Twelve years into annually reporting on the human rights situation of LGBTQIA+ people, Europe’s leading LGBTQIA+ equality organisation finds that pervasive hate speech across the region has led to life or death consequences.
Tag: Latvia
FLORIDA SOLO ROAD TRIP | Key West
In May 2022, our friend and colleague Dennis De Roover travelled for the first time in his life – solo – outside Europe. He set his sights on a road trip in Florida in the United States. He’s so kind to share his story.
The Tall Ships Races to return to Antwerp in 2026 and 2030
Last weekend, The Tall Ships Races once again came to Antwerp. Combined with the Bollekesfeest beer festival, it attracted huge crowds. The sailing event will return to Antwerp in 2026 and 2030.
RAINBOW EUROPE MAP AND INDEX 2022 | These are the LGBTQIA-friendly and LGBTQIA-unfriendly countries in Europe
As democracy in Europe comes under growing pressure, the annual ILGA-Europe Rainbow Map and Index identify steps forward on LGBTI rights in several countries.
Passenger Locator Form to mostly disappear, except if you enter Belgium from outside the European Union, including stopovers
On Friday 4 March 2022, the Consultative Committee of Governments in Belgium has announced a major relaxation of coronavirus countermeasures in the Kingdom under Code Yellow. You will only need to wear a face mask on public transport (train, tram, bus, metro) and in hospitals or other collective care facility. This ‘almost back to normal’…
Political and governmental homophobia and transphobia in Europe not necessarily backed by public opinion
A report from ILGA-Europe, the leading LGBTQI organisation in Europe and Central Asia finds that amid a rise in official anti-LGBTI rhetoric fuelling a wave of hate crime in every country in Europe, there is a growing institutional resolve to tackle hatred and exclusion.
COVID-19 and Anti-LGBTQI initiatives make queer life harder in Europe
A survey of LGBTQI organisations across Europe and Central Asia finds they face significant challenges in the face of growing anti-LGBTQI forces, and the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. ILGA-Europe conducted a survey with LGBTI organisations across the continent.
Belgium turns orange after nine months in red on European COVID-19 travel map
Belgium is about to become an orange area again after being a red zone for nine months. After the Kingdom of Belgium itself allowed leisure travel abroad again, turning orange is big factor for travel.
European Union declared ‘LGBTIQ Freedom Zone’ but reality is quite different
On 11 March 2021, the European Parliament passed a resolution declaring the European Union a ‘LGBTIQ Freedom Zone‘. This resolution was a reaction to self-declared LGBT-free and ‘LGBT-ideology’ free zones in Poland and Hungary. But ILGA-Europe made a state of the European Union regarding the real-life situation of queer people in the EU.
So we can travel, but where to?
From today, we can travel to and from Belgium. That travel can be non-essential. But while we can leave Belgium for another member state of the European Union or a member state of the Schengen Area, it is important to research which country is welcoming tourists.