Name: Drag Show Performance
Start: 2024-04-26
End: 2024-04-26
Location: Chez Maman

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<p><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-57092" src="https://static.travelgay.com/media/67810/Gay-Brussels-Guide-2017.jpg" alt="gay-brussels-guide-2017" width="100%"></p>
<h2>Bruxelles / Brussel</h2>
<p>The compact capital city of Belgium, with a population of one&nbsp;million and a wider metropolitan population of twice that figure. It's also the capital of the European Union which therefore Europeans from every member state live and work in Brussels, which together with regular flows of tourists, make for a very cosmopolitan city.</p>
<p>The city has&nbsp;a lively central gay bar and international club scene. It is a popular destination with gay travelers and club goers from throughout Europe and beyond.</p>
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<h2>Gay Rights in Belgium</h2>
<p>Situated in the liberal heartland of Northern Europe, Belgium has a long held and well deserved reputation as tolerant and accepting of LGBT rights, and was just the second country in the world (after the Netherlands) to legalise same-sex marriage - in 2003.</p>
<p>Same-sex activity has been legal for considerably longer (since 1795) and the age of consent was equalised, to 16, in 1985.&nbsp;Adoption rights for gay couples were equalised to those for straight couples in 2006, and there is no ban on gay recruits from serving in the military.</p>
<p>Anti-discrimination laws in employment and social welfare provision came into force in Belgium in 2003, and since 2007 trans-gender rights have been formalised, granting Belgians the legal right to change their gender. In 2014 laws protecting gender identity/expression were formalised.</p>
<p>There are several openly gay Belgian MP&rsquo;s and the LGBT community generally is well-accepted and integrated into wider Belgian society.</p>
<p><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-27080" src="https://static.travelgay.com/media/67811/La-Demence-Brussels.jpg" alt="La Demence-Brussels" width="100%"></p>
<h2>Gay Scene</h2>
<p>The main gay scene of Brussels is located in the very centre of the city, behind the Grand Place, and is very convenient and easy to find.</p>
<p>The city&rsquo;s biggest and most famous gay dance party is&nbsp;<a title="La Demence @ Fuse Club" href="https://www.travelgay.com/venue/la-demence-fuse-club/">La Demence</a>&nbsp;at Fuse club, which attracts guys from all over Europe. Many guys even take the Eurostar train from London just to attend these monthly mega dance and cruise parties.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.travelgay.com/event/belgian-pride/">Brussels gay Pride festival</a> takes place every May for one week, leading up to Pride Day Brussels on the Saturday.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Getting to Brussels</h2>
<p><strong>By air</strong></p>
<p>The city&rsquo;s main airport is Brussels Airport (BRU) with frequent scheduled flights throughout Europe and beyond. The airport train connection runs every 15 minutes from level 1 and takes 15-25 minutes to reach the three main railway stations of Brussels and costs&nbsp;&euro;8.70.</p>
<p>Airport STIB bus 12 (express service before 8pm) and 21 (regular service after 8pm) run every 20-30 minutes and will take you to metro Station Schuman (metro lines 1 and 5). Get tickets before boarding from the machines as they are more expensive on the bus.An alternative bus is the Lijn, 272 and 471 to Brussels North station, just to the north of the city centre.</p>
<p>Brussels South Charleroi Airport (CRL) is used by several budget airlines, including Ryan Air and WizzAir.&nbsp;It's situated one hour south of the city, there is a shuttle bus to connect you to Brussels Midi/Zuid station.&nbsp;Best to book online for your return to the airport to avoid queuing.</p>
<p><strong>By train</strong></p>
<p>Brussels is well-connected to Europe&rsquo;s high speed rail network, with high-speed services using Midi/Zuid station, to the south of the city centre. This is a great option if you are travelling to Brussels from other major European cities such as Paris or Amsterdam (by Thalys) or from London (by Eurostar).</p>
<p>There are also high speed train connections from Schipol Airport via Amsterdam, Antwerp and Rotterdam (by Fyra), and Cologne, Frankfurt (by ICE).&nbsp;Do note to always&nbsp;book high speed train tickets as far in advance as you can, as ticket prices reflect demand.</p>
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<h5><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-64496" src="https://static.travelgay.com/media/67812/Brussels.jpg" alt="" width="100%"><em>The Grand Place</em></h5>
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<h2>Getting around Brussels</h2>
<p>If you are visiting Brussels for a few days, you will probably need no more than your own steam to get you where you want to be, with both the gay scene and the major city tourist sites being in the compact, largely pedestrianised central city area.</p>
<p>To explore the wider city, the best option is the reliable, clean and extensive Metro system, which has six lines. Announcements are in French, Dutch and English.</p>
<p>There is also an extensive bus and tram network, for which you can pre-purchase single (Jump one) tickets for &euro;2.10 (bus and tram only) Do remember to validate your ticket once aboard. &nbsp;For best value if using lots of public transport options, get a hold of a one-day pass (Jump 1 jour / 1 day) for &euro;7.50. Another great way to explore the city is by bicycle - Brussels has a low-cost Villo! short-term hire scheme for bikes with some 180 pickup and drop-off points around the city centre.</p>
<p>Brussels Bike Tours is another option if you want someone else to decide which direction to go in.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Where to Stay in Brussels</h2>
<p>The best tourist sights and most of Brussels gay venues are located near the Grand Place. There is an excellent choice of hotels in this area.</p>
<p>For our list of some of the best hotels in Brussels for gay travelers, visit the <a title="gay Brussels hotels" href="https://www.travelgay.com/gay-brussels-hotels/">Gay Brussels Mid-Range + Budget Hotels</a> and the <a title="gay Brussels luxury hotels" href="https://www.travelgay.com/gay-brussels-luxury-hotels/">Gay Brussels Luxury Hotels</a> pages.</p>
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<h5><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-64499" src="https://static.travelgay.com/media/67813/The-Atomium-Brussels.jpg" alt="The Atomium Brussels" width="100%"><em>The Atomium</em></h5>
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<h2>Things to See &amp; Do</h2>
<p><strong>Grand Place</strong>&nbsp;- one of the most impressive city squares in all of Europe, is a great starting point and one you will no doubt return to sample the daily flower markets and take in the majesty of the surrounding 17th&nbsp;century buildings.</p>
<p>From here, the city&rsquo;s major attractions are within easy walking distance, with plenty of stops along the way to sample the culinary delights which have made Belgium famous throughout the world &ndash; beer, chocolate, waffles and mussels (in whichever order takes your preference).</p>
<p><strong>The Town Hall</strong>&nbsp;(Hotel de Ville) in the Grand Place is interesting to visit (note that tours in English are only on Sunday).</p>
<p><strong>The Horta Museum</strong>&nbsp;(Musee Horta) - the house of Victor Horta, one of the founders of Art Nouveau. The building is small and only accepts limited numbers each day, so best to get there when it opens, at 2pm.</p>
<p><strong>Belgian Centre of Comic Strip Art</strong>, on Zandstraat/rue des Sables, to discover the Belgian origins of Tintin (and The Smurfs!), amongst other cartoon legends.</p>
<p><strong>Musee Rene Magritte</strong>, on rue Esseghem is a must see for surrealist painting fans.</p>
<p><strong>St. Michael and St. Gudula Cathedral</strong>, at Place Sainte-Gudule,&nbsp;is the most impressive Cathedral in town and the site of Royal weddings.</p>
<p><strong>Notre Dame du Sablon</strong>, at Place du Grand Sablon, is a particularly beautiful church to visit in the city centre.</p>
<p>Other uniquely Brussels sites to see: <strong>The Parlamentarium</strong>, on rue Wiertz, is the visitor experience for the European Parliament, with lots of interactive media displays to keep you interested.</p>
<p><strong>The Atomium at Bruparck</strong>, Brussels' futuristic version of the Eiffel Tower, and Mini-Europe for fun models of major landmark buildings throughout Europe.</p>
<p><strong>Les Galeries Saint Hubert</strong>&nbsp;is a beautiful designed shopping arcade; the precursor to the modern shopping mall. The glass roof comes in handy on rainy days, for unhindered browsing of the many restaurants and chocolate shops inside.</p>
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<h5><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-64500" src="https://static.travelgay.com/media/67815/Grand-Place-at-night-Brussels.jpg" alt="" width="100%"><em>The Grand Place at night</em></h5>
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<h2>When to Visit</h2>
<p>Brussels gets more than its fair share of rain (on average around 200 days a year) and is generally damp, making winter visits feel particularly chilly. Summer temperatures can vary a lot and the rain can be frequent (welcome to Northern Europe!).</p>
<p>To experience Brussels at its gayest, come for Pride week in mid-May. For gay dance party fanatics, make sure to time your visit around one of the big <a href="https://www.travelgay.com/venue/la-demence-fuse-club/">La Demence parties</a>&nbsp;- weather won't be an issue in this case.</p>
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<h2>Visa</h2>
<p>Belgium is within the European Schengen visa area. If travelling from outside Europe, check to see if you require a Schengen visa.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Money</h2>
<p>Belgium is a member of the Eurozone.&nbsp;Cash dispensers are widely available.&nbsp;You may be asked for photo ID if paying with a credit or debit card in a shop.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Other Useful Info</h2>
<p>Brussels is officially a bilingual city, which is why you will find street signs in both French and Dutch (Flemish) although in practice French tends to dominate. English is widely spoken, too.</p>

Gay Brussels City Guide

Planning a trip to Brussels? Then our gay Brussels city guide page is for you

<p>Discover the vibrant heart of the LGBTQ+ scene in Brussels, centered around the bustling Rue du March&eacute; au Charbon&mdash;affectionately known by locals as Kolenmarkt. This lively street becomes the epicenter of fun on Saturday nights, where a kaleidoscope of gay bars, shops, and friendly faces merge into a festive crowd.</p>
<p>The energy here is contagious; laughter and lively conversations fill the air as visitors and locals alike mingle and celebrate into the night. Brussels offers not just a party but a welcoming community, making it a must-visit destination for LGBTQ+ travelers seeking both culture and camaraderie in a city that embraces diversity with open arms.</p>

Gay Neighborhood in Brussels

The ability for same-sex couples to legally adopt a child.

The difference between legal age of consent for homosexual sex and heterosexual sex.

Starting July 1 2023, MSM who would like to donate blood face a 4-month deferral period.

The ability for MSMs (men who have sex with men) to donate blood or tissue for organ transplants. A deferral period refers to a waiting time before a man can donate after having sex.

Blanket ban replaced by a 1 year deferral period. 

In Belgium, there are no laws restricting the discussion or promotion of LGBTQ+ topics.

Censorship or prohibition of discussing, promoting, or teaching LGBTQ+ topics in media, schools, and in the general public.

Surgery no longer necessary to change legal gender.

Legal recognition of sex reassignment by permitting a change of legal gender on an individual's birth certificate.

Transgender people in Belgium are required to undergo gender reassignment surgery in order to change their gender on state documents.

Parliament voted to ban conversion therapy

Legal status of conducting sexual orientation changing therapy ("ex-gay" therapy)

Not banned. A conversion therapy ban was announced in 2022, but no law is in effect as of now.

Prohibition of discrimination based on sexual orientation and/or gender identity.

Prohibition of discrimination based on sexual orientation and/or gender identity in employment, including hiring, promotion, termination, harassment, etc.

Belgium was liberated in September of 1944. Belgian civil law reverted back to pre-war laws.

Consensual sexual activity between individuals of the same sex.

Belgium was under German occupation during World War II and thus Paragraph 175 was in effect.

Legalized under French rule and the Napoleonic Code.

Prohibition of discrimination based on sexual orientation and/or gender identity when applying for housing or discrimination by landlords / property owners.

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.

Marriage and marriage recognition between two people of the same biological sex and/or gender identity.

Statutory Cohabitation grants specific rights to cohabiting persons. Although not specifically intended for LGBT couples it was open for same sex couples.

Unsure of date. Gay and lesbian soldiers are not guaranteed promotions through the military for fear of possible blackmail.

The ability for homosexuals to serve in the military and be open about their sexuality.

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.

Legal recognition of non-binary, genderqueer, or third gender identities.

Belgium

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The best gay bars, dance clubs, gay-rated hotels, gay saunas, cruise clubs and more in Brussels. Check reviews, photos, and more on TravelGay.com.

Gay Brussels Guide 2024 — gay bars, clubs, saunas & more

Brussels is a bilingual city at the crossroads of Europe, with plenty to see and a surprisingly big gay scene

Drag Show Performance

Chez Maman Brussels main

Chez Maman

Live DJ - from 9pm

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Le Baroque

<p>BorisBoy is a gay adult shop that has been in the business for over a decade in the heart of Brussels.</p>
<p>The store sells a range of leather, rubber, underwear, toys, lube, and much more so is perfect to visit when out in the city.</p>
<p>BorisBoy also has an extensive online store that offers worldwide shipping, check out their official website for the full product range and details.</p>

BorisBoy

BorisBoy is a gay adult shop that has been in the business for over a decade in the heart of Brussels.

<div class="x_1752887668elementToProof">Premium sensual relaxation massage service for men in Brussels, Belgium by Philip. His massage service is offered at a discreet, modern studio in the&nbsp;BXNord area (Northern Quarter/Tour &amp; Taxis) (5min walk from Metro: Yser or 10min walk from Brussels-North railway station)&nbsp;or as an outcall (residential/hotel) within Brussels Capital Region.
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<div>Philip&rsquo;s sensual relaxation massage utilizes a unique technique developed and success-proven over years of giving massages. His massage skills are complemented by carefully chosen music, colored light, scents and heated massage oil. A choice of 60-minute, 90-minute or 120-minute massage.</div>
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<div>Check his website for further details. Call or SMS for an appointment.</div>
</div>

Philip- Nordic Massage Brussels

Premium sensual relaxation massage service for men in Brussels by Philip.

<p>Brussels' premier gay cruise &amp; fetish club&nbsp;(since 2013). Stammbar has an industrial style with dark room and cruising areas. Popular with bears and their admirers.<br><br>Open 7 nights a week, with an additional daytime session from 3pm on Sundays.</p>

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Stammbar

Brussels' premier gay cruise club.

<p>Le Belgica has become a&nbsp;Brussels gay institution, with excellent music by a live DJ, cute guys behind the bar and cheap drinks.<br><br>A great hangout for post-dinner or pre-clubbing. You'll find most people socialising outside, although the glitter balls inside make for the perfect dance floor.</p>

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Le Belgica

The busiest bar in Brussels.  Great for pre-clubbing. 

<p>Amalgame Karaoke Bar is the best karaoke bar in town, known for its respectful staff and vibrant atmosphere. The bar has a great DJ and regularly hosts exciting events.</p>
<p>The bar is run by J&eacute;r&ocirc;me &amp; Marco and is located just a few minutes' walk from the Grand-Place.</p>

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Amalgame

<p>Amalgame Karaoke Bar is the best karaoke bar in...

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