It’s summer so it’s time for Antwerp Pride and Antwerp Queer Arts Festival (AQAF). From 4 to 27 August 2023, AQAF hosts queer artists being queer, in the alternative, quirky, more rebellious sense of the word. Antwerp Pride, from 9 to 13 August, is more mainstream, openly catering to everyone and thus attracting a general, more mainstream LGBTQIA+ and allied public. This year’s pride theme is ‘Braveolution‘.

Beyond Antwerp Pride succeeds to the Human Rights Friday concept of Antwerp Pride. Under the ‘brand’ Beyond Antwerp Pride there are workshops and other activities and events which are not party-oriented, but are societal, political, academic, …

“Beyond Antwerp Pride looks ‘beyond’ the solely celebratory aspect of the pride and invites you think, listen, discuss and work towards a more inclusive world”, Antwerp Pride says. 

“Join us as we undogmatically explore our theme ‘Braveolution’, this year with even more possibilities for intellectual enrichment with multiple days of interesting discussions, thought-provoking opinions, inspiring opinions and creative activism.”

Beyond Pride Discusses: safe, safer, brave

Wednesday 9 August, 5.30 PM. ‘Safe, safer, brave‘. 

What exactly is the difference between a safe, a safe(r) and a brave space? What’s the added value of the spaces? What implications do they have on our community? What can society as a whole learn from our community? Can our city be transformed into a brave space and how is this practically accomplished? This year’s Antwerp Pride theme, ‘Braveolution’, raises some thought-provoking questions. In this debate we delve deeper on the topic of safe(r) and brave spaces.

Beyond Pride Educates: workshop ‘How to Brave Space’

Thursday 10 August, 6 PM at Het Roze Huis Antwerpen. ‘How to Brave Space‘.

How do we create an environment which functions as a brave space? Whether it is at work, at school, at your local community or even at home. In this worshop we faciltate you in with the tools and knowledge to create a space where everyone feels safe, comfortable and empowered. After the workshop you can immediately, if desired, join the festivities at the Midsummer Party organised by Café Den Draak.

Beyond Pride Empowers: dealing with the contra-movement

Friday 11 August, 6 PM at De Studio. ‘Dealing with the contra-movement‘.

The regressive movement against the rights, which we have so painstakingly fought for the past decades, is picking up momentum in the past few years.

Who are the instigators of this contra-movement? Where do they come from? How do they operate? How must we deal with people who glorify xenophobia?

In this interactive workshop we unpack this regression and inform you on how to deal effectively with this contra-movement.

Register to access

As to ensure that all our activities are accessible to all, they are all free of charge. However registration is mandatory for attendance. Moreover, registration does not guarantee that you will be able to attend the event. On the day itself we’ll employ a first come – first serve system to ensure no seats are left unfilled.

In short, register in advance and be sure to be on time!

Beyond Pride Protests: Take my hand

Sunday 13 August, all day long, everywhere in Antwerp. ‘Take my hand’.

“From a poll by VTM (Flemish news-agency) held last year, it became clear that over one in four of Flemish people find it unacceptable if people with the same gender-identity walk hand-in-hand. We at Antwerp Pride find it high time we leave this antiquated notion in the past.”

“Walking hand in hand with someone of the same gender identity needs to happen without disapproving glances or worse.”

“Therefore we call on all people in Antwerp regardless of your gender- and sexual-identity to take a stand! On Sunday August 13th we ask you all to walk our streets hand-in-hand with someone of the same gender-identity or with someone who doesn’t dress gender conforming.”

“Do you for example have a partner, but normally don’t dare to walk hand-in-hand, this is your day! But also as hetero man, dare to walk hand-in-hand with your best hetero friend, a drag queen or someone of the LGBTQIA+ community who identifies as a man. Talk about real heterosexual masculine energy! Or do you walk as a single woman always hand-in-hand with your bestie, then go all out!”

“In short, if everyone walks hand-in-hand, then we turn the whole city into a brave space and show the world this is nothing unusual, when or wherever this may happen. Because walking is always better with someone at your side!”

Antwerp Pride 2023 & Antwerp Queer Arts Festival 2023

• ANTWERP PRIDE 2023 | WE Fashion and OUTtv provide safe change / fitting rooms for going to the pride parade.
• ANTWERP PRIDE 2023 | Holding hands for visibility on Sunday 13 August.
• ANTWERP PRIDE 2023 | Eurovision’s Gustaph to perform at Closing Festival on Sunday 13 August.
• ANTWERP PRIDE 2023 | Opening Night concert & party at OLT Rivierenhof.
• 4-27 AUGUST | Antwerp Queer Arts Festival 2023 programme and schedule.
• 2023 Antwerp Pride Parade route includes Kloosterstraat and a hello to czar Peter the Great.
• Antwerp Pride 2023 Festival at Cockerillkaai.
• ANTWERP PRIDE 9-13 AUGUST 2023 ‘BRAVEOLUTION’ | Make Antwerp a brave and safe.
• ANTWERP PRIDE 2023 | ‘Braveolution’ to Brave Space Antwerp.
• Antwerp Queer Arts Festival 2023 seeks contributors.
• ANTWERP PRIDE | Geert Van Praet succeeds retiring chairperson Bart Abeel.
• PHOTOS | Antwerp Pride 2023 from Wednesday 9 to Sunday 13 August.

Darklands 2023-2024

• Darklands 2024 from 27 February to 4 March.
• ANTWERP | Darklands 2024 going into ‘The Void’ under new, stricter city rules.
• “Darklands: The Hotel was an idea of A-Stay”.
• DARKLANDS 2023 | Programme and schedule.
• DARKLANDS 2023 | A-Stay to become official Darklands: The Hotel.
• Darklands 2023 from Tuesday 7 to Tuesday 14 March in Antwerp.
• Darklands 2023 to and from Deep Space.

Queer Antwerp

• Antwerp Pride, Jeffrey’s, Marie Antoinette, Armand Everaert win 2023 Touristico Gaylive Awards.
• ANTWERP | LGBTQIA+ bookshop Kartonnen Dozen stops.
• Rainbow zebra crossings of Antwerp.
• Rainbow zebra crossing in Borgerhout.
• Rainbow zebra crossing in Berchem.
• City chronicle ‘De kleur van de stad maakt mijn ziel amoureus’ recounts Queer Antwerp history.
• ‘Masculinities: Liberation through Photography’ exhibition at FOMU, Antwerp’s photography museum.
• Antwerp’s LGBTQI+ bookshop Kartonnen Dozen wins Çavaria Media Award.
• PHOTOS | Rainbows lit Antwerp.
• Flemish LGBTQI+ press support rainbow community in Ukraine.
• ALLEMAAL ANTWERPENAAR | Antwerp launches campaign to motivate citizens to stand up against discrimination and intimidation.
• Borgerhout flies intersex inclusive Rainbow Progress Pride Flag for IDAHOT.