Behind the Rainbow: Challenges and Careers of LGBTQIA+ Representatives in Belgium

This research examines how sexual orientation and gender identity shape the political careers of LGBTQIA+ representatives. Existing scholarship on political representation has long demonstrated that “traditional” candidates aligning with dominant norms of gender, class, and sexuality remain systematically advantaged throughout the electoral process (Norris & Lovenduski, 1995). Conversely, candidates from marginalized groups such as LGBTQIA+ individuals continue to encounter structural barriers to entry and are victims of discriminations that extend across their political trajectories (Prearo & Trastulli, 2024). The literature highlights multiple forms of disadvantage ranging from limited access to electoral resources compared with heterosexual and cisgender representatives, to discriminatory attitudes during campaigns, and difficulties sustaining political careers after election (Magni & Reynolds, 2018; Van Oosten, 2024; Grahn, 2025). Yet, descriptive representation of LGBTQIA+ individuals has been shown to play a crucial role in politicizing and bringing greater salience to LGBTQIA+ issues (Reynolds, 2013). Therefore, our study explores the gap in research concerning the persistence and career development of LGBTQIA+ representatives (Prearo & Trastulli, 2024). We seek to understand how these politicians perceive the influence of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity on their political trajectories. Belgium provides a relevant case for this inquiry. While Belgium has been an early pioneer in LGBTQIA+ rights such as on same-sex marriage or by enacting progressive trans* rights reforms (Meier, 2009; Paternotte, 2011; Meier & Motmans, 2020) and by a global gain in salience of LGBTQIA+ issues in the poltical party manifestos (Biesemans, 2025) it remains marked by deep ideological and party divisions, and by the recent resurgence of anti-gender mobilizations and violence targeting LGBTQIA+ persons (Verlooy, 2025). Methodologically, our research adopts an inductive and qualitative approach based on semi-structured interviews with LGBTQIA+ representatives and politicians active at the federal and regional level from 2003 to 2025. More specifically, our aim is to capture how LGBTQIA+ representatives interpret social and institutional change, how they experience its direct effects on their careers, and whether patterns emerge across generations or political affiliations.