That pedestrian crossing is there for a reason. It is an invitation. To help build a city where you are allowed to be who you are.

During Pride Week, Brussels adorns itself in all the colours of the rainbow. Rainbow pedestrian crossings are also refreshed, and new colours of the trans flag appear in Molenbeek, Saint-Gilles and Schaerbeek: blue, pink and white. A powerful and visible signal: this is where we fight for LGBTQIA+ rights. But symbols are not sufficient.

Because while painting, we also faced aggression from passers-by. If even this symbol of inclusion and safety evokes resistance, it is clear: the work is far from finished. That pedestrian crossing is there for a reason. It is an invitation. To help build a city where you are allowed to be who you are.

In 2023, Unia recorded more reports of discrimination and hate crimes against LGBTQIA+ persons. That is not wiped away with a lick of paint. We must fight it, every day, with action and policy.

Because Pride is not a marketing stunt. Pride is a protest. Authoritarian leaders like Orbán in Hungary want to ban Pride - which shows how vulnerable acquired rights are. The extreme right is advancing, even among us. If we are not careful, the right to be who you are and love who you want will once again become the subject of political struggle.

Brussels can (should) take the lead. As the capital of Europe, we bear a particular responsibility. Brussels should not only be a safe place for LGBTQIA+ people, but also a proud defender of their rights. This commitment was already recognised when Brussels Pride was officially declared an intangible cultural heritage.

For many young people, Pride is one of the few moments when they feel seen, safe and supported. They should be able to feel that way every day. In every street, at every school, at everyone's work. Brussels is still far from safe for everyone.

This is why Brussels is also committed to empowering bystanders. Everyone can play a role in stopping cross-border behaviour. By teaching Brussels residents how to safely intervene, we make our city more humane and safer.

We are proud of Brussels: a city of many languages, identities and contrasts living together. But amazement alone is not enough. Our diversity deserves protection, visibly, tangibly and every day.

That is why politicians must act. Embedding LGBTQIA+ rights in the constitution is essential. So that no one, not even a future government, can simply take those rights away.

A rainbow zebra crossing is not an end point. It is a visible signal that our public space is there for everyone. That is why we defend it, not just with paint, but with policy, awareness-raising and alliance. Because true equality requires more than symbols. It requires courage. And daily struggle.