Between 2006 and 2014, 56 male same-sex couples and two female same-sex couples had domestically adopted a child in the Flemish Community (Flanders). In the same period, 12 children were domestically adopted in the French Community, giving a total of 70 LGBT domestic adoptions in Belgium in that period. [18]

Discrimination protections and hate crimes

ILGA-Europe at the 2018 Belgian Pride parade, Brussels Pride.be 2018 2018-05-19 16-32-40 ILCE-6500 DSC09005 (41337704795).jpg
ILGA-Europe at the 2018 Belgian Pride parade, Brussels

The anti-discrimination law of 25 February 2003 included discrimination protections on the basis of sex and sexual orientation. [19] The law was replaced by a similar law in 2007, known as the Anti Discrimination Law 2007 (Dutch : Wet ter bestrijding van bepaalde vormen van discriminatie; French : Loi tendant à lutter contre certaines formes de discrimination; German : Gesetz zur Bekämpfung bestimmter Formen von Diskriminierung). [20] The 2003 and 2007 anti-discrimination laws also establish penalty enhancements for crimes motivated by hate on the basis of, among others, sex and sexual orientation.

On 29 November 2013, the Federal Government approved an expansion of the anti-discrimination law to include gender identity and gender expression. It was approved by the Federal Parliament and received royal assent on 22 May 2014. [21] [22] [23]

On 22 December 2014, the jury of the court of assizes of Liège found four people guilty of the murder of Ihsane Jarfi, motivated by homophobia. It was the first case in Belgium in which a crime was officially qualified as being motivated by hate on the basis of sexual orientation. [24]

In May 2018, the Centre for Equal Opportunities and Opposition to Racism reported it had processed 125 cases of homophobic discrimination in 2018, a 38% increase over the past five years. This included 17 physical attacks, 42 public homophobic insults, 17 housing discrimination cases, and 31 online attacks. [25] A study, published in May 2019 and commissioned by Secretary of State for Equal Opportunities Bianca Debaets, found that 90% of LGBT people in Brussels had been the victim of verbal or psychological harassment, with a third stating that had been physically assaulted. [26]

Conversion therapy practices

On 20 July 2023, Parliament approved a law that bans conversion practices, defined as "any practice consisting of or including physical intervention or the application of psychological pressure, which the perpetrator or victim believes or claims is intended to repress or to alter a person's sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, whether that characteristic is actually present or merely assumed by the perpetrator." Punishment range from imprisonment of 8 days to 2 years and/or a fine of 208 to 2400 euros, and a professional ban up to 5 years. [27] [28]

Transgender rights

The Law of 10 May 2007 on transsexuality (Dutch : Wet van 10 mei 2007 betreffende de transseksualiteit; French : Loi du 10 mai 2007 relative à la transsexualité; German : Gesetz vom 10. Mai 2007 über die Transsexualität) grants Belgians the right to change their legal gender. [29] Prior to this, a gender change was only possible through a court judgment. Between 2002 and 2012, there was a yearly average of 31 men and 14 women who officially changed their legal gender, with an increase after the 2007 law came into in effect. [30] Conditions included that the person has a "constant and irreversible inner conviction to belong to the sex opposite to that mentioned in the birth certificate" and that "the physical body is adapted to the opposite sex as far as possible and justified from a medical point of view", meaning applicants were required to undergo sterilisation and sex reassignment surgery.

Plans to amend the law to remove these requirements were announced by the Michel Government in 2015, [31] [32] [33] passed by the Chamber of Representatives (and signed by King Philippe) in 2017, [34] [35] and took effect on 1 January 2018. [36] Shortly after the law took effect in January 2018, LGBT rights organisations challenged it before the Constitutional Court of Belgium, arguing that the binary choice (male or female) and the ability of changing one's sex only once remain discriminatory. [37] In June 2019, the Constitutional Court ruled that the law is unconstitutional and must therefore be amended. Currently, it is only possible to change gender on the identity card from male to female or vice versa, but according to the court, persons who are non-binary are excluded from this rule. The court held that an "X" sex option should be available. The Constitutional Court has asked the Belgian Federal Parliament to work on an arrangement that complies with the ruling, whether through the "creation of one or more additional categories" or the removal of gender from compulsory registration. [38] [39] [40] [41] The De Croo Government has agreed to amend the current law. Their 2020 coalition agreement states that "legislation will be amended in accordance with the ruling of the Constitutional Court. The further implications of that will be investigated." [42]

In order to change legal sex, an adult person has to file an application with a statement that their legal sex is not corresponding with their gender identity. No surgery or other medical or psychological treatment or opinion is required. After filing an application, the applying person will be informed about the legal consequences of a requested change. The applicant has to renew their intent to have their legal sex changed within three months of application and to declare that they are aware of the legal consequences of a change. Minors between 12 and 16 have the possibility to change their first name, but not sex. Minors aged 16 and 17 have the possibility to apply for a sex change with parental consent and a psychological opinion confirming that their decision has been taken freely and without any outside pressure. [43] [44] [45] [46]

According to the National Register, 727 transgender Belgians changed their legal gender under the new law in 2018. [47]

Many Belgian hospitals, the Ghent University Hospital (UZ Gent) among them, are known for their specialisation in sex reassignment surgery. Many French transgender people go there due to a lack of accepting hospitals in France. [48]

Intersex rights

Intersex infants in Belgium may undergo medical interventions to have their sex characteristics altered. Human rights groups increasingly consider these surgeries unnecessary and, they argue, should only be performed if the applicant consents to the operation. In February 2019, the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child recommended Belgium to ban these surgeries and provide intersex infants and their parents counseling and support. [49]

The first intersex organization in Flanders, Intersekse Vlaanderen, was officially registered in August 2019. [50]

Military service

LGBT people are free to serve openly in the Belgian Armed Forces.

Health and blood donation

In Belgium, as in many other countries, men who have sex with men (MSM) were previously not allowed to donate blood. In 2017, the blanket ban was repealed and replaced with a one-year deferral period. [51] [52] [53] [54] [55] In 2016, Health Minister Maggie De Block promised to re-evaluate the law using the newest scientific discoveries. In November 2016, she announced the ban would be amended in 2017, making it possible for gay and bisexual men to donate blood after a year of abstinence from sex. [56] Regulations to this effect were approved on 28 April 2017 by the Council of Ministers. On 1 July 2023, the deferral period was shortened to 4 months. [57]

In June 2019, the Flemish Red Cross announced it was banning transgender people from donating blood in Flanders. Following consultations with health and LGBT groups, it reversed course and lifted the ban on 30 September 2019. Transgender people can donate subject to a three-month deferral period after starting hormonal therapy and a 4-month deferral period after having sex with a new partner or a 12-month deferral after the last sexual encounter with people considered to be of high-risk of having STDs, such as swingers and MSM. [58] [59]

In 2019, LGBT groups, financed by the Flemish Ministry of Health, launched an LGBT suicide prevention project called lumi.be, and a specific transgender suicide prevention website called gendervonk.be. [60] [61]

Living conditions

LGBT people are generally socially accepted in Belgium. There is a strong gay community, with numerous gay clubs, bars, venues and events. A 2006 European Union member poll showed that 62% of Belgians supported the legalisation of same-sex marriage in the whole of Europe. [62] The 2015 Eurobarometer found that 77% of Belgians thought that same-sex marriage should be allowed throughout Europe, 20% were against. [63]

The 2019 Eurobarometer showed that 84% of Belgians believed gay and bisexual people should enjoy the same rights as heterosexual people, and 82% supported same-sex marriage. [64] The 2023 Eurobarometer found that 79% of Belgians thought same-sex marriage should be allowed throughout Europe, and 80% agreed that "there is nothing wrong in a sexual relationship between two persons of the same sex". [65]

Politics

N-VA at the Antwerp Pride 2018 with the slogan "free and safe in [our] city" Antwerp Pride 2018-08-11 154118.jpg
N-VA at the Antwerp Pride 2018 with the slogan "free and safe in [our] city"
PTB/PVDA at Belgian Pride 2018, along with its student wing (Comac) and its youth wing (RedFox) Pride.be 2018 2018-05-19 15-28-03 ILCE-6500 DSC08392 (40428340160).jpg
PTB/PVDA at Belgian Pride 2018, along with its student wing (Comac) and its youth wing (RedFox)

LGBT rights are supported by the main political parties. When voting on the same-sex marriage bill, the Flemish Liberals and Democrats (VLD), the Christian People's Party (CVP/CD&V), the Socialist Party (PS), the Socialist Party Differently (sp.a), Ecolo, Agalev and the People's Union voted generally in favour except for several abstentions, whereas the Flemish Block and the National Front voted against, the Christian Social Party (CSP/cdH) voted against with several abstentions and the Reformist Movement (MR) voted dividedly. The right-wing Flemish Interest (Vlaams Belang, formerly Flemish Block) was opposed to same-sex marriage and LGBT rights more broadly, but has softened its stance in recent years. In 2015, party leader Tom Van Grieken said the party would not campaign to repeal same-sex marriage. Member of the Flemish Parliament Filip Dewinter told the newspaper De Standaard in 2014 that the party would now approve of same-sex marriage. [66]

Several politicians are openly gay, two notable examples being the former Prime Minister of Belgium, Elio Di Rupo (PS) and the former Flemish Minister for Education (in the Peeters II Government), Pascal Smet (Vooruit). [67] LGBT members of the Flemish Parliament include, among others, Piet De Bruyn (N-VA), Lorin Parys (N-VA) and Wellen Mayor Els Robeyns (sp.a).

On 2 April 2014, the Flemish Parliament approved 96–0 (with 15 abstentions) a resolution introduced by MP Piet De Bruyn (N-VA) and supported by all political parties except Flemish Interest, calling for the government to take measures to support and advance the acceptance of transgender people in society. [68]

In the 2014 European Parliament election, UZ Gent gynaecologist Petra De Sutter was second on the list of Green candidates, marking it the first time a Belgian transgender person was a candidate for the EU Parliament. [69] De Sutter has served as a member of the Belgian Senate since June 2014, and joined the European Parliament for the European Green Party after the 2019 elections. She left the European Parliament in 2020, and was sworn in as Minister of Civil Service in October of that year. [70]

Following the 2014 European Parliament elections, the New Flemish Alliance (N-VA) was criticized for joining the European Conservatives and Reformists parliamentary group, which contains several right-wing homophobic parties. However, N-VA asserted they would vote in favour of LGBT rights, and argued that this was an opportunity to change opinions of other parties in that group. [71]

In 2019, Dominiek Spinnewyn-Sneppe, newly-elected federal member of Parliament and member of Flemish Interest, was quoted in an interview as criticizing same-sex marriage and adoption by same-sex couples. After public outcry, party chairman Tom Van Grieken condemned her words, claiming they did not reflect his own opinion or that of the party. While he defended her right to free speech, he claimed that Flemish Interest will not seek to reverse any acquired rights of the LGBT community. [72]

Media

Homosexuality is widely accepted in the media. Popular TV series such as Thuis , Skam Belgique and wtFOCK (the last two being adaptations of the Norwegian series Skam ) feature gay characters.

The first TV personality to publicly come out as gay was singer Will Ferdy (nl) in 1970, when the topic was still taboo. [73]

In 2018, journalist Bo Van Spilbeeck (nl) came out as transgender. This received widespread media coverage. [74]

LGBT rights movement in Belgium

The Brussels Stock Exchange building decorated with rainbow banners and flags during Belgian Pride 2015 2015-05-16 13-06-15 ILCE-6000 DSC04652 (17777951782).jpg
The Brussels Stock Exchange building decorated with rainbow banners and flags during Belgian Pride 2015
Participants at Belgian Pride in 2018, Brussels Pride.be 2018 2018-05-19 14-57-15 ILCE-6500 DSC08096 (42234009881).jpg
Participants at Belgian Pride in 2018, Brussels

Belgian gay rights activists are grouped into several organisations; Çavaria, [75] and Wel Jong (Before known as "Wel jong Niet hetero" dutch for "Young But Not Straight"), [76] two Dutch-speaking organisations in the Flemish and Brussels regions, and the Federation des Associations Gayes et Lesbiennes in the French-speaking Walloon and Brussels regions.

Belgian gay rights activism is made most visible by means of pride parade demonstrations. Marches have been held annually in Belgium's capital Brussels since 1996, with similar events having been held intermittently in preceding years in both Brussels and other cities. While the marches have a festive character, they are also used to present the gay movement's political agenda in the form of a list of demands. The list has been updated a number of times and has included demands for anti-discrimination laws, inclusion of gay relationships in high school sex education and the right to adoption by same-sex parents.

In the 2007 march, some participants were seen with a banner "Thank you Verhofstadt!", in reference to the fact that same-sex marriage in Belgium and other LGBT reforms were realised by the first two governments of Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt (Open VLD), which respectively consisted of liberals, socialists and greens, and of liberals and socialists.

Prior to 1998, the marches were held under the name Roze Zaterdag – Samedi Rose ("Pink Saturday"). The name was adopted for the first ever Belgian demonstration march for gay rights in 1979, taken from the same-named series of Dutch marches which were first held in 1977. [77] The 1979 march was organised on 5 May in Brussels, with subsequent marches the next two years in respectively Antwerp and Brussels again. After this first short series of annual events, it was only in 1990 that the decision was made to again organise the marches regularly, starting anew on 5 May in Antwerp and then bi-annually in Ghent and again in Antwerp. The latter choice of city was motivated by what is known as "Black Sunday", when the right-wing party Vlaams Blok (now Vlaams Belang) scored a major electoral victory in Antwerp. Then in 1996, "Pink Saturday" was moved indefinitely to Brussels, and became an annual event. The next year, the list of demands was for the first time prominently displayed on 10 large banners carried by participants throughout the march. In 1998, the name of the march was changed to Belgian Lesbian and Gay Pride (BLGP), and then in 2009 to Belgian Pride.

In 2013, Antwerp was the host city of the third World Outgames. The 2019 Belgian Pride parade was attended by an estimated 100,000 people. [78]

Summary table

RightStatus
Same-sex sexual activity legal Yes check.svg (Since 1795)
Equal age of consent (16) Yes check.svg (Since 1985)
Anti-discrimination laws in employment Yes check.svg (Since 2003)
Anti-discrimination laws in the provision of goods and services Yes check.svg (Since 2003)
Anti-discrimination laws in all other areas (incl. indirect discrimination, hate speech) Yes check.svg (Since 2003)
Anti-discrimination laws concerning gender identity Yes check.svg (Since 2014)
Same-sex marriage Yes check.svg (Since 2003)
Recognition of same-sex couples (e.g. unregistered cohabitation, life partnership) Yes check.svg (Since 2000)
Stepchild adoption by same-sex couples Yes check.svg (Since 2006)
Joint adoption by same-sex couples Yes check.svg (Since 2006)
Automatic parenthood on birth certificates for children of same-sex couples Yes check.svg (Since 2015)
LGBT people allowed to serve openly in the military Yes check.svg
Right to change legal gender Yes check.svg (Since 2007)
Right to change legal gender based on self-determination Yes check.svg (Since 2018)
Access to IVF for lesbian couples Yes check.svg (Since 2006)
Conversion therapy banned by law Yes check.svg (Since 2023)
Intersex minors protected from invasive surgical procedures X mark.svg
Non-binary gender recognition X mark.svg
Altruistic surrogacy for gay male couples Yes check.svg
MSMs allowed to donate blood Yes check.svg / X mark.svg (Since 1 July 2023, 4-month deferral period) [57]

See also

Related Research Articles

Same-sex marriage has been legal in Belgium since 1 June 2003. A bill for the legalization of same-sex marriages was passed by the Senate on 28 November 2002, and by the Chamber of Representatives on 30 January 2003. King Albert II granted his assent, and the bill entered into force on 1 June. Polling indicates that a significant majority of Belgians support the legal recognition of same-sex marriage. Belgium was the second country in the world to legalise same-sex marriage, after the Netherlands.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LGBT rights by country or territory</span>

Rights affecting lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBTQ) people vary greatly by country or jurisdiction—encompassing everything from the legal recognition of same-sex marriage to the death penalty for homosexuality.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LGBT rights in Hungary</span>

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBTQ) people in Hungary face legal and social challenges not experienced by non-LGBT residents. Homosexuality is legal in Hungary for both men and women. Discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and sex is banned in the country. However, households headed by same-sex couples are not eligible for all of the same legal rights available to heterosexual married couples. Registered partnership for same-sex couples was legalised in 2009, but same-sex marriage remains banned. The Hungarian government has passed legislation that restricts the civil rights of LGBT Hungarians – such as ending legal recognition of transgender Hungarians and banning LGBT content and displays for minors. This trend continues under the Fidesz government of Viktor Orbán. In June 2021, Hungary passed an anti-LGBT law on banning "homosexual and transexual propaganda" effective since 1 July. The law has been condemned by seventeen member states of the European Union. In July 2020, the European Commission started legal action against Hungary and Poland for violations of fundamental rights of LGBTQI people, stating: "Europe will never allow parts of our society to be stigmatized."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LGBT rights in Austria</span>

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBTQ) rights in Austria have advanced significantly in the 21st century, and are now considered generally progressive. Both male and female forms of same-sex sexual activity are legal in Austria. Registered partnerships were introduced in 2010, giving same-sex couples some of the rights of marriage. Stepchild adoption was legalised in 2013, while full joint adoption was legalised by the Constitutional Court of Austria in 2016. On 5 December 2017, the Austrian Constitutional Court decided to legalise same-sex marriage, and the ruling went into effect on 1 January 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LGBT rights in Finland</span>

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) rights in Finland are among the most advanced in the world. Both male and female same-sex sexual activity have been legal in Finland since 1971 with "promotion" thereof decriminalized and the age of consent equalized in 1999. Homosexuality was declassified as an illness in 1981. Discrimination based on sexual orientation in areas such as employment, the provision of goods and services, etc., was criminalized in 1995 and discrimination based on gender identity in 2005.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LGBT rights in Denmark</span>

Danish lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) rights are some of the most extensive in the world. In 2023, ILGA-Europe ranked Denmark as the third most LGBT-supportive country in Europe. Polls consistently show that same-sex marriage support is nearly universal amongst the Danish population.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LGBT rights in France</span>

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) rights in France are some of the most progressive by world standards. Although same-sex sexual activity was a capital crime that often resulted in the death penalty during the Ancien Régime, all sodomy laws were repealed in 1791 during the French Revolution. However, a lesser-known indecent exposure law that often targeted LGBT people was introduced in 1960, before being repealed in 1980.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LGBT rights in the Netherlands</span>

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBTQ) rights in the Netherlands are among the most advanced in the world. Same-sex sexual activity was legalized in 1811 after France invaded the country and installed the Napoleonic Code, erasing any remaining sodomy laws. No more sodomy laws were enacted after the country received independence. An age of consent equal with that of heterosexual activity was put in place in 1971. During the late 20th century, awareness surrounding homosexuality grew and society became more tolerant of gay and bisexual people. The changes eventually led to homosexuality's declassification as a mental illness in 1973 and a ban on discrimination based on sexual orientation in the military. The Equal Treatment Act 1994 bans discrimination on account of sexual orientation in employment, housing, public accommodations, and other areas. This was extended in 2019 to include discrimination based on gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics. After the country began granting same-sex couples registered partnerships benefits in 1998, the Netherlands became the first country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage in 2001. Same-sex joint and stepchild adoption are also permitted, and lesbian couples can access IVF as well.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LGBT rights in Montenegro</span>

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people in Montenegro face legal challenges not experienced by non-LGBT residents. Both male and female same-sex sexual activity are legal in Montenegro, but households headed by same-sex couples are not eligible for the same legal protections available to opposite-sex married couples.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LGBT rights in Andorra</span>

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) rights in Andorra have advanced significantly in the 21st century, and are now considered generally progressive. Civil unions, which grant all the benefits of marriage, have been recognized since 2014, and discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation is constitutionally banned. The General Council passed a bill on 21 July 2022 that would legalize same-sex marriage in 2023, and convert all civil unions into civil marriage. In September 2023, Xavier Espot Zamora, the Prime Minister of Andorra, officially came out as homosexual.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LGBT rights in Luxembourg</span>

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people in Luxembourg have the same legal rights as non-LGBT people. Partnerships, which grant many of the benefits of marriage, have been recognised since 2004. In June 2014, the Luxembourgish Parliament passed a law enabling same-sex marriage and adoption rights, which took effect on 1 January 2015. Additionally, discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and "change of sex" in employment, healthcare and the provision of goods and services is outlawed, and transgender people are allowed to change their legal gender on the basis of self-determination.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LGBT rights in Monaco</span>

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people in Monaco may face legal challenges not experienced by non-LGBTQ residents. Both male and female types of same-sex sexual activity are legal in Monaco. However, same-sex couples and households headed by same-sex couples are not eligible for the same legal protections available to opposite-sex married couples. Monaco is the least developed among Western European countries in terms of LGBT equality.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LGBT rights in Portugal</span>

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) rights in Portugal are among the most advanced in the world; having improved substantially in the 21st century. After a long period of oppression during the Estado Novo, Portuguese society has become increasingly accepting of homosexuality, which was decriminalized in 1982, eight years after the Carnation Revolution. Portugal has wide-ranging anti-discrimination laws and is one of the few countries in the world to contain a ban on discrimination based on sexual orientation in its Constitution. On 5 June 2010, the state became the eighth in the world to recognize same-sex marriage. On 1 March 2011, a gender identity law, said to be one of the most advanced in the world, was passed to simplify the process of sex and name change for transgender people. Same-sex couples have been permitted to adopt since 1 March 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LGBT rights in Switzerland</span>

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) rights in Switzerland are some of the most progressive by world standards. Social attitudes and the legal situation have liberalised at an increasing pace since the 1940s, in parallel to the situation in Europe and the Western world more generally. Legislation providing for same-sex marriage, same-sex adoption, and IVF access was accepted by 64% of voters in a referendum on 26 September 2021, and entered into force on 1 July 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LGBT rights in Europe</span>

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBTQ) rights are widely diverse in Europe per country. 22 of the 38 countries that have legalised same-sex marriage worldwide are situated in Europe. A further 11 European countries have legalised civil unions or other forms of recognition for same-sex couples.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LGBT rights in Honduras</span>

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people in Honduras face legal challenges not experienced by non-LGBTQ residents. Both male and female types of same-sex sexual activity are legal in Honduras.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LGBT rights in the Americas</span>

Laws governing lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) rights are complex and diverse in the Americas, and acceptance of LGBTQ persons varies widely.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LGBT rights in the European Union</span>

LGBT rights in the European Union are protected under the European Union's (EU) treaties and law. Same-sex sexual activity is legal in all EU member states and discrimination in employment has been banned since 2000. However, EU states have different laws when it comes to any greater protection, same-sex civil union, same-sex marriage, and adoption by same-sex couples.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LGBT history in Belgium</span>

Lesbian, gay bisexual and transgender (LGBT) history in Belgium has evolved through the centuries. According to LGBT scholars Bart Eeckhout and David Paternotte, Belgium, considered a conservative nation, developed into one of the world's most progressive and LGBT-friendly states. From the 16th century, Roman Catholic values influenced attitudes towards LGBT rights. Homosexuality and sodomy was criminalised and punished in Belgium, with gay men being put under conversion therapy by medical doctors and psychiatrists. Homosexuality was decriminalised in the 18th century, but sodomy still remained punishable until the 19th century. However, from the 21st century, Belgium developed into a more LGBT friendly state; Belgium's anti-discrimination law ensures that discrimination based on sexual orientation is illegal and introduces new transgender legal rights. Belgium is the second country, after the Netherlands, to open civil marriage to same-sex couples in 2003, and granted same-sex couples the right to adopt in 2006. And continues to provide asylum for individuals who may be persecuted for their sexual and gender identity. Belgium has also implemented new education policies to combat school discrimination against LGBT peoples and has allowed IVF and artificial insemination to be available for same-sex couples. Belgium has also supported LGBT politicians and expression of LGBT values through art.

This is a list of notable events in the history of LGBT rights that took place in the year 2016.

References

  1. ↑ "Rainbow Europe". rainbow-europe.org. 20 February 2024.
  2. 1 2 3 Walker, Lauren. "Belgium celebrates 20 years of same-sex marriage". The Brussels Times. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
  3. ↑ "The 203 Worst (& Safest) Countries for LGBTQ+ Travel in 2023". Asher & Lyric. 5 June 2023. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
  4. ↑ "Country Ranking". Rainbow Europe . March 2016. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
  5. ↑ "2024 RAINBOW MAP". ILGA-Europe. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
  6. ↑ "Belgium completely outlaws conversion therapy". 22 July 2023.
  7. ↑ Baird-Remba, Rebecca. "13 Countries That Are More Gay Friendly Than America". Business Insider.
  8. ↑ State-sponsored Homophobia A world survey of laws prohibiting same sex activity between consenting adults Archived 17 July 2013 at the Wayback Machine
  9. 1 2 "LOI - WET". www.ejustice.just.fgov.be.
  10. 1 2 (in Dutch) Wetsvoorstel tot opheffing van de artikelen 372bis en 377, derde lid, van het Strafwetboek, Senate
  11. ↑ Dupont, Wannes (November 2019). "Pas de Deux: Out of Step, Diverging Chronologies of Homosexuality's (De)Criminalisation in the Low Countries". Tijdschrift voor Genderstudies. 22 (4). Amsterdam, the Netherlands: University of Amsterdam: 321–338. doi:10.5117/TVGN2019.4.001.DUPO. ISSN   1388-3186. OCLC   8453584756. S2CID   213698186 . Retrieved 3 June 2022.
  12. ↑ "Major legal consequences of marriage, cohabitation and registered partnership for different-sex and same-sex partners in Belgium" (PDF).
  13. ↑ Pullella, Philip; Campenhout, Charlotte (20 September 2022). "Defying Vatican, Flemish bishops allow blessing same-sex unions". Reuters. Retrieved 17 November 2022.
  14. ↑ "Belgian bishops agree to bless same-sex unions, defying Vatican". euronews. 20 September 2022. Retrieved 17 November 2022.
  15. ↑ The Flemish bishops (20 September 2022). "Homoseksuele personen pastoraal nabij zijn" [Being pastorally close to homosexual persons](PDF). kerknet (in Dutch). Retrieved 17 November 2022.
  16. ↑ "Belgium passes gay adoption law". BBC News. 21 April 2006.
  17. ↑ "Dra een oplossing voor lesbische meemoeders?". deredactie.be. 4 January 2014.
  18. ↑ "58 binnenlandse adoptiekinderen naar holebigezin in Vlaanderen". ZIZO-Online. 5 August 2015.
  19. ↑ 25 FEBRUARI 2003. - Wet ter bestrijding van discriminatie (...) / 25 FEVRIER 2003. - Loi tendant à lutter contre la discrimination (...)
  20. ↑ Wet van 10 mei 2007 ter bestrijding van bepaalde vormen van discriminatie / Loi de 10 mai 2007 tendant à lutter contre certaines formes de discrimination
  21. ↑ "Federale regering breidt antidiscriminatiewet uit met genderidentiteit en -expressie". ZIZO-Online. 29 November 2013. Archived from the original on 2 December 2013.
  22. ↑ "Betere bescherming dankzij uitbreiding discriminatiewet naar genderidentiteit en genderexpressie". Federal Public Service Justice. 29 November 2013. Archived from the original on 1 May 2015. Retrieved 23 December 2013.
  23. ↑ Wetsontwerp tot wijziging van de wet van 10 mei 2007 ter bestrijding van discriminatie tussen vrouwen en mannen met het oog op de uitbreiding ervan naar genderidentiteit en genderexpressie, Senate
  24. ↑ "Daders eerste homofobe moord in België veroordeeld". De Standaard. 22 December 2014.
  25. ↑ "Agressions, insultes, discrimination: record de plaintes pour homophobie en 2018". La Libre.be (in French). 2 May 2019.
  26. ↑ "Neuf personnes LGBT sur dix ont été violentées verbalement: "Il n'y a pas de zones totalement sûres à Bruxelles". La Libre.be (in French). 16 May 2019.
  27. ↑ Flandre, Flandreinfo be-L'Actu de (20 July 2023). "La Chambre approuve l'interdiction des pratiques de conversion". vrtnws.be (in French). Retrieved 21 July 2023.
  28. ↑ "Belgium bans conversion therapy with landmark parliament vote". 21 July 2023.
  29. ↑ (Dutch) |title=Wet van 10 mei 2007 betreffende de transseksualiteit; (French) |title=Loi du 10 mai 2007 relative à la transsexualité
  30. ↑ Transseksuele personen in België – 2012 Archived 24 March 2017 at the Wayback Machine , Institute for the equality of women and men
  31. ↑ "Staatssecretaris voor Gelijke Kansen Elke Sleurs wil af van medische eis in transgenderwet". ZIZO-Online. 13 January 2015.
  32. ↑ "België schaft in 2018 medische eis voor transgenders af". ZiZo Online. 8 December 2016.
  33. ↑ "It's soon to become easier to change sex". Flandersnews.be. 8 December 2016.
  34. ↑ "Projet de loi réformant des régimes relatifs aux personnes transgenres en ce qui concerne la mention d'une modification de l'enregistrement du sexe dans les actes de l'état civil et ses effets". Archived from the original on 31 July 2017. Retrieved 21 February 2020.
  35. ↑ "LOI - WET". www.ejustice.just.fgov.be.
  36. ↑ "Nouvelle loi transgenre: qu'est-ce qui change en 2018?". RTBF Info (in French). 22 December 2017.
  37. ↑ "Çavaria trekt naar Grondwettelijk Hof voor optimalisering transgenderwet". ZiZo-Online. 10 January 2018.
  38. ↑ "Transgenderwet deels vernietigd". GaySite.nl (in Dutch). 19 June 2019.
  39. ↑ "Transgenderwet wordt deels vernietigd: naast M en V, binnenkort ook X op identiteitskaart?". VRT.be (in Dutch). 19 June 2019.
  40. ↑ "la Cour constitutionnelle juge la loi transgenre partiellement discriminatoire". RTBF.be (in French). 19 June 2019.
  41. ↑ "Loi transgenre: les seules mentions "M" et "F" jugées inconstitutionnelles". Le Soir.be (in French). 19 June 2019.
  42. ↑ Magnette, Paul; De Croo, Alexander (30 September 2020). "Verslag van de formateurs" (PDF) (in Dutch). Retrieved 27 February 2021.
  43. ↑ "New legal gender recognition legislation approved by Belgium! | ILGA-Europe". www.ilga-europe.org. Archived from the original on 6 June 2017.
  44. ↑ "– Belgium – New Gender Recognition Law with obstacles". 24 May 2017.
  45. ↑ Geens, Koen. "Zelfbeschikking centraal in nieuwe transgenderwet | Vice-eersteminister, minister van Justitie en minister van Europese Zaken". Koen Geens.
  46. ↑ "Nouvelle réglementation pour les personnes transgenres | Service public federal Justice". justice.belgium.be.
  47. ↑ "Record: 727 geslachtswijzigingen in Rijksregister in België in 2018". BeOut (in Dutch). 19 January 2019. Archived from the original on 29 December 2021. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
  48. ↑ "Française Chloë wil in Gent geslachtsoperatie ondergaan". deredactie.be. 14 July 2014.
  49. ↑ "CRC/C/BEL/Co/5-6". tbinternet.ohchr.org.
  50. ↑ "Official website of Intersekse Vlaanderen" (in Dutch).
  51. ↑ "Avis du CSH relatif à la sécurisation maximale de la collecte et de la transfusion sanguine (CSH 8094)" (PDF) (in French). Brussels: FPS Health Belgium. 18 February 2005. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 July 2011. Retrieved 24 September 2009.
  52. ↑ "La lutte contre l'interdiction du don de sang par les homosexuels - FDF". FDF. Archived from the original on 30 December 2013. Retrieved 28 December 2013.
  53. ↑ "Don de sang : les homos toujours à l'index". Arc-en-ciel Wallonnie. Archived from the original on 30 December 2013. Retrieved 28 December 2013.
  54. ↑ "Don de sang impossible pour les homosexuels: Ecolo demande à Onkelinx d'agir". La Libre Belgique. 3 September 2009. Retrieved 28 December 2013.
  55. ↑ Genot, Zoé (May 2013). "Homo/Don de sang : Onkelinx reconnait que le dossier avance lentement... !". Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 28 December 2013.
  56. ↑ "Homo's mogen binnenkort bloed geven, "maar enkel als ze twaalf maanden geen seks hebben gehad"". De Morgen (in Dutch). 7 November 2016. Retrieved 10 November 2023.
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  67. ↑ (in Dutch) Vlaams minister van onderwijs Pascal Smet out zich als homo
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  69. ↑ "Petra De Sutter op tweede plaats Europese lijst Groen". Het Laatste Nieuws. 25 February 2014.
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  74. ↑ "VTM verspreidt de eerste beelden: hier is Bo Van Spilbeeck". Het Laatste Nieuws. 30 January 2018.
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