At the National Remembrance on 4 May at the Kamp Westerbork memorial center, a rainbow wreath is being laid for the first time. “That is special, and means a lot for LGBTI residents of Drenthe,” says Regenboog ambassador Henk Nijmeijer.
The wreath symbolizes the recognition of the persecution of LGBTI+ people during the Nazi regime. It is also a call to continue to protect freedom, diversity and equality.
“The wreath is therefore a recognition for the fact that this group has also been persecuted, but also that the battle that we are still fulfilled daily gets good attention again. Because it is not a matter of course all.”
No rainbow wreath is laid at the national commemorations on Dam Square in Amsterdam and on the Waalsdorpervlakte near The Hague. “On the Dam it was not appropriate that a wreath was also laid on behalf of the LGBTI community,” said Nijmeijer. “You also have to see that a bit in the light of the 1980s. At that time it was not self -evident to talk about this openly. That is why the gay monument was founded in Amsterdam at that time.”
The fact that the Nazi regime actively continued gays could be a reason to give attention to it. “Fortunately, we have also heard that noise. But of course it remains strange that there was no recognition for the official commemoration for the LGBTI persons, who have also been prosecuted and murdered. And that is why I am very proud that Bernien MINCO, director of the Remembrance Center, immediately said she was going to change that.”
But do you have to name groups separately if a commemoration is for everyone? According to Nijmeijer, at a time when the inclusive thought is losing more and more ground.
“We see in the world again that a distinction is made. In America, diversity and inclusiveness are no longer allowed. That in Hungary books from schools are brought about homosexuality and LGBTI. Then you have to ask for space for this discussion again.”
De Krans has not yet seen Nijmeijer. “But it must be a wreath with all the colors of the rainbow, so without black and white. And it is laid by representatives of the LGBTI community from all twelve municipalities of Drenthe.” Furthermore, Henk Nijmeijer himself will also be at the wreath laying, and the chairman of interest group COC Groningen-Drenthe, Arjan Polstra.
It is the start of what should be an annual tradition.