The Stone

The first edition of Antwerp Pride took place in June 2008. “It coincided with NaviGAYtion, a gay party on boats at Het Steen. In the first year of Antwerp Pride, I was the spokesperson; the year after, we set up a non-profit organization and I became president,” says Abeel. “I carried out that role with love until 2022, and even today I am still involved on the side. Geert Van Praet has taken over the presidency.”

The festival area was initially at the Grote Markt. “When that became too small, it moved to the Steenplein and later to the Gedempte Zuiderdokken. Today we end the parade at Cockerillkaai.”

“I am proud of the evolution we have gone through. Today, Pride is embraced by the whole city. From politics to the academic world, cultural life, civil society, and the business community, especially the residents. We dared not dream of that in 2008. At that time, Belgium was still somewhat behind countries like the Netherlands. Just five years earlier, same-sex marriage had been approved.”

Hanna Van Thienen