Gay & Lesbian in Belgium

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Gay & Lesbian in Belgium

On 30 January 2003 Belgium became only the second country in the world to legally recognise same sex marriages – with restrictions. Additional legislation, came into force in October 2004, and now allows any same sex couple to marry in Belgium regardless of nationality as long as one of them has lived in Belgium for at least three months.

Since April 2006 a same sex couple have also been permitted to adopt children and in addition, any child born to one of the same-sex couple may be affiliated to the non-biological parent by means of adoption.

• See AngloINFO INFOrmation page on Same-Sex Marriage in Belgium

Gay Associations and Groups in Belgium

Belgium has an active gay and lesbian community and there are many associations and social groups.

Alliage - Gay and Lesbian Association Belgium. This association is supported and part funded by various official bodies. It supports gays and lesbians faced with discrimination and offers counselling services as well. Although based in Liège it provides information and links to hundreds of groups and associations throughout Belgium.

• Alliage
  At: Hors-Château 7, 4000 Liège
  Tel: 04 223 65 89
  e-mail
  Website

ILGA - International Lesbian and Gay Association
This international organisation has over 300 groups throughout the world fighting for equal human rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.

• Belgian ILGA
  At: Kolenmarkt 81, 1000 Brussels
  Tel: 02 502 24 71
  Website

Federation des Associations Gays et Lesbiennes (FAGL) is an umbrella group for Gay and Lesbian Associations. This association fights for the integration and the improvement of living conditions of the gay and lesbian population within society.

• FAGL (French speaking community)
  At: Rue Marché au Charbon 42, 1000 Brussels
  Tel: 0477 53 19 58
  Website (in French)

Gay Vlaanderen is a Flanders Association for gays, lesbians and bi-sexuals. 

• e-mail 
  Website (in Dutch)

Gay World is a website for the gay community in Belgium with information on events, magazines and travel. 

• Website (in Dutch)

Homoparentalities is an association for gay and lesbian parents and parents-to-be in Belgium. It organises meetings, activities for children and parents and can provide legal advice.

• At: Maison Arc-en-Ciel, Rue du Marché au Charbon 42, 1000 Brussels
  e-mail
  Website

Holebifederatie is a gay and lesbian association for the Flemish speaking community in Belgium

• Website

Aide Info SIDA – organisation offering support and information on AIDS.

• Aide Info SIDA
  At: rue Duquesnoy 45,1000 Bruxelles
  Helpline: 0800 20 120 Monday to Friday from 18:00-21:00
  Tel: 02 514 29 65
  Fax: 02 502 54 14
  e-mail
  Website

Gay Events in Belgium

Plenty of gay and lesbian events are held throughout the year including the annual Belgian Lesbian and Gay Pride. The BLGP website gives an overview of the history of the gay and lesbian movement in Belgium.

• BLGP website 

The main Belgian tourist Website devotes a section to Gay and Lesbian Belgium and details many other events. It also provides links to gay friendly restaurants, clubs and accommodation.

• Visit Belgium Website

Gay and Lesbian in Brussels

• EGG: English Speaking Gay Group Brussels. The group organises one or two parties a month. The website also offers a gay guide to Belgium and Brussels
• Arc-en-Ciel: Brussels-based gay and lesbian sporting association, also organising many other cultural and social events (in French)
• LesBiGay Brussels: website for gays, lesbians and bisexuals in Brussels. It has a What's On Section, plus a guide to the top places to go in Brussels as well as links to associations
• Brussels Gay Sports: English-speaking association for a range of sporting and social activity including volleyball, badminton, swimming, tennis, body conditioning, yoga and ballroom dancing. Also has a links section to other sporting and non-sporting gay and lesbian groups
• Maison Arc-en-Ciel / RainbowHouse: Brussels gay and lesbian information and meeting point and umbrella group for associations in the Brussels Capital region. Offers a place for many smaller groups to meet including the English-Speaking Gay Group Brussels
  At: Rue Marché au Charbon 42, 1000 Brussels
  Tel: 02 503 59 90
  e-mail
  Website (in French and Dutch)
• Brussels Gay and Lesbian Hikers Club: informal, multilingual hiking group for gays and lesbians in the Brussels area. Gentle walks are on offer or longer walks for more serious hikers

Further Information

• Gay Times
• AngloINFO INFOrmation page Same Sex Marriage in Belgium