Belgian deputy prime minister confirms gender reforms as part of GEC Europe digital event

One of Belgium’s deputy prime ministers has confirmed that the Belgian government is to press ahead with gender recognition reforms that will see non-binary people officially recognised for the first time.

Petra De Sutter, who as deputy prime minister is the most senior transgender politician in the world, was speaking as part of a digital event hosted by the parliamentary LGBT+ network the Global Equality Caucus, in one of her first interviews on LGBTI rights since her appointment last October.

“We are going to reform the gender recognition law to address specifically the situation for non-binary people,” De Sutter said in an interview with Boris Dittrich, a Senator from the Netherlands where activists are also pushing for similar reform.  “We already have a good law for legal gender recognition but it has overlooked non-binary people.”

The confirmation comes after the De Croo Government pledged to comply with a Constitutional Court ruling that existing legislation was exclusionary.  The new law would make Belgium one of the first countries in Europe to legally recognise non-binary people, after Germany and Iceland.

The interview with De Sutter will air as part of Lawmakers for LGBT+ Equality, an interactive online broadcast that brings together legislators and civil society representatives from across Europe to discuss equality challenges as well as progress on LGBTI rights.

Other speakers include Leo Varadkar, the former Taoiseach of Ireland who currently serves as deputy prime minister; Helena Dalli, the first ever dedicated EU Commissioner for Equality; and Nancy Kelley, the Chief Executive of UK-based LGBT organisation Stonewall.

Digital events have already been held in South & Central America and Oceania as part of the series, which is supported by Google.  The Europe event will premiere via YouTube on 9 March 17:00 GMT/18:00 CET.

Senator Dittrich, who serves as moderator for the entire event, said: “This event is a unique opportunity to engage with some inspirational leaders who have dedicated their careers to fighting for LGBT+ equality.  While we will be discussing progress on laws in Western Europe, we will also be amplifying the voices of LGBT legislators and activists from Eastern Europe, who are fighting on the frontline against a worrying tide of violence and discrimination.  This is just one of the ways the Global Equality Caucus can help to make a difference to LGBT+ lives.”

Those interested in watching and participating in the event can register for details and reminders via the Global Equality Caucus website.