Organisers expect around 200,000 people to attend Saturday’s Brussels Pride event, similar to last year’s attendance figures. Under the banner “Unite, time to protect our rights”, they are calling for renewed vigilance as LGBTQIA+ rights face mounting political pressure.
The event, organised by Visit.brussels and RainbowHouse Brussels, will mark the end of Pride Week in the Belgian capital. Members of the LGBTQIA+ community and their allies are expected to take to the streets to celebrate the community and raise awareness.
Pride Week kicked off on 7 May, celebrating the resilience and culture of LGBTQIA+ communities with more than 60 events. The parade itself will start at 14.30 on 17 May at the Mont des Arts and wind its way through the centre of Brussels.
EU Love Tunnel
Various European institutions, including the European Commission and the European Parliament, have announced their attendance at the event, aiming to demonstrate their commitment to diversity, inclusion, and LGBTQIA+ rights.
European commissioners for Equality and Enlargement, Hadja Lahbib and Marta Kos, will visit the Rainbow Village and the European Commission’s “Love Tunnel”, where they will launch an interactive digital game on LGBTQI+ rights.
The EU will also have its own float in the parade, from which vice-president of the European Parliament Sophie Wilmès and commissioners Kos and Lahbib will address the crowd.
Ensuring safety
The Brussels police expect large crowds in the city centre. “The city centre in particular will experience traffic disruption. We therefore advise people to use car parks and public transport or bicycles to get around,” they said.
Additional police officers, as well as plainclothes officers, will be deployed to ensure the safety of those taking part in the celebrations. “Our police stations will also be staffed to welcome everyone in the best possible conditions. Of course, the advice remains to call the emergency number 112 in case of urgent matters.”
