Pride Week will be able to take place in Brussels after all this year. The annual event for the LGBT and trans community was in jeopardy after a grant of 40,000 euros was blocked due to the political impasse in the Brussels government formation process. On Friday it became clear Pride Week can go ahead with the same funding as last year.
Speaking in the Brussels parliament Brussels finance minister Sven Gatz (Flemish liberal/Open VLD) has confirmed the news that the subsidies would be granted.
The announcement is a relief to the organiser, the Rainbow House, which until last week had no certainty about the necessary financial support. Pride Week will take place from 7 to 16 May, culminating in the Brussels Pride March on 17 May.
Due to the lingering formation process, the Brussels Region is still working with provisional funding. Optional subsidies, such as those for Pride, are normally excluded from the caretaker arrangement.
Rights under pressure
Flemish green floor leader in the Brussels parliament Stijn Bex explains: "About 40,000 euros is needed for the Pride March and Pride Week. This is when cultural activities around queer activism, history and the movement’s future take place all over Brussels. Being able to continue to tell these stories is important, especially in times when lgbtqiap+ rights are coming under renewed pressure."
Last year, Brussels Pride attracted more than 200,000 visitors.