Those who visit the Rainbow Festival in Emmen on Saturday should not be surprised by a large removal van. It belongs to the GGD Drenthe, and is used for information and vaccine action against hepatitis B. It is the first time that the GGD is present at the festival.
“We rented a bus and made an STI clinic in the back. A consulting room, a chair to draw blood and a toilet,” says Dianne Schriemer of the GGD. The organization hopes to speak to festival-goers for consultations about sexually transmitted diseases and for vaccinations against Hepatitis B.
It is of course no coincidence that the GGD is at the Rainbow Festival. “The hepatitis B virus is sexually transmitted, and also through blood. We are looking for special target groups for the vaccination against the virus: sex workers, trans people and men who have sex with men.”
“We are mainly there with a positive intention, so not with the raised index finger to tell us what is going wrong,” says Schriemer. “But to talk to people about their experience, and to give them advice.”
To come into contact with the festival goers, the GGD is therefore bringing two games. A surprise prize awaits those who can guess how many condoms are in a large glass jar. And visitors can throw a ring around a post. No wooden pole, but a dildo this time: it’s going to be cock ring throwing.
It can help to lower the threshold to board the bus for a conversation or a hepatitis shot. “Free and completely anonymous,” emphasizes Schriemer. If you want a longer conversation with the GGD, you can make an appointment on the spot.
Taking a bus to the festival is new for GGD Drenthe. “It’s the first time for us. And besides the consultations and vaccinations, it’s important to show us in a positive way.”
The organization of the Rainbow Festival expects 2,000 to 3,000 visitors. “We hope that we can see and speak to a hundred people on Saturday. Of course not everyone will come, and that is not necessary. But it is good to be present.”