Mechelen to organise a Pride Week from 2026?

At the Mechelen city council meeting on 27 May 2025, opposition party N-VA called on the city to organise a dedicated Pride Week, arguing that current efforts to promote inclusion and combat homophobia and transphobia are insufficient and poorly communicated.

The proposal was introduced in the context of IDAHOT or IDAHOBIT, the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia, marked on 17 May.

City councillor Freya Perdaens (N-VA) criticised what she described as a lacklustre commitment by the city to make the topic visible in public spaces. She noted that concrete plans for IDAHOT were only decided upon on 6 May, including the raising of the rainbow flag on the St. Rumbold’s Tower, repainting worn rainbow crossings, and distributing awareness buttons.

However, she pointed out that communication around these actions was minimal, with the availability of buttons only being announced three days before the event on the city’s website, and with no mention on its broader communication channels.

Perdaens argued that the city must play a greater role in raising awareness. “The fight against homophobia and transphobia is far from over in Flanders and in Mechelen”, she said.

“More than half of same-sex couples don’t dare hold hands in public, one in seven members of the rainbow community has been physically attacked in recent years, and one in five young people finds violence against gay people acceptable. These are deeply alarming statistics. As a local authority, we must send a clear signal of solidarity and connection.”

Pride Week

She proposed a week-long Pride Week in Mechelen, similar to those held in cities such as Antwerp, Brussels, and Leuven. In Brussels, Pride Week is ten days so it’s not unnecessary to mention the duration of the event.

The initiative, she said, could spotlight inclusion through a combination of informative and recreational activities, including awareness campaigns, educational events, and bystander training.

“With a programme that is both informative and enjoyable, the city can help spread the message of equal and shared rights”, Perdaens concluded.

Late

The city council acknowledged that this year’s IDAHOT initiatives were organised late and said it intends to prioritise inclusion efforts more strongly in the coming years.

However, the proposal was met with resistance from alderman for Cohabition Abdrahman Labsir (Voor Mechelen), responsible for Inclusion. While ruling out a full-scale Pride parade like those in Brussels or Antwerp—arguing such an event would interfere with those cities’ programming—he rejected the notion that Mechelen had not done enough.

“The idea that we’re not making sufficient efforts is simply not true”, Labsir said. “Since the start of the last legislative term, we have increased activities and initiatives focused on inclusion, with active involvement from the rainbow community.”

Rainbow Games

Labsir highlighted events such as the Rainbow Games, a sporting event held in Mechelen in recent years, and the pride edition of Parkpop as examples of the city’s ongoing commitment.

“It’s true that this year is a transitional year”, he admitted. “But inclusion remains a top priority in our policy plans. We are working closely with local organisations to tailor initiatives specifically to Mechelen’s scale and identity.”

Beyond symbolic gestures

He added that the city aims to move beyond symbolic gestures, such as flag-raisings, by embedding awareness initiatives within community life.

Youth and sports clubs, for example, are being included in ongoing efforts. Labsir also cited the ‘Ask for Angela‘ project—a safety initiative that allows individuals feeling unsafe in local hospitality venues to discreetly seek assistance—as part of the city’s broader strategy for inclusive and grassroots awareness-building.

Despite differing views on the pace and scale of action, both the opposition and the city council agree that continued efforts are needed to foster inclusion and support the LGBTQIA+ community in Mechelen.

Does top-down pride work?

Pride being organised top-down by policy makers. May not go down well with (part of) the LGBTQIA+ community. Also, N-VA is really unpopular with some on the rainbow. The party also LGBTQIA+ voters obviously, but at Brussels Pride it gets booed – and worse.

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