Luxembourg City, a zone of freedom for LGBTIQ+ people
Luxembourg City is an open, tolerant and diverse destination that welcomes all visitors no matter their background, gender identity or sexual orientation. As a part of the LGBTIQ+ community you can feel safe while visiting and freely show signs of affection like kissing and holding hands in public.
Historical facts
Rumor has it that even Guillaume II, King and Grand Duke William II of Nassau-Orange from 1840 to 1849 and the hero on the equestrian statue at Place Guillaume II, could at least be considered bi-sexual back in the 19th century as he had lovers besides his wife. However, official laws for equal rights and opportunities were established a lot later. In 2004, the introduction of the Pacte civil de solidarité (PACS), a law aimed at both heterosexual and homosexual couples was passed in Luxembourg meaning that for the first time, same sex unions received legal recognition, as well as civil, fiscal and social security similar to a married couple. In 2014, Parliament, passed the reform of marriage and adoption that came into force on 1 January 2015 allowing same sex couples to marry and adopt children with an overwhelming majority. To achieve these important steps active supporters of the LGBTIQ+ community together with the association Rosa Lëtzebuerg had many discussions with the political parties as well as a successful petition “... och fir eis!” / "... also for us! ".
The city’s engagement
In response to the discrimination suffered by the LGBTIQ+ community in certain regions of Eastern Europe, against a broader backdrop of inequality and assaults on these people, and in the wake of the resolution of the European Parliament on 11 March 2021, declaring the EU an LGBTIQ+ freedom zone, the municipal council, in its resolution of 18 June 2021:
- declared Luxembourg City an "LGBTIQ+ Freedom Zone";
- committed to implementing public policy geared towards promoting and defending the rights of LGBTIQ+ people, and condemned the mechanisms of structural discrimination;
- decided to adorn the City Hall in the colours of the rainbow flag during Pride Month.
In addition to the above-mentioned decisions, the City of Luxembourg has undertaken the following initiatives to promote LGBTIQ+ issues:
- Awarding the Anne Beffort Prize to the Centre LGBTIQ+ CIGALE in 2021 for its tireless engagement and actions to promote equal treatment for the LGBTIQ+ community.
- Providing the CID | Fraen an Gender library with educational materials on the subject of intersexuality, in collaboration with the association ITGL (Intersex & Transgender Lëtzebuerg).
- Designing a carry-case for the CID Fraen an Gender's book collection entitled, "Alles Familie!!" – which explores the topic of family diversity – and making it available to schools.
- Participation in the "Rainbow Cities Network"
- Active participation in the LGBTIQ+ working group run by the business network, IMS – Inspiring more sustainability, which seeks to raise awareness of LGBTIQ+ issues and promote equality in businesses
- Holding the first edition of the Luxembourg Pride Run in 2023, a footrace with option to run either 5 km or 10 km. This event is a unique opportunity to come out and support the LGBTIQ+ community by participating in a festive, inclusive race.
Associations
If you have questions or need any more tips about things to do in Luxembourg City that are connected to LGBTIQ+ life, the following clubs and associations are good to know.
Rosa Lëtzebuerg
Rosa Lëtzebuerg asbl is the national LGBTIQ-organization in the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg defending the interests and rights of the local LGBTIQ community since its founding in 1996. In addition to searching juridical equality and overthrowing discrimination, their responsibilities include various sociocultural projects, such as the "Luxembourg Pride", which are designed to create a safe environment for all community members and to eradicate prejudice.
Rainbow Center
The Rainbow Center is a project of Rosa Lëtzebuerg asbl with the aim of giving the LGBTIQ+ community in Luxembourg another safe space and equally contributing to queer visibility. The Rainbow Center serves as a centre for queer culture and will offer a range of activities such as exhibitions, roundtable discussions, concerts etc.
Centre LGBTIQ Cigale
The CIGALE LGBTIQ+ Centre is a professional centre under agreement with the Ministry for the Family, Integration and the Greater Region. Since 2002, they have been working by, for, in and with the LGBTIQ+ community. Within the framework of government policy on the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people, the work of the CIGALE LGBTIQ+ Centre is divided into four pillars:
(1) Support and accompanying, (2) training and information, (3) building and empowering and (4) thinking and sharing. Their services are open to everyone, regardless of ideological, philosophical or religious considerations.
ITGL
Intersex & Transgender Luxembourg is a non-profit association since 2009 whose aim is to improve the situation of intersex people or people with variations in sex characteristics and binary or abinary trans people whose sex assigned at birth does not correspond to their sex/gender self-perception.
Beardukes
This is the Luxembourgish bear community registered as a non-profit organisation. All started as a bunch of people who wanted to make the bear scene in Luxembourg being more visible, living, active, seen, sane. The Beardukes are closely connected to their counterparts in neighbor countries and meet occasionally for a drink, food and fun.
Events, night and queer life
The agenda is not always easy to find for visitors, but rest assured that there is a lot going on the Luxembourg City LGBTIQ+ community. Queer.lu is a news magazine aimed at informing about Luxembourg's LGBTIQ+ community. Make sure to also check out the following websites and social media channels for up-to-date information on events, after-works, exhibitions and parties!
Pride run:
While the Luxembourg Pride is usually held in Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg City organized its first Pride run in 2023, which enjoyed great popularity. The first bear pride in Luxembourg was organized in 2016 and ever since every year a new Bear has been crowned victorious.
AperyLux, les après-midi Chouchou and laboum :
Enjoy a unique party atmosphere that brings together the LGBTQIA+ community and allies for a Sunday afternoon of fun! Dates are announced on Facebook: View dates
Letz Boys:
LGBTIQ+ bar in the heart of Luxembourg City with many events and theme nights.
Letz Boys:
Themed LGBTQ+ Party at Rotondes (pop/commercial/latino).
WOOF Luxembourg:
Woof Luxembourg is the only men-only party in Luxembourg featuring international DJs and performers dedicated to bears & fetish. Woof hosts unique parties during holiday weekends and special events.
