Pink fireworks during the LGBT election debate in the COC building Basta on the Scheveningseveer. Can the LGBT community do more itself? Or is the municipality also there for LGBT people?

Gays shouldn't always just look at the church. They can also join forces and organize their own affairs. That is the opinion of the VVD candidate Arjen Lakerveld from The Hague. 'The LGBT community could be more active. The COC has few members if you look at the size of the LGBT constituency. That is the disinterest of people who are doing well themselves and don't care about the rest.' CDA candidate Teuni Scholthof protests: 'Gay people are also people with their own lives. Why should you care about LGBT topics just because you happen to be gay yourself? Not everyone is an activist.'

Activism
At the second election debate that COC Haaglanden and DWH Delft are organizing in the run-up to the municipal elections, 'activism' is clearly an issue. 'Emancipation is not finished', argues SP candidate Jerry Snelling. Fatima Faid of the Haagse Stadspartij: 'It is important that the LGBT community continues to profile itself. But heterosexuals should also adopt an activist stance on this theme.' Youssef Rahman (GroenLinks): 'The crux is information. The COC is taking that on well and you can see that the intolerance is decreasing as a result.' Kim Waanders (D66) thinks that activism alone is not enough. 'The Museumplein can be full, yet a heavy delegation is going to Sochi. We still have some work to do.' The question arises from the public how politicians manage to cut back on visibility. 'Events like the WATH festival make the LGBT community visible. That is and remains necessary.' But the municipality does not have to pay that, according to Arjen Lakerveld and Paul ter Linden (Ter Linden group). Education in schools is, and so is safety on the street. Kim Waanders: 'If it is up to D66, schools will only receive a Safety Certificate if they demonstrate that they have a sound LGBT policy.' She wants to organize a 'pink book week' in libraries. 'There are also princesses who fall in love with princesses. Kids need to know that.' Discussion leader Wouter Neerings calls for a month to refuse to fill in the male/female box when making online purchases, for example. 'Why does bol.com need to know I'm a man? Let's support the transgender people in this way. They are constantly running into this kind of pigeonholing.'

Picnic
After the debate, COC Haaglanden chairman Harry Derksen announced that it will finally happen: the gay monument will be moved. It will be located on the green strip near the Koningstunnel. 'Let's agree that we will celebrate that at the new location with a festive picnic,' says moderator Wouter Neerings. 'Visible and activist.'