How can the municipality of Meppel implement and promote an active LGBTIQ+ policy? The Regenboog Meppel foundation has written a policy plan for this on behalf of the municipality. It is the first time that there is such a policy in Meppel.
This includes, for example, the provision of safe meeting places for all ages. There must also be care and support for LGBTIQ+ people, as well as theme meetings for the target group. The municipality is expected to have a broad vision on diversity and to pay attention to sexual diversity during exchange visits with other cities, such as with the partner city of Most in the Czech Republic. The policy is evaluated every year.
But besides the fact that it is a policy plan, according to chairman Marisa Grotens it is mainly about raising awareness. Positive awareness. “It is an irreversible process. You do not suddenly become different, you are the way you are and that is allowed.”
She is not part of the LGBTQIA+ community herself. “That is not necessary at all. It shows that we as a club have become more diverse. We focus on everyone.”
As said, it’s about awareness. Not to point fingers. “What do you say to someone else?” That is still necessary, in Meppel and throughout the Netherlands. She refers to the chants in stadiums, but also to the burning of rainbow flags, which recently happened in Meppel. “You can’t prevent that by giving a guest lecture. You only do that by sharing the story and meeting people.” And sharing stories and meeting people often happens through holding activities.
Previously, the foundation mainly focused on rainbow week, but now it wants to be visible all year round. She does this, for example, by bringing the Pride Photo Exhibition to the city, an open-air exhibition with twenty large photo panels. Another event was a drag queen bingo in the summer. The foundation’s basic principle is that all events are free. “This way you keep it accessible and reach the largest group.”
All events that will be organized fall under three points that emerge in the policy: meeting, information and safety.
For example, this year there was a theme evening for sports clubs under the heading of information, in which attention was paid to manners on the sports field and in the locker room. But the policy also focuses on prevention. Specific attention must be paid to requests for help from LGBTQIA+ residents. The aim is to increase the willingness to report and report crimes and to increase the knowledge of where people can go if they feel unsafe.
The foundation will soon enter into discussions with secondary education to see what is possible to get involved and provide information. At primary schools, local politicians and members of the foundation already read during rainbow week.
The municipality of Meppel did not come up with a policy for this itself, but rather asked the foundation to come up with one. “The municipality wanted it to come from society itself.”
Marisa Grotens leafs through the plan again. “Who is going to read this now?” she wonders out loud. Yes, the foundation is there for everyone, but the document that is now available is not so much so. “This is for the municipality, for the province.” That is why a user-friendly version will be available soon. “I call it the Linda version. Just a brochure in simple language. For everyone to leaf through.”