Hainaut is governed by federal Belgium law. Learn more
- Homosexuality
- ⚢✔ Legal
- Gay Marriage
- ⚭✔ Legal
- Censorship
- ✔ No censorship
- Changing Gender
- ✔ Legal, no restrictions
- 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 (less than 6-month deferral)
- Conversion Therapy
- ✔ Banned
- Age of Consent
- ✔ Equal
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Public Opinion
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Suggest Public Opinion DataHistory
Homosexual activity in Hainaut is legal.
Current status
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 Hainaut is legal.
Current status
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), making it the second country in the world to recognise same-sex marriage. Statutory cohabitation remains available for those who do not wish to enter into a civil marriage.
Censorship of LGBT Issues in Hainaut 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 Hainaut is legal, no restrictions.
Current status
Since Jan 1, 2018
Legal, no restrictions
Surgery no longer necessary to change legal gender.
Legal recognition of non-binary gender in Hainaut 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 Hainaut is illegal.
Current status
Since 2003
Illegal
LGBT employment discrimination in Hainaut is sexual orientation and gender identity.
Current status
Since 2003
Sexual orientation and gender identity
LGBT housing discrimination in Hainaut is sexual orientation and gender identity.
Current status
Since Jan 1, 2003
Sexual orientation and gender identity
Same-sex adoption in Hainaut is legal.
Current status
Since Apr 21, 2006
Legal
Serving openly in military in Hainaut is legal.
Current status
Legal
Unsure of date. Gay and lesbian soldiers are not guaranteed promotions through the military for fear of possible blackmail.
Equal age of consent in Hainaut is equal.
Current status
Since 1985
Equal