We are back

From August 6th onwards, our proud metropolis will once again show its most beautiful, colourful and diverse side. We celebrate being who we are — warmly, inclusively, with protest and with joy — as we have done for eighteen years now. Can you even imagine an Antwerp summer without the positive spirit of Pride?

Or perhaps we should say… We’re still allowed! Because while we look forward to another wonderful Pride, we cannot ignore that the past months have been shocking for the queer community. Things that seemed unimaginable only last year have abruptly

become harsh, grim reality for many. If we were riding a train of progress in recent

years, it now seems to be slowing down — or even coming to a halt. And not just in countries often dismissed with ‘Well, they’re more conservative anyway,’ but also in the nations surrounding us. Who would have thought last year that, in a European country, it would become constitutionally forbidden to peacefully gather and defend your fundamental human rights? It happened in Hungary. Who would have thought you could go on holiday to a country where same-sex parents risk losing their hard-won adoption rights? It happened in Italy. Who would have thought you’d need to be cautious when travelling to the United States? A long-awaited transgender bill in the Netherlands was shelved by parliament, effectively stifling democratic debate on the well-being of trans people. And on top of that: the ruling by the UK Supreme Court that only biological women may call themselves women, a verdict applauded by Labour Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

It sends shivers down ones spine when a government deliberately endangers the well-being and safety of part of its population out of sheer opportunism. Whether it’s our community or any other group in society at risk of discrimination.   We know there is a well-organised and well-funded movement behind this downward spiral, bringing together various extremes. The far right and extremist religious groups are united in undermining human rights and dismantling the rule of law. They cleverly exploit social media to turn (young) people against the values we fought so hard to defend. For years, Prides and countless organisations have warned against this. Staying vigilant and alert to what happens on the fringes of Europe has long been a core message of Antwerp Pride. The result is that we must now redouble our efforts to prevent what happens elsewhere from spreading to our metropolis.

But there is positive news too. The Italian Supreme Court has overturned the law mentioned above. Poland has rolled back most of its anti-queer measures and appears to be on a better path again. The Mayor of Budapest resists hispresident’s policies, flies rainbow flags and even attended Pride with our friends in Brussels. According to the Happy City Index, we live in one of the five happiest cities in the world, in a country ranked second on the ILGA Rainbow Europe Index. Our politicians do not hesitate to call out other  countries endangering the lives of queer people and work hard to further protect our rights. Let’s hope Europe takes note, because the union is not exactly brimming with ambition to follow our country’s lead.

The fact that we are relatively safe here does not mean we can sit back and relax.

This year, Antwerp Pride has therefore chosen the theme: Do Not Just March. Listen. Act. Commit.

No matter how festive Antwerp Pride may be, it is more than just a celebration! Especially in these troubling times, it is up to all political parties that have joined our parade for years to show their true colours. It is up to all companies, trade unions, schools and other institutions that join in the festivities to truly embrace their commitment and continue to promote diversity and inclusion in the workplace, in classrooms, on and off the sports field... even after the party ends. And it is up to all partygoers and visitors to stay awake after Pride. To embrace all the letters in the LGBTQIA+ community and carry them with us in our fight, without distinction. To remain vigilant whenever other human rights are at stake, here and across the globe. After all, human rights are not a grab bag you can pick and choose from. If we want to prevent our society from crumbling further, it is up to everyone to listen, act and commit.

So: Do Not Just March. Listen. Act. Commit.

We are also excited to announce a new initiative. This year, Pride in Town expands

its programme with a cosy afternoon at Sint-Andriesplaats: Queer Families in Town, where (rainbow) families and their (grand)children can celebrate Pride together.

You’ll find all the information on our website.

We wish everyone a meaningful, festive and connecting Antwerp Pride!

The Antwerp Pride Team:

Dennis, Dimitri, Geert, Geert, Jens, Kat, Khalid, Kristof, Wilfried

Text: Marcel Lennartz (he/ him)