Belgian Lesbian & Gay Pride is an annual event in Brussels since 1996 (it actually evolved from Pink Saturday gay pride observations that were first held in honor of New York City's Stonewall Riots in Antwerp beginning in 1979). This year, the 2009 Belgian Pride takes place on Saturday, May 16, and includes several events through the day, all taking place in the city center of this urbane, gay-friendly, and rather underrated city that's just 300 kilometers northeast of Paris and 200 kilometers south of Amsterdam. Here's a quick look at the events that make up Gay Pride in Brussels in 2009:
The festivities commence at 11 am on Saturday morning, May 16 with a pair of gatherings. At Brussels City Hall, there's a political debate on GLBT rights, organized by the Fédération des Associations Gayes et Lesbiennes and Holebifederatie. And at the same, at the Church of Notre Dame du Bon Secours on Rue du Marche Charbon, there's a nondenominational reflection service.
At noon, in the charming St. Jacques section of the city, along the narrow rue du Marche au Charbon (an area with the city's most popular gay bars), Belgian Lesbian & Gay Pride sets up its pedestrian-only Rainbow Village,, complete with shops, open-air cafes, four entertainment stages, and vendors displaying information about local GLBT social and political organizations. The Rainbow Village celebration lasts until midnight.
An hour later, at 2 pm, the Belgian Gay Pride Parade kicks off along blvd. Anspach, between the Bourse and Place Fontainas, with the march proceeding toward Gare du Midi.
Then on Saturday night, beginning at 11 pm, there's a massive Gay Pride Party at the city's largest concert venue, Ancienne Belgique, located at Anspachlaan 110, steps from the Rainbow Village. Tickets to the Pride Party cost 15 euros, and you buy them at the door (there's no presale).
Many of the city's gay-popular restaurants, hotels, and shops have special events and parties throughout Pride Week. Check local gay papers, which are distributed at popular gay bars like L'Homo Erectus and TelsQuels. And check out the Brussels Gay Travel Guide by Patroc.com, which is very handy and has extensive information on the local gay scene. Additional excellent trip-planning resources are the Gay Travel site produced by Tourism Flanders, and the Gay Travel site operated by the Belgian Tourist Office.
