Happy New Year 2026: Pride, Solidarity, and Hope for the LGBTQIA+ Community

As 2025 closes with its challenges, 2026 begins with a renewed desire to breathe, to love, and to keep making our voices heard. This new year promises to be a key moment for the LGBTQIA+ community in Belgium and across Europe — a time full of hope, purpose, and shared pride.

A year to keep resisting and celebrating

The past year reminded us that visibility and LGBTQIA+ rights can never be taken for granted. With the rise of online hate speech, the rollback of protections in several European countries, and persistent social divides, 2025 tested our collective resilience.

But it also proved our strength. Local associations, youth collectives, queer artists, and allies have kept our spaces of freedom, joy, and culture alive. Brussels, Liège, Ghent, and Charleroi have all pulsed to the beat of Pride marches, drag shows, screenings, and community debates. This activist and creative energy — built on love and courage — will remain our compass in 2026.

Two major events not to be missed

This new year will be marked by two major highlights:

• The Belgian Pride, on May 16, 2026, in Brussels, celebrating its 30th edition. More information and updates at www.pride.be.
• EuroPride 2026, taking place in Amsterdam from July 31 to August 9, 2026. This European event will bring together activists and festival-goers from across the continent, in a spirit of celebration and international solidarity. Full program available at www.europride2026.com.

Two opportunities to march, dance, debate — and above all, to be seen.

Hopes for 2026

We enter this year with concrete hopes:

• The adoption of stronger Belgian policies against discrimination based on gender identity and expression.
• The rise of queer voices in media, politics, and culture.
• The growing impact of local inclusion initiatives in schools and workplaces.

Because every face, every story, every space open to diversity matters. 2026 will be the year we keep building, together, a fairer and kinder society.

To all LGBTQIA+ people, allies, chosen families, and communities of heart: a bright and proud New Year 2026. May it bring you strength, tenderness, and pride.

🌈 Love is resistance. Visibility is power. Pride never ends.