Country Overview
Belgium
At a glance
Same-sex Relations for Men Legal Throughout the Country?
Same-sex Relations for Women Legal Throughout the Country?
Legal Gender Recognition Possible?
LGBTI Orgs Able to Register?
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Belgium is progressive when it comes to both laws and public opinion about LGBTIQ people, but issues remain. Discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression is banned, same-sex couples may marry and adopt, and transgender people may change their legal name and gender markers without medical intervention. In 2022, a bill was introduced to ban conversion therapy, although Parliament has not yet approved it. Public opinion is generally accepting of LGBTIQ people, and a majority of Belgian people believe that same-sex marriage should be legal. Belgian media generally depicts LGBTIQ people positively, and LGBTIQ people have openly served in government positions. Despite this, LGBTIQ people are still subject to harassment and physical violence—in 2018, over 100 cases of homophobic discrimination were reported, a 38% increase from the previous 5-year average. Medically unnecessary surgeries on intersex infants also continue to be legal.
Global Impact
Sub-Saharan Africa
Outright supports LGBTIQ organizations in Sub-Saharan Africa and works with mainstream human rights organizations to respect human rights and influence positive changes in laws, policies, attitudes and beliefs that cause discrimination against LGBTIQ people.
United Nations
Our work at the United Nations centers around advocating for the advancement of the rights of LGBTIQ people.
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Our work in Asia promotes acceptance of sexual and gender diversity at all levels of society.
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In the Middle East and North Africa, we partner with local groups in various countries as part of our international solidarity work. We also work with our local partners on different topics through capacity building, advocacy, research and holistic security.
Europe and Central Asia
Outright International partners with activists to fight for an end to human rights violations based on sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression in Europe and Central Asia, where most of our work involves emergency responses to harassment, discrimination, violence, and most recently, Russia’s brutal and expanded invasion of Ukraine.
Americas
Our work in the Americas continues to build on the fundamental and positive transformation of human rights protections in recent years. We partner with groups in the Caribbean that focus on ending gender-based violence and eradicating discrimination against trans people.
Pacific
Our work in the Pacific aims to increase the visibility of activists, respond to human rights emergencies, and actively bridge local, regional, and international activism to achieve equality and justice.
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Human Rights Research
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