Monday – 17 May – is International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOT). For many years now, the ‘official’ LGBTQI movement has organised a visibility action by asking cities, communes, municipalities and districts in Flanders to fly the rainbow flag. 

All will do this by the 17th of May. It’s the third year in a row all local governments play along, says coordinator Jennifer Tuttle. 

While most of the world sees June as Pride Month as a moment for LGBTQI visibility, in Belgium May is the month of IDAHOT and the Belgian Pride in Brussels. 

This action is organised by the rainbow houses of the Flemish provinces and of Brussels under leadership of UniQue of Flemish Brabant. The other provinces are West Flanders, East Flanders, Antwerp and Limburg. 

LGBTQI visibility and acceptance is more poignant this year, after the Beveren Incident where David Polfliet was killed by some young guys who lured their victim via a gay dating app. Probably Grindr. 

Enough?

There is some criticism as some feel the action is only window dressing. 

But there’s more to it. The rainbow houses and çavaria offer free training sessions to local government officials.

Also, Unique president Dimitri Cools points out more and more municipal governments have an alderman or alderwoman for Equal Opportunities. In Flemish Brabant 39 out of 65.

These local governments are also asked to follow up on their sister cities’ behaviours. Flemish cities with sisterhoods in Poland and Hungary are asked to address the issue when said sister city declared itself ‘LGBT Ideology Free’. 

In Wallonia the rainbow flag action is less a thing. 

Previously

• Livestream and rainbow pavements in Brussels for Belgian Pride 2021 on 22 May.
• Brussels to be Rainbow City in pride month May as The Belgian Pride remains silent on any events.
• RAINBOW EUROPE MAP AND INDEX 2020 | These are the LGBT-friendly and LGBT-unfriendly countries in Europe.
• To be or not to be out and proud LGBTQ when travelling?.
• Are you travelling to a hostile destination?.
• European Union declared ‘LGBTIQ Freedom Zone’ but reality is quite different.
• European Union declared ‘LGBTIQ Freedom Zone’ as Belgium mourns murdered gay man.
• ILGA-Europe: COVID-19 affected LGBTI people’s human rights heavily.
• A plea for LGBTQ travel in post-communist Eastern Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia.
• Darklands 2020 was the last dance before COVID-19.
• Gender neutral uniforms for Aero K flight and cabin crew and ground personnel.
• NotJustWords: Antwerp Pride 2021 tackles hurtful language, plans open air events.
• LGBTQ+ get-together on Majestic Princess.
• HOW TO | Travel to the Eurovision Song Contest.
• Gays failing at being gay? ‘LGBTQ Mix & Mingle’ on Royal Caribbean’s Serenade of the Seas lacked enthusiasm.
• Gay Tel Aviv: pinkwashing or genuine?.
• Gay Taipei with misterb&b.
• Looking for intimacy in a crowd of strangers in Japan and South Korea.