FAQ

What is transition in transgenders life?

Period during which psycho-social and bodily transformations are most marked, in a person who has undertaken the change of their social role (for example, to live "as a woman") and/or modify their physical appearance (for example by waxing, taking hormones, or genital surgery).

For transgender people, most of a transition consists of working on oneself to free oneself from any social role arbitrarily assigned according to their genitalia and which stifles individual freedoms."

The transition occurs at three levels: social, medical, and legal. You can choose to take care of only one level, or two, or all three, or none. Everyone experiences their transition as they wish. The journeys of trans* people are all different, and transition is not an obligation.

How is the transgenders law in Belgium?

In Belgium, transgender people can adapt their identity card in terms of first name(s) and "gender registration" since January 2018, by a simple declaration to their municipality of residence.

Is Belgium a destination for international protection seekers?

Nowadays, asylum claims in Belgium on the grounds of LGBTQIA+-phobic persecution represent at least 1000 requests each year, or at least 5% of files. This figure has been continuously increasing since 2011. The majority of requests concern gay men from French-speaking countries on the African continent. Still, there are requests from many other countries. Practically no country is really "safe," and the demands of transgender citizens and lesbian or bisexual women are also increasing. Unlike other people seeking asylum, such as people fleeing war, LGBTQIA+ people are not always sure that the threats and violence from which they fled are not perpetuated in the host country.

Where is the safe place for queers?

A space, environment, or place where there is no discrimination. The safe space must allow people to feel safe and respected. The term was born in shelters for women victims of violence. It is particularly applicable to people from the so-called "sexual and gender minorities.A safe place contributes not only to their safety and physical integrity but also to their well-being.

What is the preferred pronoun?

The pronoun chosen by a person and which agrees with their gender identity. It is recommended to ask anyone you meet which pronoun they prefer to designate them in the third person ("he" or "she" or, as far as possible, in a neutral way like "they"), since it could be different from their assigned gender/sex or from the perception of their gender expression.

What is the difference between coming out and outing?

Coming out means revealing very personal and intimate information to someone, such as their sexual orientation or gender identity. We say "reveal," rather than "confess" the homosexuality (for example). Confessing has a negative connotation and gives the impression that being an LGBTQIA+ person is shameful, which is not the case.Outing is to reveal the sexual orientation, gender identity, or sexual characteristics of an LGBTQIA+ person without their explicit consent. Outing can expose these people to very embarrassing or even quite dangerous situations. Likewise, it is entirely inadequate to compel someone to come out. That is to say, encourage or even force someone to disclose their belonging to the LGBTQI + community when they do not wish to or do not don't feel ready for it. 50% of Belgians or citizens residing in Belgium do not come out (i.e., announce their homosexuality, bisexuality, transidentity or intersexuality) at their workplace.

What are MSM and WSW?

MSM are men who have sex with men and WSW are women who have sex with women without considering sexual orientation.

What are Cis and Trans?

Cisgender or sis is someone whose gender matches the sex they were assigned at birth. Being cisgender is the opposite of being transgender. Trans is an abbreviation for “transgender person.” The term trans* is an umbrella term that includes anyone whose gender does not match the sex assigned to them at birth. This term may or may not include non-binary people, depending on their own self-identification.

What is the difference between sexual orientation and sexual preference?

It is the sexual attraction or the absence of sexual attraction towards another person (man, woman, or a person of another gender). You can be heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual, asexual, etc.Sexual preference indicates a greater liking for particular characteristics over others in relation to an individual’s romantic, emotional and/or physical feelings for, or attraction, to other people. For instance, this can be for tall, short, dark-haired, brown-eyed or other traits of a partner.

What is LGBTQIA+?

Acronym for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex. The "+" refers to all identities, orientations, expressions not represented in the acronym. In short, to all other realities. Being LGBTQIA+ is never a choice, it is a natural condition and impossible to change, just like being heterosexual or cisgender. LGBTQIA+ people are distributed evenly across the world and over time, but not all citizens have the same opportunity to experience it or express it. It is considered that between 5% and 15% of human beings can be defined or self-defined as LGBTQIA+. LGBTQIA+ people come together under this acronym because they are victims of somewhat similar systems of oppression and invisibility, but all these letters also represent different realities of life. The acronym may vary depending on regions of the world or the organizations that use it.

What is the difference between sex and gender?

Set of biological characteristics (genetic, epigenetic, endocrine, skeletal, ...) used to divide certain mammals, including human beings, into two strict categories: "male" and "female," thereby regularly denying the existence of intersex people.Sex and gender are different concepts that are often used interchangeably. The UK government refers to sex as being biologically defined, and gender as a social construct that is an internal sense of self, whether an individual sees themselves as a man or a woman, or another gender identity. Gender is the socially constructed roles, behaviours, activities and attributes that a given society considers appropriate for individuals based on the sex they were assigned at birth.

Who are minorities? and sexual minorities?

Minority is a group of people whose number is lower than that of another group. In the sociological sense, minorities can also designate the parts of the population that do not have power. Women then fall into the definition of the minority.A sexual minority is a group whose sexual identity, orientation or practices differ from the majority of the surrounding society. Primarily used to refer to lesbian, gay, bisexual, or non-heterosexual individuals, it can also refer to transgender, non-binary or intersex individuals.

What is the difference between refugees and asylum seekers?

Asylum seeker or international protection seeker (IPSs) is an individual who is seeking international protection in a safe country far from danger and persecution. Since 1951, the Geneva Convention governs international asylum requests and refugee status. Asylum-seeker is someone whose claim has not yet been finally decided on by the country in which the claim is submitted. Refugee is someone who officially received international protection. Not all international protection seekers eventually become refugees, but all refugees were once international protection seekers

What is the forced migration?

Migration is the movement of persons away from their place of usual residence, either across an international border or within a State. A migratory movement which, although the drivers can be diverse, involves force, compulsion, or coercion. Forced migration refers to the movements that refugees, migrants, and IDPs make. These can be either within their country or between countries after being displaced from their homeland.

Who is a migrant?

Migrant is an umbrella term, not defined under international law, reflecting the common lay understanding of a person who moves away from their place of usual residence, whether within a country or across an international border, temporarily or permanently, and for a variety of reasons. The term includes a number of well-defined legal categories of people, such as migrant workers; persons whose particular types of movements are legally defined, such as smuggled migrants; as well as those whose status or means of movement are not specifically defined under international law, such as international students.

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