Pride in the capital of diversity

As always, we have been aiming to put together a program with a wide range of activities to celebrate the diversity in our colourful city. The list is longer than ever, including some great new events such as Pink Saturday and of course our two main events on Saturday: a sparkling open air rave (WAVE) with top DJ's and acts, followed by a fabulous mixed night party : GORGEOUS. As Antwerp has been elected European Youth Capital 2011, we are very proud to present to you some joint initiatives within our program to illustrate how young and dynamic Antwerp is, also within the LGBTQ community.
Have a great pride week !

Antwerp Pride Team

Dear guest,

Antwerp belongs to everyone. The Antwerp city council wants to stimulate an equal opportunities policy for all. These opportunities need to be available for everyone, irrespective of gender, age, inclination, physical condition or origin. Diversity is a strength the city wants to capitalise on. With 'Antwerp Pride' the diversity department wants to support the emancipation process of gays and lesbians with a number of events that give 'the diversity within the diversity' a place to the general public. I hope that I can welcome you, gay, lesbian or straight, to these activities in huge numbers, because everyone should feel at home in Antwerp.

Monica De Coninck
Alderman of social services, diversity and counters

Dear visitor

Pride unites people. Pride about your city is something you like to share with the rest of the world or as the famous French philosopher Foucault once put it: '' vivre la proximité pour devenir citoyen du monde'. If you want to be a citizen of the world, start by discovering your own neighbourhood. That neighbourhood is diverse in Antwerp. Our LGBTQ community is an important, colourful and visible part of that diversity. So why not celebrate that unity-in-diversity with a smashing party to which we not only invite all of Antwerp, but people from far beyond our city limits? In Antwerp, we celebrate diversity as it makes us so much richer. Or just for the fun of it…

Philip Heylen
Alderman for culture and tourism

Dear guest,

The city of Antwerp is one of Belgium's prestigious and notorious city's due to its historical background marked by architecture and an open minded spirit. And that's also in terms of cultural and sexual diversity.
Antwerp Pride is a popular and festive event for equal rights, and I am honoured to be the spokesperson for the leather community. One finds plenty to do in our scene, daily attractions, major events like Leather Pride, and so on.

So, I am more than proud to welcome you, and I'm sure you will not resist the charm and you will get carried away by this exciting city.

Toti Wesh
Mister Leather Belgium 2011