Generation gap

Yesterday we started celebrating the 60th anniversary of COC. A special occasion, for me it was the first time I saw such a big part of the living COC history together. I regret I did not speak to many interesting people. Those who prepared our roads, who fought for our rights when the people wouldn't not accept homosexuals in their family. Those who couldn't benefit from international solidarity, those who were often alone in their struggle for a good and equal life. Most of those important people, such as Niek Engelschman and Benno Premsela are no longer alive, and it's said to realise that the rest of the generation is getting very, very old. Seeing them made me proud of being part of COC, and it gave me new energy to do the work that I am doing.

Sixty years after the first meeting of COC Netherlands (which was called 'Shakespear Club' in those early days), we are meeting on a beautiful location in the centre of Amsterdam. With over 300 people we commemorate the history, but also look forward to all the work that still has to be carried out. Unfortunately there was a huge generation gap. Those who are now in their thirtees and fourtees were under represented. They have benefited from the rights that were granted to our communities in the ninetees. The little discrimination that they faced in their younger years is perceived as 'normal', I think something that the current generation doesn't acknowledge any longer. The norm should be no discrimination. It was nice to see young people represented, two young researchers that wrote about the problems of young (minus 16) LGBT people were awarded a Bob Angelo award (synonime for Niek Engelschman).

The LGBT youth group Outsite from Delft performed with their band 'Straight from the closet' the winning song of the COC song festival 2005, which was a nice contrast with the older generation.

And for the rest my weekend has been filled with not doing too much... I met my old school friend Marije on Saturday evening, and went out the evening before. And that means that I'm now gonna put myself together and finish all the work that is waiting...