The artist Mustii opened the concerts. A few Ukrainian flags were present in front of the podium, installed on the Place de l’Albertine, among the multitude of rainbow flags and the colors specific to lesbians (red, orange, white, light pink and dark pink) and trans people ( blue, pink and white). The organizers expect some 100,000 people to march for their rights and to celebrate diversity in the streets of the capital.
The parade leaves from the central station, will pass by De Brouckère, Bourse, before ending near the Mons des Arts, below which is the pride village.
The “Open” theme calls for more inclusivity, respect and equality for LGBTI+ people (Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals, Trans, Intersex and others). “After two years of health crisis, the theme ‘Open’ has become obvious, but ‘Open’ also calls for daring to speak and daring to listen, because in 2022, there should no longer be any taboo around sexuality. or gender identity”, highlighted Laurent Mallet, president of the ASBL Pride. “A health village also brings together associations that work around this theme to make it easy to talk regarding sexuality, drug use…”
Secretary of State for Asylum and Migration Sammy Madhi (CD&V) was present alongside many elected officials from the PS, including Brussels Secretary of State for Equal Opportunities Nawal Ben Hamou. “
It is a moment of reunion following two years of pandemic and it is a message of openness, tolerance and living together: diversity is our wealth and we must cultivate it”, declared the Minister-President of the Brussels government. Rudi Vervoort (PS).
Federal Minister for Social Integration Karine Lalieux (PS) noted that “it’s important to be there for the PS, which has been in all the fights, and it’s important for me as a citizen who has always defended the freedom of everyone’s life choices. It is important to continue to fight once morest the homophobia that still exists in our neighborhoods. Even if Belgium is one of the best students in terms of rights, that does not mean that they are still fully applied, in the world of work and elsewhere”.
The Maison Arc-en-ciel in Brussels calls in particular for an end to the genital mutilation of intersex children in order to give them the choice of their sexual identity. The association also pleads for a total depsychiatrisation of the course of trans people aged 16 to 18 and encourages the development of a school that is more inclusive in relation to the diversity of identities.
In the Mont des arts gardens, the Pride Village hosts multiple associations and the Women Stage is reserved for female LGBTI+ artists.
