Sing Out Brussels! took to the stage alongside other LGBTQI+ performers as part of a reception held at Brussels City Hall to mark the occasion.
Like Sing Out Brussels!, Rainbow Cops Belgium LGBTQI+ Police is a member association of RainbowHouse. The group recently celebrated its 10th anniversary with a reception at Brussels City Hall, an event honoured by the presence of Sarah Schlitz, Federal Secretary of State for Equality of Opportunities and Gender.
The Rainbow Cops’ mission is to:
- INFORM and share information and experiences regarding LGBTQI+ issues within the integrated police force with the goal of promoting mutual respect.
- TRAIN all police officers to help them identify discrimination and hate crimes based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
- REFER victims of homophobic or transphobic acts to the relevant bodies inside and outside the police, with a view to ensuring a police report is filed.
- RAISE AWARENESS about LGBTQI+ issues within the police and beyond based on experience gained at the Belgian and European levels.
A smaller group of choir members sang at this event, with our members invited to take part on a purely voluntary basis. Some choir members perceive the police as a sexist, racist and/or LGBTQI+-phobic institution and as a force of oppression. Some have experienced violence perpetrated by the police, or have concerns about the pink-washing of police actions. At the same time, others raised their voices in support of singing for an organisation that plays a role in changing practices within the Police.
Head to the Rainbow Cops Facebook page for more photos from this event.