In the United States, the Trump administration’s latest move against trans rights is hitting universities where it hurts most — their funding. A new “Compact for Academic Excellence” demands that schools comply with an ideology that denies the existence of transgender people, defining “male” and “female” solely through “reproductive function and biological processes.” In short: sign away your inclusivity, or lose your money.
At first glance, this might seem like distant news — another episode in the ongoing U.S. culture war. But for queer people everywhere, including here in Brussels, it’s a stark reminder that our rights are never guaranteed. The struggle for visibility, dignity, and self-definition transcends borders. What happens in Washington can ripple through classrooms in Europe, through funding policies, and even through the words we use to describe ourselves.
We spoke to Nora, a trans student from Belgium currently studying abroad, who feels the impact deeply. “It’s not just about America,” she says. “When a government says universities should stop recognizing trans students, it sends a message to the world: that trans lives are negotiable. And that’s terrifying.”
Universities — those spaces meant for curiosity, debate, and the celebration of difference — are now finding themselves at the crossroads of ideology and survival. The idea of “academic freedom” is being twisted into a test of obedience. When political power starts deciding who counts as a man or a woman, it stops being about education altogether. It becomes about control — about shrinking the world instead of expanding it.
And yet, amidst the fear, there’s resilience. Across campuses in the U.S. and Europe, students and professors are organizing, building networks of solidarity that defy national borders. “You can’t unlearn humanity,” says Nora with a smile. “We exist — and we’re not going anywhere.”
You may also like
-
Love on Trial: Japan’s Marriage Equality Battle Continues
Last Friday, the Tokyo High Court upheld Japan’s ban on same-sex marriage, ruling that the
-
Colombia Says Yes to Gender Diversity on ID Cards
In a major step for gender rights, Colombia now allows citizens to choose “trans” or
-
La Nuit Positive: Belgian Artists Unite Against HIV
The line-up for the second edition of La Nuit Positive is confirmed! Colt, Red Sebastian, Leon, Sing
-
A Historic Step for Queer Marriage Across Europe
This week, the European Court of Justice delivered a ruling that many in our community
-
EGOW Brussels: A Welcoming Community for Lesbian & Bisexual Women
Are you looking to meet new friends and connect with other women who love women
English 
French 
Dutch