Homosexuality in Belgium

Geographical location of Belgium

Homosexuality is socially accepted in Belgium . Social tolerance towards homosexuals is relatively high. Belgium is considered a very liberal country with regard to homosexual rights and their equality . There are several clubs and discos in Belgium that are geared primarily towards gay and lesbian audiences.

legality

Homosexual acts were decriminalized in 1974. The age of consent was brought into line with heterosexuals in 1985.

Anti-discrimination laws

Gays and lesbians today have the same rights as heterosexual citizens and are not excluded from military service as in many other countries. In Belgium, homosexuality is no longer discriminated against by law. In 2003, an anti-discrimination law was passed, according to which it is no longer permitted to discriminate against homosexuals, for example in the labor or housing market, because of their sexual orientation.

marriage

Belgium was the second country in the world to marry after the Netherlands in 2003 ; previously, in a first legal step, it had already enabled so-called legal living together in parliament across the country. Since 2006, adoption has also been possible for same-sex, married or unmarried couples. An opinion poll in which the populations of all countries of the European Union were asked for their opinion on "gay marriage" showed that 62% of all citizens of the country are in favor of same-sex civil partnership for Belgium.

Social situation

At the end of 2012, the Belgian Prime Minister Di Rupo expressed the opinion that tolerance towards homosexuals was decreasing.

Web links

Commons : Homosexuality in Belgium - Collection of pictures, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

↑ Art. 143 ZGB ZGB, doc
↑ Art. 343 ZGB ( MS Word ; 2.0 MB)
↑ Queer.de: Belgium allows gay adoption , April 21, 2006
↑ 365gay.com: Europe Split On Gay Marriage ( Memento of the original from January 29, 2008 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. @1@ 2
↑ http://www.queer.de/detail.php?article_id=18047

[1] Art. 143 ZGB ZGB, doc

[2] Art. 343 ZGB ( MS Word ; 2.0 MB)

[3] Queer.de: Belgium allows gay adoption , April 21, 2006

[4] 365gay.com: Europe Split On Gay Marriage ( Memento of the original from January 29, 2008 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. @1@ 2

[5] ttp://www.queer.de/detail.php?article_id=18047