The Chancellery dons its rainbow colours

May is traditionally an important month for diversity and the rights of the LGBTQIA+ community, i.e. persons who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans(gender), queer, intersex and/or asexual.

This month of awareness will reach a climax with the Brussels Pride on Saturday 18 May, when Belgian artist Alice on the Roof will be performing a song she wrote especially for the Belgium. Embracing Openness campaign launched by the FPS Chancellery of the Prime Minister.

Multiple initiatives to celebrate diversity will take place in the week leading up to 18 May (Pride Week). The Belgian federal administration is committed to fostering an inclusive society in which everyone is equal, and is proud of being an employer which respects the diversity of gender identities.

The Chancellery has planned the following initiatives:

• the rainbow flag will be raised at 16 Rue de la Loi and the Lambermont building
• panels in rainbow colours will be covering three windows of the facade of 16 Rue de la Loi
• special flags highlighting Belgium's openness to diversity will be raised in front of the Résidence Palace – International Press Centre (IPC)
• roller banners illustrating diversity with visuals from the Belgium. Embracing Openness campaign will be displayed at the entrance halls of 4 Rue Ducale and 16 Rue de la Loi, as well as at the entrance of the underground press room
• members of staff will receive small rainbow-themed gifts, and there will be a range of posts on the Chancellery's various social media pages to promote Pride Week and the various initiatives to mark this occasion
• members of staff will be encouraged to add a diversity awareness banner to their e-mail signature throughout the month May
• the BePROUD network, which unites LGBTQIA+ members of staff and their allies within the federal administration, will be promoted. This network aims to help LGBTQIA+ staff in the civil service to feel at ease in the workplace by raising awareness of relevant issues, acting as a support group and helping to make the administration ever more inclusive