Mookhoek describes De Trut as a club that is more than just a place where you can drink a cheap beer and walk around in as little clothing as possible. He sees that although the public has dressed differently over the years, he believes the atmosphere has changed little in those forty years. He also reflects this in his portraits. “I think there is one common denominator and that is that they all have unique, individual characters,” says Mookhoek. “They are all quite stubborn people who do not allow themselves to be lectured.”
Fund
According to founder Wijnen, De Trut also goes further than the dance floor. All profits go into a fund and more than 900,000 euros were deposited into it in 40 years. The De Trut Fund raises money to support and strengthen the community. For example, in the early years donations were made to HIV projects. Nowadays, initiatives are supported at home and abroad to combat hatred against the queer community.
In addition to the unique character of De Trut, this is what Wijnen will continue to strive for. “If you ask me, what are you proud of? It’s that we have been able to give away such an incredible amount of money. Through our volunteer work, but especially that the customers come here en masse and just come and drink. That’s great, right?”
On December 20th there will be a big celebration, when De Trut will celebrate her birthday in the Tillatec. An exhibition will follow in 2026 that delves into the history of the discotheque, where Mookhoek’s documentary will also be shown.