Same-sex marriage and same-sex adoption: Socio-political context of the rights of gay and lesbian people in Belgium

Belgium is considered as being on the forefront of a number of rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people (LGBT). In the 1990s, the law on legal cohabitation made it possible for same-sex couples to draw up cohabitation contracts. Belgium then became the second country in Europe to authorise marriage between same-sex partners in 2003, as well as opening up access to parenthood to LGBT people, in 2006. In addition, the Government has launched several programmes to fight against homophobia in schools and in society in general.
The aim of this paper is to describe the changes that have taken place in Belgian legislation from traditional family law through to the opening up of marriage and parenthood to homosexual couples, analysing the arguments which have been put forward in support and against it, as well as the potential rational behind shared agendas. It will also describe the emergence of the LGBT movement in Belgium, the various non-governmental organisations which are active in the country and the role they play. An overview of current events will be presented (changes in the number of marriages, divorces and adoptions in Belgium). Finally, the paper will discuss the reactions of Belgian society and the challenges which LGBT people living in Belgium still have to face.
In this way, we aim to contribute towards an overview of the current socio-political context in Belgium, in order to better understanding the processes at work in a country which wants to be seen as gay-friendly.