Number of same-sex marriages in Belgium 2014-2022

In 2022, Belgium’s townhalls have registered around 1,400 same-sex marriages. Marriage between same-sex couples was legalized in the country on the first of June 2003. It is the second European country to do so after the Netherlands in 2001, and therefore, the second worldwide. Spain was the third European country to legalize these unions in 2005. Since then, many countries have legalized same-sex marriage. In 2019, same-sex marriage is available in 28 countries.

Marriages in Belgium

In 2017, 43 percent of people in Belgium said marriage was their dream, while 31 percent of people believed marriage was a piece of paper. Regardless of feelings about marriage, Belgium's townhalls registered over 44,000 marriages in that year, of which over 1,100 were same-sex unions. As a comparison, 1,400 same-sex marriages were registered in the Netherlands in 2019. However, Belgian courts also pronounced 393 same-sex divorces in 2018.

LGBTQ+ rights in Belgium

Prior to same-sex marriage, gay couples could legally cohabit. This status exists for couples, although these rights do not equal those of marriage. Belgium is known for having some of European’s most progressive rights for LGBTQ+. The country had openly gay politicians, like the prime minister Elio Di Rupo.

Belgium actualized its anti-discrimination in 2007. This law punishes crimes motivated by hate based on, among others, sex and sexual orientation. In 2020, about 1,300 discrimination cases were registered by the federal police. The country’s progress for LGBTQ+ rights is far from being a worldwide case. In 2020, LGBTQ+ people still face the death penalty or imprisonment in certain countries.