This month is much more than just giving attention to the fact that you are allowed to love who you love, which should apply to everyone and everywhere in the world. It is often said that visibility creates acceptance and normalisation, as DWARS Overijssel we also subscribe to this. However, it is important to realise that many (young) LGBTQA+ people feel excluded from society. They still experience a lot of discrimination and hate on a daily basis purely because of who they are and who they love. Also, many of this group of people end up on the streets because they are not accepted by their own families.

There are also so-called ‘LGBTQA+ free zones’ in certain countries, for example Poland. In these zones, according to the Polish government, it is forbidden to be here as an LGBTQA+ person, or expressing this could also get you punished. This is something that goes against everything DWARS Overijssel stands for. And why all of us need to talk and engage in conversation about it right now.

As DWARS Overijssel, we still want to say the following to all people; We believe that you can be there, that you can be proud of who you are and that this is normal. You are unique and you may love who you want to love. Be proud of who you are and what you stand for, we stand beside you. Be proud, have Pride!