{ "title": "A new study by the VUB sheds light on the mobility experiences of the queer community in Brussels", "modified_at": "2026-09-17 07:00:03", "published_at": "2026-09-17 07:00:00", "url": "https://press.vub.ac.be/a-new-study-by-the-vub-sheds-light-on-the-mobility-experiences-of-the-queer-community-in-brussels", "short_url": "http://prez.ly/yCOd", "culture": "en", "language": "EN", "slug": "a-new-study-by-the-vub-sheds-light-on-the-mobility-experiences-of-the-queer-community-in-brussels", "body": "

BRUSSELS – The Mobilise research group at the Free University of Brussels (VUB) has recently completed a qualitative study on the daily journeys within the city and transport choices of the queer community. Led by Charlotte van Vessem and Juliana Betancur Arenas, in collaboration with the Brussels Centre for Urban Studies, RainbowHouse Brussels and Les Grand Carmes, this study offers an insight into the impact of identity on travel behaviour within the capital.

Whilst existing studies on gender-related mobility focus primarily on traditional gender relations and heteronormative family structures, this work fills a crucial gap in the academic literature on gender and everyday mobility. Furthermore, it complements the existing (limited) literature on queer experiences in public space – which tends to focus on negative experiences – by explicitly documenting positive, neutral and negative experiences.

Carefully considered coping mechanisms influence the way in which residents move through the urban landscape. A striking finding is the difference in choice of transport mode between queer people who identify as men and those who identify as women:

The findings highlight the need for better urban infrastructure, particularly reliable and safe night-time transport and the continued provision of bike-sharing schemes. Furthermore, the researchers call for greater awareness and increased political attention to how public space is shared, particularly through targeted campaigns run by transport companies such as STIB.

 

Further information: Queer Mobilities and Spatial Practices in Brussels | Brussels Centre for Urban Studies

Reference:

Charlotte van Vessem, Juliana Betancur Arenas, Sara Tori, Imre Keseru, ‘It’s not the place, it’s the crowd’: an exploratory study on queer mobilities and spatial practices in Brussels, Belgium. Journal of Urban Mobility, 10, 2026, 100261, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.urbmob.2026.100261.

Contact:

charlotte.van.vessem@vub.be (mobile number available on request)

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\n Koen Stein\n Perscontact wetenschap & onderzoek\n \n
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