On 30 January 2003, Belgium came to be just the 2nd country in the world to lawfully acknowledge same-sex marital relationships-- with limitations. Extra regulations entered force in October 2004, and also now allows any same-sex couple to marry in Belgium, regardless of nationality, as long as among them has resided in Belgium for at the very least three months.
Given That April 2006, a same-sex pair have additionally been allowed to adopt kids and, in addition, any type of child born to one of the same-sex pair may be connected to the non-biological parent through fostering.
Belgium has an active gay and lesbian area and also there are numerous organizations and social groups.
Alliage - Gay and also Lesbian Organization Belgium. This organization is sustained and partly funded by different official bodies. It supports gays as well as lesbians confronted with discrimination and additionally offers coaching solutions. Although based in Li\u00e8ge, it gives details as well as links to thousands of groups and also organizations throughout Belgium.
ILGA - International Lesbian as well as Gay Association This global organisation has over 300 teams throughout the world fighting for equivalent civils rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual as well as transgender people.
Gay World (in Dutch) is an internet site for the gay community in Belgium with information on occasions, magazines and traveling.
Homoparentalities is an organization for gay and also lesbian moms and dads as well as parents-to-be in Belgium. It organises meetings, activities for kids and also moms and dads, and also can provide lawful suggestions.
Holebifederatie is a gay and also lesbian organization for the Flemish talking neighborhood in Belgium
Lots of gay as well as lesbian events are held throughout the year, consisting of the yearly Belgian Lesbian and Gay Pride. The Belgian Pride web site gives an introduction of the background of the gay as well as lesbian movement in Belgium.
The major Belgian vacationer site devotes an area to Gay and Lesbian Belgium and also information lots of various other occasions. It also provides web links to gay friendly restaurants, clubs and also holiday accommodation.
New Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo recently named Petra De Sutter as one of his government's deputy prime ministers. De Sutter is Europe's highest-ranking transgender political leader.