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From: The Hague Central – April 1, 2021 https://www.denhaagcentraal.net/

There is still a lot to do to give everyone the right to belong lovingly together, realize Sander van der Eijk en Ton from Zeeland of the International Gay Monument Foundation The Hague.

"She understands the art of belonging to me." Frans Halsema once wrote an ear pleasing song about how everyday and at the same time wonderful love can turn out between two people. When marriages between partners of the same sex were concluded in the Netherlands for the first time twenty years ago, this not only resulted in legal equality. It was precisely the symbolism of that ritual that attracted worldwide attention. The art of belonging together touches on something that is actually very easy to understand for every person deep inside.

Unfortunately, this has not yet led to respect, acceptance and emancipation everywhere. In many countries homosexuality is not socially accepted, or is even punishable. Religious leaders all over the world always beat the same drum whenever acceptance of homosexuality is mentioned, often using religion or national character as a weapon. Some politicians are only too happy to do this. Also within the EU.

Unfortunately, in the Netherlands too, we are repeatedly treated from religious circles to views that reject the practice of the art of belonging together with someone of the same sex as sinful and pernicious. In The Hague in particular, this always hurts the heart. Because this is the place where the international right to be who you are takes shape in the International Gay Monument, near Central Station.

In the Netherlands there are protestant and liberal religious denominations that, to a greater or lesser extent, allow (in) blessing of same-sex partners and marriages. Also within the Roman Catholic Church there are priests who muster the courage to bring about change from below on this point.

Transgender Pride Flag
In The Hague, the memorandum 'Queer in The Hague' was accepted by the city council at the beginning of this year. The municipality has thus once again embraced the safety, visibility and acceptance of LGBTIQ+. This week the Transgender Pride flag proudly flies at the Hofvijver. The International Gay Monument contributes to the visibility of LGBTIQ+, but at the same time invites all citizens to always reflect on this message. It is therefore good that alderman Van Alphen (GroenLinks, emancipation) and various parties in the municipal council have repeatedly shown their commitment to this.

Time and again young people will discover their sexuality and seek recognition for it. They rightly ask for acceptance and inclusivity, rather than rejection and thundering. The right to marry someone of the same sex is, in the words of Rev. Sybrand van Dijk in the broadcast of 'Jacobine op 2', 'a vulnerable right'. It is precisely because of this vulnerability that this right deserves to be cherished.

How nice would it be if religious leaders took the lead in this nurturing? So that religion, as a positive force of change and connection, precedes us and gives us words for the wonder that the art of belonging together entails. Wouldn't our polarized and fragmented society simply recover from this?

There is still much to do. The International Gay Monument reminds us of that, just on the day that we celebrate twenty years of the right to belong together. Let's cherish that.

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A vulnerable right, to be cherished for that reason.

From: The Hague Central – April 1, 2021 https://www.denhaagcentraal.net/

A lot remains to be done to provide everyone with the right to be together romantically. Sander van der Eijk and Ton van Zeeland from the International Gay Monument in the Hague foundation make sure that the monument continues to represent and serve the ever-changing contemporary LGBTQ+ community.

“She understands the art of belonging with me.” Frans Halsema once wrote in his captivating song about how simultaneously mundane and at the same time miraculous the love between two people can materialize. Precisely twenty years ago, the right to marry was extended to same-sex partners for the first time, and it didn't just represent legal equality. It was the symbolism of the ritual that drew attention from the world press. The art of belonging together touches something fundamentally familiar to everyone.

Unfortunately, this hasn't resulted in universal respect, acceptance and emancipation. In many countries, homosexuality remains socially unacceptable or even criminalized. Religious leaders across the world continue to beat the same drum against acceptance, every time the topic comes up, weaponizing religion or nationalism against it. Some politicians, even within the EU, have no qualms about associating themselves with these figures or movements.

The Netherlands too is subject to religious circles sharing viewpoints that paint practicing the art of belonging together as sinful and despicable. The pain is felt even deeper here in the Hague, where the global right to be who you are is embodied by the international gay monument, in front of the central station.

Within Protestant and liberal church denominations, the blessing, in more or lesser terms, of relationships and marriages between the same sex is becoming more commonplace. Even within the Roman-Catholic church, some priests are gaining the courage to enact change from the bottom up.

Transgender Pride Flag
The Hague adopted the 'Queer in the Hague' program earlier this year. With it, the municipality has reaffirmed its commitment to the safety, visibility and acceptance of LGBTQ+ people in the Hague. The same week, the Transgender Pride flag flew prominently on the Hofvijver as well. The International Monument contributes to the visibility of LGBTQ+ people, but also invites everyone to continue to reflect on this message. It's therefore a good thing that alderman van Alphen (Groenlinks, emancipation) and various parties in the council have repeatedly pledged their support.

Again and again, kids will discover their gender and sexuality and seek recognition of their identity. They ask, rightly so, for acceptance and inclusion, instead of rejection and hate speech. drs. Sybrand van Dijk in 'Jacobine op 2' describes the right to marry someone of the same sex as 'a vulnerable right.'

How wonderful would it be if religious leaders took the lead to enact this change? Religion can be a positive force of change and connection and can give us words for the wonder that is the art of belonging together. Wouldn't that make a beautiful change in our polarized and fragmented society?

A lot remains to be done. The gay monument reminds us of that. Especially when we're celebrating 20 years of belonging. Let us cherish that.

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