Brussels Pride rolls back demand Jewish attendees must hide their religion
Brussels Pride (Getty Images)
Brussels Pride has reportedly pulled back after telling a Jewish group in Belgium that they could only join the event if they hid that they were Jewish.
Mazal Pride, a Belgian group representing LGBT+ Jewis, was allegedly told by Brussels Pride that they could join the parade, “but with conditions that deeply hurt us”.
In a message in the “BaLaGan! – LGBT+ Jews in and around Brussels” Facebook group, a member of Mazal Pride said they had received a list of conditions.
The message read: “We do have a place at Pride and within the LGBTQ+ community in Brussels, and they accept us without conflating us with Israel.
“They are aware that Jews face risks in Belgium. However, because of the second point, they fear that our participation could put us in danger. As a result, they would only potentially agree to our participation if we are forbidden from bringing out logo, the Magen David, or even using the word ‘Jewish’ on our banners.”
It continued: “Hearing this at an event that is supposed to celebrate pride and the freedom to exist was extremely painful.
“The message we ultimately receive is that our presence is acceptable only if it is not too visible. That we are welcome as long as we know how to hide… we refuse to accept erasing our identity as the solution. We refuse the idea that Jewish people should have to hide who they are in order to participate in a public, activist, and celebratory space.”
The post said that the group had decided to attend regardless “and prouder than ever”, even if they would have to “participate without overly distinctive symbols”.
According to Jewish News, however, those conditions have since been removed and Jewish attendees will be permitted to display symbols of their religion.
PinkNews has contacted Brussels Pride and Rainbow House Brussels for comment.
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