Brussels Pride Will Continue Despite the Closure of The Belgian Pride Organization

This year’s Brussels Pride will still take place as planned, continuing its mission to celebrate and advocate for LGBTQIA+ rights, even if The Belgian Pride Organization just filed bankruptcy. Remarkably, these developments coincide with the Brussels Pride’s recent recognition as part of the intangible cultural heritage of the Brussels region, underscoring its cultural significance in Belgium.

However, in early October, the Brussels Commercial Court declared the ASBL The Belgian Pride bankrupt, marking the end of a key era for the organization that initially launched the Pride in 1996. Founded as the Belgian Lesbian and Gay Pride Roze Zaterdag Samedi Rose, this ASBL eventually rebranded as The Belgian Pride in 2010. Over its nearly three decades of advocacy, the organization grew Pride from a small gathering of 2,000-4,500 participants to a massive celebration that drew between 60,000 and 200,000 participants in May’s latest event.

Behind this success, however, were mounting internal conflicts. Tensions within the organization reportedly intensified due to financial challenges and the COVID-19 pandemic. Allegations of financial mismanagement surfaced, leading to the exclusion of some members and raising concerns about the organization’s leadership. A source close to the organization remarked, “Not only were there internal conflicts, but questions were raised about the ASBL’s financial management. Board members in an ASBL can be held personally liable in cases of gross negligence.” These issues created a divide within the LGBTQIA+ community and ultimately led to a shift in management.

In 2021, RainbowHouse, an LGBTQIA+ umbrella organization, took over the organization of Brussels Pride, now known as Brussels Pride – In the Capital of Europe. With this shift, financial support also changed hands. The City of Brussels redirected a subsidy of €5,000 from The Belgian Pride to RainbowHouse, and the event itself rebranded as Rainbow Festival in 2022. The tourism agency visit.brussels, which previously partnered with The Belgian Pride, also adjusted its collaboration, handling logistics for the Pride independently of The Belgian Pride for the past two years. Jeroen Roppe, a spokesperson for visit.brussels, noted, “For us, nothing has changed.”

The ASBL’s financial troubles worsened as subsidies ceased, leaving it with no means to cover outstanding debts. The last publicly available financial report from 2020 showed over €59,000 in short-term debt. Without the annual support previously provided, The Belgian Pride faced mounting challenges, leading to its eventual bankruptcy.

Pascal Smet, a long-time Pride advocate and former Brussels minister, reassured the community that Brussels Pride’s future remains secure, despite the ASBL’s closure. “What matters is that the annual Pride is safeguarded,” Smet told BRUZZ. He emphasized the importance of balancing the Pride’s activist and celebratory aspects: “I’m convinced that turning Pride into a festival for all will also help communicate its activist message more effectively to the public.”

Corporate sponsorship remains a topic of debate within the LGBTQIA+ community. While some express concern over “pinkwashing,” Smet argues that private sector involvement can be beneficial, stating, “Despite the debates, I believe Pride must remain open to private sector support.”

As the Pride movement evolves in Brussels, its essence of advocacy and celebration remains unshaken, and its future is firmly in the hands of committed organizations and individuals who continue to uphold its values.