On Saturday November 2, The Hague will host a new festival to promote gay emancipation, called WATH Festival. WATH stands for We Are The Hague and is an indoor pride with debates, dance, literature, film and parties. The WATH Foundation is an initiative of four committed residents of The Hague in collaboration with event organizers from the Hague gay circuit and the Hague gay catering industry.
The WATH Festival takes place thanks to financial support from the Municipality of The Hague and Fonds 1818, but the foundation emphasizes that any support is more than welcome. Marjolein de Jong, The Hague's alderman for Culture, Inner City and International, is enthusiastic: "It is great to see that in The Hague, the international city of peace and justice, many organizations are working together to promote gay emancipation on the to put card. In 2013, that is -unfortunately- not as obvious to everyone as it should be. Kudos to the people of WATH and all those who work hard to make it clear that everyone is equal and that race or sexual orientation should make no difference.”
indoor pride
Rain or cold have no influence on the influx of visitors – lesbians, gay and bisexuals and transgenders (LGBT) and heterosexual sympathizers. Numerous activities, both substantive and entertaining, take place in Theater aan het Spui, the Nieuwe Kerk and the Filmhuis Den Haag, among others, including: a pink church service, the transgender photo campaign 'WATH if I was', a debate about gay rights in East Europe and Russia, film, dance, literature and workshops. The evening program of the WATH Festival consists of dance events with live performances and DJs. The parties are in the hands of the organizers of the monthly straight friendly party Popcake, Soulheaven ('The open-minded party for women, men and everyone with the right attitude'), On Heelz ('The exclusive party that focuses on multicultural and trendsetting women') and the light pink Hoflounge drink.
Why WHAT?
There is great horror at the discriminatory legislation in Russia and in the meantime seven of the many countries in which homosexuality is still a criminal offense are carrying out the death penalty. Dutch studies also show negative trends. Gay youth are up to five times more likely to attempt suicide and half of secondary school students do not want to be friends with a lesbian or gay person. A third of workers do not come out and every year one in seven LGBTs is confronted with (verbal) violence. The gay community in The Hague can and wants to take up a permanent position as a place where active advocacy is made for gay emancipation on a national and international level. The WATH Festival is an important step in this.
You cannot reply to this post