Interview: Paul Hofman
Politics and human rights are close to his heart. In the mid-1990s Boris Dittrich (65) became a D66 member of the House of Representatives. As an openly gay man, he became a prominent figure in the fight for equal rights for LGBT+ people. This year he is an ambassador for Pride Amsterdam. “We still have a lot to overcome for equal rights and equal opportunities.”
Boris returned to politics a year ago. In 2006 he stepped down as leader of the social-liberal D66 to become Director, Minorities at the human rights organisation Human Rights Watch — a role he performed with distinction. Still, he couldn’t let go of politics. A year ago he became a member of the Senate for D66. Boris also writes books. His new novelTerug naar Tarvod ispublished at the end of May.
In his scarce free time and while travelling, Boris writes crime novels. They are often thrillers in which LGBT+ people are not a spectacle, but detectives solving murders.
Asylum
When he was asked to be an ambassador for Pride Amsterdam 2020, Boris responded with delight. “I’m happy to be an ambassador for the whole Pride Week, because I stand for inclusivity and compassion. People who have to flee their country because of severe threats, social marginalisation or discrimination have the right to seek asylum elsewhere and to build a new life in safety.”
From up close he experienced what it is like to be an asylum seeker. “My father himself fled his country. From personal experience I know how important it is that the Netherlands does not seal its borders shut, but remains open to those who desperately need safety here.”
Colourful diversity
The ambassadorship means a lot to him. “Our community is colourful and diverse. As a white man I’m part of that. As ambassador I especially want to reach people outside our community and show that we still have a lot to overcome before we can speak of equal rights and equal opportunities.”
His message? “First of all, I don’t want to be put into the box of white cis man, gay. I’m here for others from the communityand beyond. My message is that as a community we must also be in solidarity with others who are discriminated against for who they are.” Who does he mean by that? “People with physical or mental disabilities, people with a migrant background, and women, for example. We must not be inward-looking.” Then: “Navel-gazing doesn’t get us anywhere, and internal division certainly won’t.”
Not a party animal
He already has an idea of how he will shape his ambassadorship. “I want to be visible, especially by taking an active part in the nine-day programme between the Pride Walk and the Canal Parade.” Boris is full of ideas. “Think, for example, of organising events where we talk about the harms of conversion therapy (prayer ‘healing’ for sexual orientation or gender identity) and other human rights violations.” It’s not surprising that as a writer he also wants to organise a literary evening with LGBT+ authors. “There is so much more than just parties. I’m not much of a party animal — they don’t need me for that.”
Painful
Boris says he has experienced countless Prides in his life. “The Pride that left a strong impression on me was the one in Moscow in 2007. I was there as an observer for Human Rights Watch and of course knew that the Russian authorities had no tolerance for homosexuality. I was in the middle of it when religious groups started beating up LGBT+ people and little old ladies came with baskets of eggs. Others began throwing those eggs at us. The police stood by and watched. That hatred and the police’s indifference were truly painful to witness. Then you realise how fortunate we are in the Netherlands.”
He is proud of this year’s Pride theme. “Take Pride in Us means to me personally that others may take joy in us. I hope they will look beyond the boxes of LGBT+ and see us as full people who are important to society, and that our sexual orientation or gender identity is just one facet of being human…”
Critics say Pride is no longer necessary. Their argument? Everything has already been achieved. But nothing could be further from the truth, says Boris. “We are far from there yet.”
Pride ambassador since 2021.
