Jean-Bernard Maweja
'We are all part of this world. And we all have a purpose and something to bring to the world. Inclusion is what it's all about and what I want to talk about.' We talk to Jean-Bernard. He is the founder and coordinator of the Queer Mind foundation. This foundation ensures safety and visibility for queer people*. The foundation does this by organizing dialogue sessions and contributing to discussions with the municipality and other organizations. 'We can still learn a lot from each other. By having conversations on an equal level.'
Rainbow benches
For visibility and acceptance, the foundation came up with the rainbow benches in the city. These colorful benches are not only resting places, but also a powerful symbol of acceptance, diversity and equality for all residents of The Hague. Jean-Bernard: 'At the same time, we hope to connect by having positive conversations there and promoting inclusion.' He continues: 'During NL Doet, a group of us cleaned the rainbow benches again. It is painful to see them being defaced again and again. It feels as if others think you should go back into the closet. That is such a shame. If you deny someone's identity or get angry about it, you also deprive them of the opportunity to enrich the world. Everyone's contribution is unique. Isn't that beautiful?!'
A safe place with like-minded people
The foundation also takes in people who have nowhere to go and have been rejected by their environment. The foundation provides a safe place with like-minded people. Also to prevent people from becoming suicidal or ending up in the wrong environment and being exploited. Temporary residents can, among other things, chill in the living room, have conversations with a social worker and shower and take care of themselves.
Jean-Bernard says: 'We are the only organization that does this in the Netherlands and the waiting lists are long. So the need is definitely there.'
'The people around you make you feel at home'.
No one is less than the other
Jean-Bernard hears many stories from friends and colleagues. 'There are still men who don't hold hands because they'll be called names. Or who don't wear a pink T-shirt anymore because they don't want to be the next person to be harassed in their neighborhood.' He ends the conversation with a wish for the future: 'I hope that we listen to each other more often and have a real conversation. Then we'll notice that we're not that different. And that no one is less than the other, regardless of color, religion, belief or gender.'
* Queer is an umbrella term for, among others, homosexual, bisexual, pansexual, transgender, intersex and non-binary people.
