Text: Paul Hofman
Photo: Remon van den Kommer
Video: Paradox Productions
“It’s a recognition of my work as a professional for the transgender community.” BeyonG Veldkamp (36) is the perfect ambassador for 2022: an activist at heart and a natural networker. In 2017 she won the Jos Brink Innovation Prize together with an Amsterdam police spokesperson. Not long after, she and several other outstanding people were invited to meet King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima. On 7 December 2021 COC Nederland crowned a new generation of LGBTI activists. BeyonG was one of them and received a beautiful “Stars of the Future” award for her tireless dedication to our community. “But this ambassadorship is one of the most wonderful things so far. It tops everything. It brings everything together.”
Somewhere in the middle of Amsterdam’s centre is the trans house. BeyonG is there every first and third Wednesday of the month with a walk-in consultation for LGBTI people of colour. It is part of Buurtteam Amsterdam Centrum, a social care organisation. “I came here years ago as a client seeking help, and now I work here myself as a peer support worker.”
Challenge
At breakneck speed she talks about her gender, life, work, love and the Pride 2022 themeMy Gender, My Pride. She knows the transgender community like no other. When we interview her it turns out she has just taken a new job. From spring she will beSocial Media Event Manager of Pride Amsterdam. BeyonG is extremely enthusiastic; “A wonderful challenge that is made for me.” Just like the ambassadorship, she adds.
Her life has not been smooth sailing. “I was born male 36 years ago in Paramaribo. That’s also where I grew up. At fifteen I moved to the Netherlands with my mother and little brother. Not long after I started having problems with myself.” She realised she was “different.” At eighteen she came out as a teenager. “I was attracted to boys.”
Intense
Six years later she experiences another coming-out: this time as transgender. A painful period with a lot of grief follows. She faced much incomprehension from those around her. “Conversations with psychiatrists and various hormone treatments followed each other at lightning speed. And many suicidal thoughts.” Eventually it led to transition. “The result? Finally I became myself, simply BeyonG.” But it left deep scars. After that heavy transition process she experienced domestic violence, manipulation, discrimination and racism. “My own father did not accept me, but after a long time and regret he apologised. No, it really didn’t leave me untouched.” Like many other trans people, she soon became active in the trans community. Her commitment, involvement, passion and warmth stood out. She became vice-chair of Trans United, which advocates for the interests of trans people.
When she had to do an internship during her higher professional education, she chose to do it at the national COC. She becameProject Manager of Respect2love. That is a group that supports LGBTI people from different cultural backgrounds. In 2013 she was one of the founders of Trans United Europe and in 2016 BeyonG became vice-chair of Trans United Europe. It marked the start of a meaningful journey — also a journey into her gender and sexuality.”
Happiness
“I have never regretted my transition for a moment.” Reflecting: “I’ve come a long way. But I always believed in myself. If you do that, you’ll get through it.” BeyonG compares it to being in a tunnel where you can’t see the light. “It was a difficult process but I’m so glad I did it. It was worth it. I am now completely happy.”
Freedom and safety
She is worried about the insecurity faced by LGBTI people, especially trans people. “A lot has been done for acceptance but in my view there is still room for improvement. Think of visibility and legislation.” BeyonG: “There is still a lot of ignorance about trans people. As an ambassador I can play a strong role in increasing visibility.” She feels much has been done but sex and gender education in schools about trans people and gender diversity could be much better. “I experience that there is still a lot of ignorance. As ambassador I want to fight that. Did you know I was recently rejected for a job? Purely because I’m transgender.” She restrains her anger.
BeyonG is eagerly looking forward to Pride 2022. Because of the manylockdownsmany activities could not take place. But now that almost everything is possible again, BeyonG will definitely let loose during Pride. “I’m on fire,” she says convincingly.
Trans woman of colour
“I’m really excited. Count on me enjoying it to the fullest. I want to share that freedom, safety and being able to be yourself are the most important things in life. That’s what it’s about. As a trans woman of colour I hope to be an inspiration. Even though you have to work four times harder as a transgender person, it’s worth the effort.” My motto? “Nothing is black-and-white. And being trans: that never stops. I want to share my story with everyone. Here I am: this is who I am. A trans woman who is not ashamed of anything.”
Pride ambassador since 2022
