Chairperson Sanne Pull (third on the left): “Who or whatever you are, it does not matter to us.”
Students create LGBTQ student association
Sanne was missing a meeting spot for the LGBTQ- community in Zwolle. That is why she created the student association AtmosQueer with two other classmates. “Who or whatever you are, it does not matter to us. We are pro acceptance and respect.”
“In Amsterdam there is a LGBTQ-party twice a week, in Zwolle there is one once a month, it is called the “Blije borrel” and held at city café Blij.”, explains Sanne Pull (23), chairperson of the new student association AtmosQueer. She thinks that this has to change. “I was missing a place where I could meet up with a group of people with whom I could talk about experiences and doubts, because there are those doubts and experiences hetero sexuals do not have.
Thirty immediate registrations
Sanne`s classmates, Selina van de Wetering and Eva Romkes, also missed such a place. That is why the students of the study program Global Project and Change Management established the student association AtmosQueer in Zwolle. The vision and the policy plan were ready within two weeks. The three of them also created a Facebook page and an event for the first unofficial AtmosQueer at the student café: “Het Vliegende Paard.” “We expected at the most a couple of registrations from friends however, there were thirty registrations. Also people whom we did not know. They had heard of us from others and they were all present. Amazing!”
Lowering the bar
The goal AtmosQueer has set is to lower the bar, so you can be honest about your orientation. The associations wants to do this by hosting their own parties and trying to host parties with other student associations. “We want to be able to host parties or organize something so we all can go somewhere and eat dinner together. In such a setting our members will be able to be themselves in a safe environment and meet others alike. There is a barrier, Sanne hears from others. She also experiences this: “Sometimes I am afraid that others will judge me yet, ironically those are also my prejudices. When someone tells you they are very religious, I expect them to not accept me. However, I know enough religious people who do not have anything against the LGBTQ community.
From doubter to very gay
Acceptance and respect are the core of AtmosQueer. Sanne: “With us there is room for people who are still doubting their orientation or gender identity and those who are very gay. But hetero sexuals are also very welcome!
There is also room to experiment. “If you as a male want to join an event dressed as a woman to experience what it is like, without the risk of having a label pinned on you, you can.” “ What we do not tolerate? We do not tolerate aggression! If you are aggressive you are removed from the group!”
Pink latex and neon
During the first meeting Sanne, Eva and Selena started talking to the newest member of the board: Lejon Weerkamp (21) – on the picture, the second to the left. He is an all-round assistant in café Het Vliegende Paard and decided to join AtmosQueer because he believes in their mission. “A strong point of the association is that there is a place for everybody. No one is excluded.” In his spare time Lejon is a drag performer, his stage name Sjerrol Addams. “When I come on stage I wear luminous boots, a pink spandex dress and neon make-up and I see the people almost gagging. When I do not see those reactions when I come on stage, then I am doing something wrong!” In his daily routine he is not dressed in drag. “No, definitely not, it takes me two hours to transform myself into Sherrol, I do not want to do it without a special occasion. Besides it is not very comfortable: my toes are getting crushed in those pumps and my cock is constantly in the way. My wig is very heavy and so on. All this work is worth it when I get on stage: it is so much fun to be able to make people smile!” Lejon mostly gets good reactions on his performances. “My friends are enjoying what I do and my mother even has a selfie with Sjerrol as her background picture on her phone! When I am in drag, I sometimes get a disapproving look, they look like: “I like what you do, but do not touch me.” Sanne also gets disapproving looks when she is walking hand in hand with a woman when she is walking on the street. “But those are the exceptions. I do not notice a lot of gay hate in Zwolle. Who knows, maybe our association is no longer necessary in ten years. Maybe the LGBTQs are then brave enough and able to be entirely themselves!”
LGBTQ means lesbian, gay, bi, trans and queer. Or everything else but hetero. But heteros are also welcome at the student association AtmosQueer.
Want to become a member? More information can be found on facebook.com/ZSVAtmosQueer.
Janine Sterenborg
Pictures: Gerben Rink
