West-Vlaanderen is governed by federal Belgium law. Learn more
- Homosexuality
- ⚢✔ Legal
- Gay Marriage
- ⚭✔ Legal
- Censorship
- ✔ No censorship
- Changing Gender
- ✔ Legal, no restrictions
- Gender-Affirming Care
- ✔ Legal
- Non-Binary Gender Recognition
- ✖ Not legally recognized
- Discrimination
- ✔ Illegal
- Employment Discrimination
- ✔ Sexual orientation and gender identity
- Housing Discrimination
- ✔ Sexual orientation and gender identity
- Adoption
- ✔ Legal
- Intersex Infant Surgery
- ✖ Not banned
- Military
- ✔ Legal
- Donating Blood
- ✖ Banned (less than 6-month deferral)
- Conversion Therapy
- ✔ Banned
- Age of Consent
- ✔ Equal
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Public Opinion
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Homosexual activity in West-Vlaanderen is legal.
Current status
Since Sep 3, 1944
Legal
Belgium was liberated in September of 1944. Belgian civil law reverted back to pre-war laws.
Illegal (death penalty as punishment)
Belgium was under German occupation during World War II and thus Paragraph 175 was in effect.
1795–May 28, 1940
Legal
Legalized under French rule and the Napoleonic Code.
Same-sex marriage in West-Vlaanderen is legal.
Current status
Since Jun 1, 2003
Legal
Civil marriages for same-sex couples were enabled by Article 143 of the Belgian Civil Code (Book I, Title V, Chapter I), making it the second country in the world to recognise same-sex marriage. Statutory cohabitation remains available for those who do not wish to enter into a civil marriage.
Censorship of LGBT issues in West-Vlaanderen is no censorship.
Current status
No censorship
In Belgium, there are no laws restricting the discussion or promotion of LGBTQ+ topics.
Right to change legal gender in West-Vlaanderen is legal, no restrictions.
Current status
Since Jan 1, 2018
Legal, no restrictions
Surgery no longer necessary to change legal gender.
Gender-affirming care in West-Vlaanderen is legal.
Current status
Since 1998
Legal
In 1998, Belgium adopted the ICD-10 classification, which contains codes for diagnosing transsexualism in adulthood and childhood, which authorize the initiation of medical transition.
Legal, but restricted for minors
In 1979, Belgium adopted the ICD-9 classification, which included codes allowing for the diagnosis of transsexualism in adults.
Restricted
In 1991, Belgium legalized sterilization, which de facto meant legalizing sex reassignment surgery, however, medical records regarding transsexualism had to be obtained abroad.
Until 1975
Banned
Medical transition is not possible
Legal recognition of non-binary gender in West-Vlaanderen is not legally recognized.
Current status
Not legally recognized
Belgium currently does not legally recognise non binary gender, however in 2019 the Constitutional Court ruled that current laws were unconstitutional. The government planned to introduce an "X" gender marker for ID cards in 2022. However, it was decided instead to remove gender markers from identity cards altogether. Thus, there is still not any legal recognition for non-binary individuals.
LGBT discrimination in West-Vlaanderen is illegal.
Current status
Since 2003
Illegal
LGBT employment discrimination in West-Vlaanderen is sexual orientation and gender identity.
Current status
Since 2003
Sexual orientation and gender identity
LGBT housing discrimination in West-Vlaanderen is sexual orientation and gender identity.
Current status
Since Jan 1, 2003
Sexual orientation and gender identity
Same-sex adoption in West-Vlaanderen is legal.
Current status
Since Apr 21, 2006
Legal
Intersex infant surgery in West-Vlaanderen is not banned.
Current status
Not banned
Intersex infants in Belgium may undergo medical interventions to have their sex characteristics altered. Human rights groups increasingly consider these surgeries unnecessary and, they argue, should only be performed if the applicant consents to the operation. In February 2019, the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child recommended Belgium to ban these surgeries and provide intersex infants and their parents counseling and support. (Pending Ban)
Serving openly in military in West-Vlaanderen is legal.
Current status
Legal
Unsure of date. Gay and lesbian soldiers are not guaranteed promotions through the military for fear of possible blackmail.
Equal age of consent in West-Vlaanderen is equal.
Current status
Since 1985
Equal
Legal Rights
87 / 100
This region's Equality Index is based on legal rights alone. Please submit survey results that show the public opinion of LGBTQ+ issues in West-Vlaanderen to help improve its accuracy.
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West-Vlaanderen LGBT Organizations
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Alternative names: Wes-Vlanderen, West-Vlaanderen, West-Flandern, Flandre-Occidentale