The evening is free, but registration is required.
A statement for freedom: An evening of pride at La Monnaie
R
By
Redactie
· 3 min read
As political tensions rise and major elections loom across Europe, De Munt, in collaboration with Forbidden Colours, Rainbow House Brussels and Visit.Brussels, is organizing a compelling evening dedicated to defending LGBTQI+ human rights, freedom of expression and the preservation of European democratic values. This event, titled STATEMENT FOR FREEDOM: LOVE - SPEAK - CREATE will take place on Monday 13 May 2024, during Brussels Pride Week, coinciding with the 19th anniversary of the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia.
Rémy Bonny, Executive Director Forbidden Colours
"Our research underscores a serious warning: Within the next five years, the European Parliament could turn against LGBTIQ+ rights. It is crucial that we show Europe we are determined to ensure that every individual can live a dignified and free life. This is the essence of our statement for freedom." Forbidden Colours is one of Europe's leading LGBTIQ+ organizations – working specifically at the intersection of equality and democratic resilience.
Peter de Caluwe, General and Artistic Director De Munt and Founding Board Member of Forbidden Colours
"It has always been my adagio that every human being deserves the same rights as those I dare to claim for myself. Where this moral foundation of democracy is certainly accepted, that changes when it comes to matters such as LGBTIQ+ rights or freedom of (artistic) expression. It is important to keep our eyes open and warn against intolerant views about our living together in harmony."
The evening begins at 19:30 with a welcome address from Peter de Caluwe, General and Artistic Director of De Munt. With the participation of: Hadja Lahbib (Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Affairs and Foreign Trade, and Federal Cultural Institutions), Petra de Sutter (Vice-Prime Minister and Federal Minister for Civil Service), Pascal Smet (Member of Parliament Vooruit, Brussels Parliament), Gilles Verstraeten (NVA Member of Parliament, Brussels Parliament), Marie-Colline Leroy (State Secretary for Equal Opportunities), Sophie In 't Veld (Member of the European Parliament Renew Europe, European Parliament), Sophie Rohony (Member of the European Parliament Défi), Victoriæ Defraigne (activist for the representation and visibility of transgender people in Brussels), Antoine Pickels, (author, exhibition curator (Trouble / (Pas si) Fragile!), professor (ENSAV - La Cambre)), Saskia de Coster (writer), Jallouad Alloul (composer and visual artist), Krystian Lada (director), Alexandra Ana (researcher Gender and Sexuality, ULB), Het Geluid (Bird's Nest) Gable and Romy Roelofsen.
Moderators are Jan Ducheyne (Party for Poetry and Poets on Watch) and Laurence Vielle (national poet and actress). The event will conclude with Rémy Bonny from Forbidden Colours, who wishes to emphasize the collective commitment to fighting intolerance and violence while fostering dialogue that bridges divides within communities. This is a crucial opportunity for political representatives, engaged artists and community leaders to come together in a shared dedication to upholding the dignity and rights of LGBTIQ+ communities, and to affirm the vital importance of artistic and expressive freedoms in a democratic society.
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