The Pride flag flew at the Nassau Church in Amsterdam-West, as LGBTIQ+ asylum seekers had an extensive lunch this afternoon. A three-course dinner was organized by Richard Vink and his family and friends. Together with the Cocktail Amsterdam organization, they gave the asylum seekers a warm welcome. “This is a kind of island of joy where we can take our minds off things for a while.”
Three-course dinner for LGBTI asylum seekers – NH News
The asylum seekers came from all over the Netherlands to Amsterdam to have lunch together in the Nassau Church. Many did not know each other yet. They once fled to the Netherlands because they did not feel safe, often also because of their LGBTIQ+ background.
A Russian who was present has been here since June: “The Netherlands is a very welcome country and I am happy that gay rights are a lot more important here. In my home country I was afraid of kidnapping or fighting.” A man from Trinidad and Tobago was also there: “Many have left their home country, leaving behind their friends and family. Here in the Netherlands I have a chance to choose my own family.”
“In their home country, these people often could not be themselves, and in the Netherlands, of course, much more is and is allowed”
Richard Vink, co-organizer, came up with the idea through his mother. “She wanted to spread that Christmas feeling to people who are having a more difficult time here. My husband works for Cocktail Amsterdam and we quickly came up with this idea,” says Richard.
He started looking for people and companies that wanted to donate. And there were plenty of them. Many local companies joined in, but Richard’s family and friends also helped to organize the lunch. Richard: “My husband spent days in the kitchen cooking, the whole house was full.”
He thinks it is important to give the asylum seekers a warm welcome, especially now. “Now that the political landscape is changing so much, it is important that we show that a large part of the Netherlands supports them,” said the organizer.
Cocktail Amsterdam is an organization that helps to support LGBTQ+ asylum seekers with their integration in the Netherlands and to help them with their personal development. They do this by organizing events that are partly educational, but also provide relaxation.
Richard Vink’s husband volunteers at the organization and this is how the collaboration for the three-course dinner came about. Richard: “In their home country, these people often could not be themselves, and in the Netherlands, much more is of course possible and allowed. We want to give them a warm Christmas feeling.”
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