title: A paradise for LGBT rights? The paradox of Belgium.
abstract: How is it that a small country such as Belgium, with its reputation of relative conservatism, has jumped to the forefront of LGBT-friendly nations when it comes to the extension of rights to, and implementation of government policies for, its LGBT population? The analysis offered here focuses on a combination of six causes: the impact of wider secularization processes; the political history and culture of the country; the organization of especially the Flemish LGBT movement and reasons for its political effectiveness; mainstream social trends in national scapegoating hierarchies; the overall media environment; and the window of opportunity opened by the political landslide of 1999.
authors: Department of Literature, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium. bart.eeckhout@ua.ac.be
authors: Bart
authors: B
authors: Eeckhout
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Paternotte
mesh_terms: D001530:Belgium; D001727:Bisexuality; D003469:Culture; D005260:Female; D018452:Homosexuality, Female; D018451:Homosexuality, Male; D006806:Human Rights / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008402:Mass Media; D011057:Politics; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D014189:Transsexualism