© Domingos Oliveira
Rainbow flags, music and laughter filled Place de la Constitution on Saturday as Luxembourg hosted its first Family Pride Day, celebrating same-sex parents and their families.
The first edition of Family Pride Day brought colour and music to Place de la Constitution on Saturday, as the event under the Gëlle Fra created a colourful, inclusive, and friendly atmosphere designed especially for families with same-sex parents and their circle, explains organiser Ophélie Charaux from Cigale.
"We wanted to create a space where every family, no matter what it looks like, feels comfortable and sees that they are not alone. Families with same-sex parents rarely meet in everyday life," she said.
There was much to discover: from workshops and games for children to well-being activities and discussion rounds about the realities of being an LGBTQI+ parent.
"We had our children before the law allowing adoption came into effect," said Zivana Krusic, who has been a mother for 14 years. "The first four years were difficult because legally only one of the two parents was recognised as the mother. Even today, it's still not that simple. It takes several months and it's an uncomfortable process. And for the children too, you constantly have to explain things to them over and over again."
According to The National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (STATEC), more than 3,300 people in Luxembourg live in a same-sex relationship. Since 2015, marriage and joint adoption have been possible for couples, and this year adoption rights were further liberalised.
In everyday life, however, challenges remain: administrative hurdles, prejudice or simply the feeling of not always being seen or understood. These issues were also discussed on Saturday.
"The system for establishing parenthood, for example," said Charaux. "Today, you still have to go through adoption. In countries like France, there is a system that allows both parents to be recognised even before the birth of their children. That's just one example among many. There is also still a lack of information in schools, for instance around Father's and Mother's Day. Many children with same-sex parents don't necessarily feel included."
From now on, Family Pride Day aims to offer an annual platform to meet, celebrate and show that family is family, no matter the form.
