Season 3, Episode 2
- Saquib Ahmad
- Jul 31
- 2 min read
David Vermeulen, Bruges Pride & Queer Belgium
🎙️ QUEER TALK PODCAST – SEASON 3, EPISODE 2 Bruges Pride from Burning homosexuals in the Middle Ages to first Pride in 2026,
In this episode of Season 3, we sit down with David Vermeulen, one of the founders of Bruges Pride, to explore what it means to reclaim history, challenge performative allyship, and build a Pride that truly belongs to its community.
Today, Bruges is home to a vibrant Pride celebration, but few people know the city's darker past. During the Middle Ages, gay men were burned alive in the very squares where thousands now gather to celebrate LGBTQ+ lives. To witness those same streets filled with rainbow flags, music and joy is more than progress—it is an act of reclaiming space, memory and identity.
But creating Pride is about more than organising a parade. As Pride celebrations grow around the world, so too does the risk of pink washing, where corporations embrace the rainbow flag for visibility while doing little to meaningfully support LGBTQ+ people throughout the rest of the year. David shares why Bruges Pride has been intentional about choosing its partners, working with local businesses and organisations whose commitment to inclusion extends far beyond a single weekend in June.
Real allyship is not measured by the size of a sponsorship or the prominence of a logo. It is reflected in workplace culture, inclusive policies, community investment and a willingness to stand with LGBTQ+ people even when the cameras are gone.
This conversation is also a celebration of the people who make Pride possible. From organisers and volunteers to performers, artists and community leaders, Bruges Pride reminds us that meaningful change has always been built by ordinary people coming together with extraordinary purpose.
What does it mean to transform a city once marked by persecution into one that celebrates queer lives? And how do we ensure Pride remains rooted in community rather than commerce?
Listen now and join us for a powerful conversation about history, visibility, community, allyship and the future of Pride.
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