The laws displayed for Brussels are the same as Belgium.
- Homosexuality
- ⚢✔ Legal
- Gay Marriage
- ⚭✔ Legal
- Censorship
- ✔ No censorship
- Changing Gender
- ✔ Legal, surgery not required
- Non-binary gender recognition
- ✖ Not legally recognized
- Discrimination
- ✔ Illegal
- Employment Discrimination
- ✔ Sexual orientation and gender identity
- Housing Discrimination
- ✔ Sexual orientation and gender identity
- Adoption
- ✔ Legal
- Military
- ✔ Legal
- Donating Blood
- ✖ Banned (1-year deferral)
- Conversion Therapy
- ✖ Not banned
- Age of Consent
- ✔ Equal
Suggest Public Opinion Data
1795–May 28, 1940
History
Homosexual activity in Brussels is legal.
Current status
Since Sep 3, 1944
Since Sep 3, 1944
Legal
Belgium was liberated in September of 1944. Belgian civil law reverted back to pre-war laws.
Illegal (death penalty as punishment)
Belgium was under German occupation during World War II and thus Paragraph 175 was in effect.
1795–May 28, 1940
Legal
Legalized under French rule and the Napoleonic Code.
Same-sex marriage in Brussels is legal.
Current status
Since Jun 1, 2003
Since Jun 1, 2003
Legal
Civil marriages for same sex couples were enabled by Article 143 of the Belgian Civil Code (Book I, Title V, Chapter I).
Statutory Cohabitation remains available for those who do not wish to enter into a civil marriage.
Statutory Cohabitation remains available for those who do not wish to enter into a civil marriage.
Censorship of LGBT Issues in Brussels is no censorship.
Current status
No censorship
In Belgium, there are no laws restricting the discussion or promotion of LGBTQ+ topics.
Right to change legal gender in Brussels is legal, surgery not required.
Current status
Since Jan 1, 2018
Since Jan 1, 2018
Legal, surgery not required
Surgery no longer necessary to change legal gender.
Legal recognition of non-binary gender in Brussels is not legally recognized.
Current status
Not legally recognized
Belgium currently does not legally recognise non binary gender, however in 2019 the Constitutional Court ruled that current laws were unconstitutional. The government planned to introduce an "X" gender marker for ID cards in 2022. However, it was decided instead to remove gender markers from identity cards altogether. Thus, there is still not any legal recognition for non-binary individuals.
LGBT discrimination in Brussels is illegal.
Current status
Since 2003
Since 2003
Illegal
LGBT employment discrimination in Brussels is sexual orientation and gender identity.
Current status
Since 2003
Since 2003
Sexual orientation and gender identity
LGBT housing discrimination in Brussels is sexual orientation and gender identity.
Current status
Since Jan 1, 2003
Since Jan 1, 2003
Sexual orientation and gender identity
Same-sex adoption in Brussels is legal.
Current status
Since Apr 21, 2006
Since Apr 21, 2006
Legal
Serving openly in military in Brussels is legal.
Current status
Legal
Unsure of date. Gay and lesbian soldiers are not guaranteed promotions through the military for fear of possible blackmail.
Blood donations by MSMs in Brussels is banned (1-year deferral).
A new law will be going into effect soon.
Not yet in effect
Going into effect Jul 1, 2023
Going into effect Jul 1, 2023
Banned (3-month deferral)
Starting July 1 2023, MSM who would like to donate blood face a 4-month deferral period.
Banned (1-year deferral)
Blanket ban replaced by a 1 year deferral period.
Conversion therapy in Brussels is not banned.
Current status
Not banned
Not banned. A conversion therapy ban was announced in 2022, but no law is in effect as of now.
Equal age of consent in Brussels is equal.
Current status
Since 1985
Since 1985
Equal
Equality Index ?
N/A
There is not enough information on Brussels for an Equality Index to be assigned. Please contribute LGBTQ+ rights information or survey results that show the public opinion of LGBTQ+ issues in Brussels to help improve its accuracy.
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- bradcoffey106 11 contributions
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- equaldex 1 contribution
- Samanthos 1 contribution
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Common queries:
- Is it illegal to be gay in Brussels?
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- Is gay marriage legal in Brussels?
Alternative names: Brussels Hoofdstedelijk Gewest, Région de Bruxelles-Capitale, Brussel, Brüssel, Bruxelles