Is it rowing vandalism? Or a well -considered action? In any case, a black paint bus was sprayed empty over the colorful shelves within one day after the unveiling of a rainbow bench in Vogelenzang. But the municipality replaced it just as quickly this morning.
Local resident Richard Until was so happy on Thursday that a rainbow bank was unveiled in his neighborhood by initiator Harold Koster of the PvdA and alderman Thessa van der Windt. “I recently saw one at the roundabout in Bloemendaal and now here. It’s great that this also happens in my municipality. But when I saw this on Saturday, I was stripped for a while.”
The municipality of Bloemendaal places eight benches spread across the villages, to draw attention to inclusion, not just for the LGBTIQ+community. The message can be clearly seen in one YouTube video You can see that when you scan the QR code on the bench.
Immediately after revelation
Immediately after the unveiling, the colorful bench was almost completely painted at night. Richard sees that as a clear statement. “Because you didn’t do that 1-2-3. That has really been thought about.” In a public Facebook group he posted photos and starts the discussion with villagers.
Text takes place after the photo.
He receives a lot of statements of support, but not everyone shares his horror. “Some people respond on Facebook under my post and find that such a rainbow bench does not belong in a playground, because it will force you too much to children.”
Too bad, says Richard. “Those colors may raise questions among children, so you can start a nice conversation with them.”
“I am not just about my own orientation. The rainbow stands for so much more,” he refers to the objective of the municipality. “I will continue to resist this kind of vandalism. I am happy that the municipality has replaced it again so quickly.”
‘Not necessarily gay hate’
Initiator and municipal councilor Harold Koster of the local PvdA does not want to dramatize the incident. “It’s a shame it happened, but I don’t immediately think of gay hate.”
“I do hope that everyone teaches that those rainbow benches stand for inclusion in general. So also about accessibility for everyone and acceptance of all fellow people.”