AMSTERDAM — Representatives of LGBTQIA+ and human rights organizations from Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Sint Maarten and Saba jointly participated in WorldPride in Amsterdam this week. On the initiative of foundation EQ Bonaire, twelve representatives from the Caribbean part of the Kingdom traveled to the Netherlands to raise awareness for equality, respect and acceptance.
A highlight was the participation in the Canal Parade on August 1st. The delegation sailed on the boat of the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science (OCW), carrying the Bonairean and Curaçaoan flags and signs bearing the message "Rèspèt!" and the slogan Nos t’ei, We are here.
Inspiration and the need for meeting places
Visibility is of great importance, the participants emphasize. Egmar Irausquin of Fundacion Orguyo in Aruba points to growing intolerance worldwide, but calls the visible support in Amsterdam inspiring. Both he and Caroline Singh of EQ Bonaire advocate for a permanent meeting place on the islands, comparable to the COC, and for more education on sexual and gender diversity, especially for young people.
Discrimination and collaboration
Nadjesca Gumbs of the Sint Maarten/Saint Martin Alliance for Equality reports that the community regularly faces discriminatory remarks, from religious quarters and via social media. Charlysen Jansen from Curaçao, however, sees the strength in collaboration between the islands: sharing experiences and learning from one another. Following the attack during Pride in Berlin, he felt it was especially important to be visibly present.
Volunteers and funding
A shared challenge is finding volunteers and allies who are also willing to speak out publicly. The Ministry of OCW is meanwhile working on funding for projects that, over the next three years, should contribute to the position, safety and visibility of the LGBTQIA+ community on all six Caribbean islands.
