Pink council debate in Leidschendam-Voorburg

Even if the subsidy for the Rainbow Cities project disappears, the activities that focus on gay men will still be lesbian women. bisexuals, transgenders and people with an intersex condition (LGBTI). This became apparent during the Pink Council debate on 26 February.

'We will continue the policy that we are currently pursuing when the PvdA returns to the board', says Matthijs Willemse-Jacbson, candidate for the PvdA. Frank Rozenberg, candidate for GBLV/Municipality Interests, reads out a list of intentions if the GBLV is also represented in the council for the next four years. One of the spearheads is 'maintaining the LGBTI budget at the current level'. Floor Kist of GroenLinks and alderman of Leidschendam-Voorburg: 'We are already adding money and we will continue to do so.'

LGBTI policy
There is not much to fight for at the Pink Council debate that will take place on February 26 in the Wijkcentrum Oranjehoek van Woej in Voorburg. COC Haaglanden and DWH are organizing the Pink Council Debates in the nine Haaglanden municipalities in the run-up to the municipal elections on 21 March 2018. In these debates, politicians enter into a discussion with each other and with residents about themes that affect gay men and lesbian women. bisexuals, transgenders and people with an intersex condition (LGBTI) are important. In addition to Willemse-Jacobson, Rozenberg and Kist, candidates Sabrina van den Heuvel on behalf of the VVD, Jacco van Maldegem of D66 and Jan-Willem Rouwendal, councilor and leader of the ChristenUnie-SGP, take part in the panel. They will probably not endanger the continuation of the LGBTI budget either. The VVD also wants to continue the policy, and is willing to pay for it. D66 certainly has the intention, 'but we will talk about the money after the elections', says Van Maldegem. Rouwendal also keeps a low profile when it comes to financing: 'Governing is about making choices, we don't anticipate that.'

Everyone visible
Leidschendam-Voorburg has had a good LGBTI policy in many areas for a long time, it became apparent during the conversation. Like-minded people can meet at Woej, for example, there is cooperation with the John Blankenstein Foundation to make sports more attractive for LGBTI people, the municipality supports initiatives such as Purple Friday and Coming Out Day, and when 'pink' older people want to live near each other. , for example in a courtyard, then there is certainly room for it. There is only a difference of opinion about the extent to which 'inclusive policy' and 'target group policy' can go hand in hand. 'The municipal organization is rather compartmentalised', says Van den Heuvel. 'If one official has a specific task for LGBTI policy, it will not reach all policy areas. I think all civil servants should have it in their heads.' Willemse-Jacobson: 'If someone is explicitly responsible, he sees to it that it happens. If there are barriers, they must be removed.' In the last round of questions, the candidates emphasize that Leidschendam-Voorburg is and should remain a municipality for everyone. Van Maldegem: 'And that means that everyone can be visible.'