I got harassed for being trans in Ghent, of all places
Visiting Belgium from the US as I’m considering moving here after receiving a job offer.
I’ve been here for roughly a week and a half (mostly Brussels and Wallonia, including the poorer and more rural areas) and have had no issues. Like at all, not even a weird look or interaction past some drunks by the bars in Brussels making a comment as I walked by one night. I was starting to think this was one of the few places I could just exist and have my default be assuming I’m fine and not notable, which isn’t very common in most of the US. I transitioned years ago, and while certain characteristics mean I’m unfortunately visibly a trans woman no one has been weird about it.
As I sat outside a casual food restaurant in the tourist area finishing my meal with my partner mid day this 20-something couple of white, blonde haired, Dutch looking people in punk clothing came in and sat down. They talked for a long time in Dutch and as the place quieted down it ended up just being us a few tables away and them.
The man seemed to start ranting in Dutch and suddenly I realized he switched to English. I heard him say something like “clean your shit up man” and looked up to see him getting louder and looking directly at me to say “I hope you die of aids, queer”. The woman he was with mockingly started saying “yaaas queen yaaaaas”.
I pretended to not understand them and looked back down. We left shortly after but I’m a bit stunned. I don’t really experience direct and targeted stuff like that even in the US, and for it to happen on the tail end of a good trip in GHENT of all places shocked me. I guess I hoped for better, but everywhere has bad people I suppose?
EDIT: Thanks to the person who reported me to reddit cares lol