The appointment of a trans woman as Deputy Prime Minister in the new Belgium government is precisely the positive connotation that the world currently needs
Politics generally happens to be a messy affair – with or without stable governance. However, adding in the impending threat of widespread panic due to the pandemic and global economies crashing at unprecedented rates, politics has been reduced to baseless media gimmicks and fascist governance in major countries. While this might be the case in many nations, Belgium is progressing rapidly in terms of political laissez-faire with its freshly appointed government last week.
Appointed as Deputy Prime Minister as well as Minister for Public Enterprises and Public Administration, Petra De Sutter has paved the path for the LGBTQ+ community and has already incited necessary change with regards to what should be expected from a nation and its media. Representing Groen – Flemish green political party – in the new Alexander De Croo government sworn in by King Philippe, De Sutter is first and foremost a gynaecologist and the Head of Department of reproductive medicine at Ghent University, all whilst being an open advocate for women empowerment as well as LGBTQ+ and trans rights.
Currently occupying the highest position in any European government as an individual who identifies as trans, De Sutter has repeatedly stressed upon the notion that gender identity does not and should not define us as people; expression of gender should not be considered as an issue in any field – particularly the relatively rigid ones such as corporate, law or politics. With her extrusive position and wide-spanning audience reach, she hopes to invigorate a shift in international policymaking towards more inclusion of queer individuals. Whilst being a vocal activist against the marginalisation of LGBTQ+ communities and positively participating in the incapacitation of transphobia, Petra De Sutter has clearly expressed how she wishes not to be reduced simply to her gender. While her gender identity is an integral part of her, she would rather be defined by her qualifications and become an icon for her community by the path she is paving for her successors.
However, perhaps the most momentous aspect of this clear victory is that the nation is not just in support but does not even deem it a decision to be inspected or questioned. National media, while going through the entirety of the event with a fine-tooth comb, has not fixated on De Sutter’s gender more than a brief mention, and instead has been focusing on her accomplishments which are certainly significant and exactly what the newly appointed Minister and Deputy PM would want. While other European countries, UK and USA have highlighted the news in headlines, Belgium’s media outlets have not made a spectacle out of De Sutter’s trans identity – not only considering it a non-decisive factor for the appointment in the federal government but also highlighting the accomplishments more than the gender identity of Petra De Sutter.
As a whole, the newly appointed government is inclusive of 50% women, immigrants and as a whole, younger members who happen to be more up to date with current affairs from the perspective of the youth. Belgium is setting a precedent for every nation to realise that inclusivity in governance induces inclusivity in social standings and has a twofold effect of not only giving a voice to individuals of the respective communities but also normalising the individuality and identity of said individuals in general societal environments.
The appointment as Deputy PM establishes De Sutter as the only trans Minister in Belgium and Europe and additionally, the senior-most trans governmental employee pan-Europe as the previously held positions have only reached the seniority of Mayor in France and Italy. Liberalism has taken a win in Belgium as their constitutional amendments also state that individuals will not be discriminated against based on their gender identity. While other nations are yet to follow in the pace set by Belgium, it is indeed a victory to be celebrated, not just for the trans and LGBTQ+ community as a whole but also every individual hoping for a liberal state.
Written by- Ashita Udeshi
Literary Sources:
CNN Europe
POLITICO
The Brussels Times
Twitter
