Pink Council debate in Wassenaar

Wassenaar municipal councilors want to really work on local LGBTI policy in the coming years. Earlier plans were removed from the drawer, because too little had been done with them in recent years. The council members also want to see whether they can qualify for the Rainbow Cities scheme from the government and stay in touch with the COC. This is how it sounded during the Pink Council debate on 11 March.

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 Wassenaar, seven parties debate in the pleasantly busy Herberg 't Hoekje.

At the start there is a discussion about how much the themes are alive in Wassenaar: Peter Kolff (GroenLinks) comments: “I have been on the council for four years now and it has never been discussed”. Hubert Shocker (CDA) wants a climate in which sexual and gender diversity is accepted everywhere: “You have to look at what is needed and how the municipality can contribute”. Lawrence van Doeveren (VVD) wants to intervene in case of problems: “Everyone should feel safe everywhere”.  Inge Zweerts de Jong, Local Wassenaar and Alderman for Emancipation: “It should not be the case that people who are different receive less attention”. With regard to safety, she adds that she has two reports, both of which are about the work situation.

Sports climate
Everyone agrees about a safe sports climate and a proactive role for the municipality to keep a finger on the pulse at schools regarding safety for LGBTI people. Deborah Sutherland notes that schools have effective anti-bullying policies, but may need more expertise specifically for LGBTI people. Kolff van GroenLinks wants to put a safe sports climate high on the agenda and get in touch with the sports centers in Wassenaar.

Pink Elderly
The statement about stimulating meeting opportunities for elderly people in pink generates more discussion. Sutherland (D66): “It is in line with the plan from a few years ago, but I hope there is sufficient need. According to healthcare institutions, it is not an issue, although it is not asked about it during the intake.” Also Inge Bunte (PvdA) has doubts: “I think it is a step too far. The elderly are often in the closet, if you start tomorrow, I don't think it will be a success." The audience responds: “I come to Voorburg and Delft and these initiatives work well there, I miss that in Wassenaar.” and “In Delft it also took a while, it is often a matter of patience, but it is very important that pink elderly can build up a network.”. Hans mulder (Heart voor Wassenaar) thinks it has no role for the municipality: "I think this can be organized perfectly from the COC and the care institutions themselves."

Wide package
It is noted from the public that a proposal was adopted council-wide in 2011, which included a broad package of issues: Pink carpet for healthcare institutions, information at schools, et cetera. “Nothing happened to that!” . shocker (CDA) responds: "Let's actively take that up in the coming period".

Rainbow Village
The National Rainbow Cities Scheme is intended to financially support local LGBTI policy. When this comes up tell Zweerts de Jong (Local Wassenaar): “I'm going to ask why we aren't participating yet. Maybe Wassenaar is too small? I'm the last one to miss out on a subsidy!". Kolff (GroenLinks) adds: “Everyone has sympathy, but money should not be the motivation to do something about LGBTI policy”. Bunte of the PvdA considers participation in such a scheme a good stick behind the door and also FROM doveren (VVD) wants to help to make Wassenaar a Rainbow Village.

In two years
At the end the question is asked where we can judge the politicians regarding LGBTI policy in four years' time. Mulder (Heart for Wassenaar) goes back to the previous topic: “That we are also a rainbow community.” and shocker from the CDA: “Checking whether something has actually happened!”.  Kolff (GroenLinks) adds that he wants to measure again in two years' time, something D66 and Lokaal Wassenaar agree with: “We would like to see the COC again in two years' time for a meeting in 't Hoekje”.