Jean-Jacques Flahaut, Belgian member of parliament will marry his male partner next Saturday. The happy couple, who met in 2006, was congratulated by several government members, including the (Christian/Catholic) Belgian prime minister. Flahaut is the fist gay Belgian MP to marry after Belgium legalized same-sex marriages back in 2003.
You know, whenever I read these happy tidings I need to take a break, not sure how I really feel or whether I need to reevaluate my ideas about gay marriage. Like you may or may not know, I’ve been in a relationship with my male partner for quite some time. The past few years I’ve become increasingly uncomfortable attending weddings of straight friends, with one recent gay marriage in Antwerp making me want to leave early.
Facing up to my true feeling I realize I’m just like most of you: I’d enjoy that same kind of social acceptance that seems to be reserved to those who take the plunge, realizing that at times it’s all much more than a signed piece of paper and a big party. It can actually become a social entry ticket that reads “you’re one of us”.
This blog is not affiliated with or endorsed by the city of Antwerp, Belgium.