Liège in in the eponymous province hosted its first fully-fledged pride the past weekend. Some 3,800 people marched through the streets of the Cité Ardente or Fiery City. Some 10,000 attended Liège Pride as visitors. A success for the organising committee, which announced the dates for next year: Friday 22, Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 August 2025.
Pride is protest, but pride is also party. Party can be protest as well. “You got to fight for the right to party”, as the Beastie Boys sang in 1986.
The first Liège Pride was centered around the Espace Tivoli or Tivoli Event Space. Performance, party and a Pride Village where LGBTQIA+ organisations could present themselves.
Liège is proud! The first big Liège Pride is in full swing this Saturday, starting with an associative village on the Tivoli space where around thirty organisations are present.
Safety and security
Even today, LGBT people suffer different forms of harassment, whether in public or private spaces, as recalled by the President of Liège Pride, Vincent Bonhomme: “The fight against homophobic and transphobic harassment is the first theme of the first Liège Pride”
Because we see, we note when we talk to activists, when we talk to organizations, that there are still problems in families, in sport, at school, at work, it remains an issue. Even in 2024. I know that sometimes, we can say that everything is resolved. But in fact, no, everything is not resolved”, Bonhomme said to RTBF.
A success
For a new pride, announced quite late and with perhaps not a large notoriety yet, 10,000 attendants is a pretty number.
Liège Pride #2 has already dates in the calendar. That’s a good sign Liège Pride is a keeper. Many prides and pride organisers come and go. But perseverance and continuity are key to having an impact.
The latest on prides in Belgium
- Leuven Pride on Wednesday 10 October 2024 ft. 7 PM pride parade.
- Antwerp Pride 2025 from Wednesday 6 to Sunday 10 August.
- CHARLEROI PRIDE | Three days of inclusivity and festivities.
- Antwerp Queer Arts Festival from 3 to 31 August 2024: programme.
- Darklands 2025 from Tuesday 25 February until Monday 3 March.
- Limburg Pride 2025 to be hosted by Hasselt on Sunday 13 July.
- Brussels Pride 2024 programme starts on Wednesday 8 May with Pride Opening at Molenbeek and a Pride Week.
- Darklands 2025 theme: ‘Darklands Glows’, stays at Waagnatie until 2030.
- Queer March Ghent 2024 on Saturday 30 March at Viernulvier.
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