From the 3rd until the 25th of November, Queer Leuven turns Leuven in Flemish Brabant into a hub of queerness, through the Queer Arts Festival Leuven. You can expect music, theatre, performances, exhibitions, films, talks, and workshops.

Together with more than 20 partners within the cultural field of Leuven, every day is a new day of exploring this uncharted territory.  In every corner of Leuven, you will be able to find something to do, from the big city theatre to the underground venues.

Queer Arts Festival Leuven believes in the power of queerness. “Queerness, for us, is everything and/or anyone who falls under the umbrella of LGBTQUIA+”, the mission statement says.

“Our events are not exclusive, but we demand attention to a safe space and respect between attendees. We highlight queer artists during these three weeks, in mainstream venues, and underground ones. Together, we want to build a new community, of queers and allies, to queerify Leuven.”

Queer Leuven?

What is Queer Leuven? “With Queer Leuven, we bring people from the queer community together and give them the opportunity to occupy space to express themselves. Queer Leuven provides and facilitates a sustainable platform for new narratives, and we actively build an inclusive society in which everyone is equal and feels recognized, thus stimulating social and cultural awareness.” 

“To achieve that goal, we offer a range of activities that allow queer people to discover art and express themselves creatively, through workshops, participation, festivals, performances, concerts, exhibitions, debates, and so on in all kinds of genres and disciplines. We also organize low-threshold events where people from the queer community can meet in a safe context.”

Opening Weekend 3-4-5 November

The Opening Weekend features a Pride Walk, drag performances, literature and debates.

Week 1: 6 to 12 November

Amongst other activities, Week 1 features the opening of Holebifilmfestival (HFF), which has existed for ages, and a Queer History Walk.

Week 2: 13 to 19 November 

In Week 2, gear up for ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show‘, LGBTQIA+ themed songs on the carrillon and the exhibition ‘Queer Horizons‘. 

Week 3: 20 to 25 November

Week 3 features the Flemish première of the film ‘Alma‘, ‘Queer Night‘ and ‘Closing Night: Queer Literature Fest‘.

All you need to know. 

Queer Belgium

• FLANDERS | LGBTQIA+ people more often unhappy, bullied and misjudged.
• Queer Arts Festival Leuven with pride parade from 3 to 25 November 2023.
• SPARTACUS GAY TRAVEL INDEX 2023 | Belgium 17th most gay travel friendly country; Malta on 1, Canada and Switzerland share 2nd.
• 1 in 3 LGBTQIA+ people in Flanders and Brussels experienced physical aggression in the past two years.
• EXHIBITION | ‘Homosexuals and Lesbians in Nazi Europe’, Kazerne Dossin, Mechelen.
• RainbowPages: interactive website promoting visibility, findability and safety by and for LGBTQIA+ people.
• Forbidden Colours helped over 500 queer refugees to flee war in Ukraine .
• Flemish LGBTQI+ press support rainbow community in Ukraine.
• ‘LGBTQIA+ BXL, Collecting Memories’ Exhibition in Brussels City Museum.
• MSK Gent – Museum of Fine Arts Ghent introduces LGBTQ+ tour.
• ANTWERP | LGBTQIA+ bookshop Kartonnen Dozen stops.
• BRUSSELS | Exploring gay intimacy and sexuality at ‘In The Mood For Love’ exhibition.
• City chronicle ‘De kleur van de stad maakt mijn ziel amoureus’ recounts Queer Antwerp history.
• Will Belgium win the Eurovision Song Contest ever again?.