The Maison Arc-en-Ciel is Charleroi's LGBTQIA+ centre, on Rue Prunieau in the Ville-Basse. It came out of a partnership between two associations, Tels Quels and the youth federation now called Pixiels, and it works as both a walk-in point and a base for the city's queer organisations.
Anyone concerned, directly or indirectly, by sexual orientation or gender identity can come, and there is no age limit. The centre gives general information, individual psychosocial support for people having a hard time with their orientation or identity, and legal advice through a family planning partner. Sexual health services and HIV and STI testing run with Ex Aequo and other partners. Other groups hold their own sessions in the building, among them Genres Pluriels, the trans collective Transfem Support Belgium, and Queeralide for people between 12 and 30.
Alongside the support work there is a programme of social and cultural activities: film screenings, walks, exhibitions and talks. The centre also runs training and awareness sessions for schools and for people working in health, social work and youth services.
The MAC organises Les Fiertés Carolos, Charleroi's Pride, which takes place on the Quai Arthur Rimbaud.
The people in this picture are AI-generated.
