Alain and Quentin

In the heart of Brussels, Alain and Quentin walk side by side — not hidden, not quiet, not ashamed.

Both of Congolese origin, they’ve been together for several years. What sets them apart isn’t just their commitment, but the radical freedom with which they choose to love. In a world that often expects Black queer couples to shrink or disappear, Alain and Quentin have chosen visibility.

They are proud of the image they reflect — two men, deeply in love, fully themselves. Independent, confident, and present. Their relationship isn’t defined by fear or concealment, but by openness. They don’t hide who they are on the streets, in the metro, at family gatherings, or online. They exist fully — in love and in public.

This visibility is not without cost. Discrimination still lurks in daily life — in looks, in assumptions, in the occasional sting of a word. But the strength of their bond allows them to face it head on. Together, they transform judgment into resilience. Love becomes their armor, their protest, their truth.

“We’ve created something solid,” says Quentin. “And that’s what gives us the strength to be seen.”

They are supported by their families and closest friends — a rare and beautiful form of affirmation that adds even more light to their story. And in being so fully themselves, Alain and Quentin have quietly become a beacon. For others who are still hiding. For those still dreaming of freedom.

Their love, just as it is, is enough. It’s powerful. And above all, it’s allowed.

Brussels, 2022