English 
French 
Dutch 
It happened again. The Dutch House of Representatives has voted—once more—to derail the transgender rights bill, without so much as a proper debate. A motion passed on 8 April calls on the government to withdraw the proposal for the Transgenderwet, a law designed to make legal gender recognition more accessible and dignified.
Trans communities, already under pressure across the globe, watched in dismay as the Netherlands, long considered a beacon of LGBTQIA+ rights, failed to uphold the democratic process for the second time. “We’re being erased without discussion,” said Remke Verdegem of Transgender Netwerk Nederland.
Despite a firm recommendation from State Secretary Struycken against the motion, several political parties—including PVV, NSC, and CU—voted in favour. Their message was clear: the wellbeing of trans people is negotiable. And this silence, this refusal to even have the conversation, echoes the rising tide of anti-trans rhetoric seen across the US and parts of Europe.
It’s more than just parliamentary procedure. It’s about respect. The respect to be heard. To be treated as equals in the eyes of the law. To not be dismissed with a wave of a political hand.
We know visibility isn’t enough if it isn’t backed by action. As online hate skyrockets and misinformation spreads, our resilience matters more than ever
This article was written thanks to WINQ magazine, as KET.brussels is part of the European LGBTQIA* Media Association.
Misschien wilt u ook
-
2025 Global and European Pride Calendar: Key Dates and Destinations
Pride celebrations in 2025 promise a vibrant display of unity, diversity, and activism across Europe
-
Sweden’s Eurovision 2025 Entry: KAJ and the Sauna Revolution
Sweden, long known for slick pop and polished choreography at Eurovision, has thrown its rulebook
-
Guinguettes Barc: Where Brussels Parks Get Their Groove (and Their Greens) On!
Launched in 2017 by Brussels Environment, the Guinguettes Barc are seasonal open-air bars and community
-
Lesbian Love Lives Wanted: Are You One of Brussels’ Hidden Heroines?
Julia M. Free’s upcoming VRT-Canvas docu-series, GAY & GREY, aims to shine a long-overdue light
-
Queering the Archive: Fefa Vila and Castillo on Chance, Memory, and Radical Pedagogy
On May 13, 2025, as Brussels begins to hum with Pride energy, a quieter, deeper