Photography: Prisma Compositional
Video: Paradox Productions
Interview: Paul Hofman
Ambassador Dinah Bons has an impressive résumé. As an activist for, among others, the rights of sex workers and bi-cultural LGBT people, the Moluccan trans woman Dinah has made a name for herself in the queer community. Her motto? “Do beautiful things for others and yourself.”
AGENDA
Her schedule is filling up fast. Between trips we met her in Amsterdam. She currently lives and works in Berlin as Executive Director of Strategy for the policy organisation Transgender Europe — a role made for her. She is also co-chair of the bi-cultural foundation Trans United Nederland. As if that weren’t enough, she is active in politics and works as a nurse.
Her first reaction when she was chosen as an ambassador for Pride Amsterdam was one thing: “What an honour and joy for the trans community I represent.” In this role Dinah can explain this community to a wider audience. “That is important for the political field as well.”
EUROPEES
Last year she was on the PvdA candidate list for Amsterdam’s municipal council. She was unfortunately not elected, but that did not stop her from becoming even more active.
“In my work I am used to engaging in LGBT-level politics at the European level. I can advocate for issues that affect all trans people. I speak publicly a lot. In this way I can effectively communicate Pride Amsterdam’s message and work in the media.”
FIGHTING HARDER
“The message I will carry is that the fight for LGBT rights is far from over. Time and again we must defend our rights locally, nationally and internationally. Not every LGBT person has the same rights.” For example, healthcare is not easily accessible for everyone. “Bi-cultural LGBT people often have to fight harder to get by. There are still many stigmas and taboos within our community, resulting in loneliness and depression. As ambassador I can try to break down prejudices by talking about them. That is a commitment I make to myself.”
VERMOORD
Militant, Dinah says: “I think I will have achieved my goal when trans people are no longer murdered because of their identity.” She could not have dreamed she would become an ambassador, though she sometimes thought about it. “With that role and my politically engaged message I can contribute to Pride Amsterdam. Because beyond being a party, the struggle and the work of activists and queer NGOs are important. They shape the Pride as well.”
THEMA
Her professional background is an absolute asset. When we ask Dinah what the theme ‘Remember the Past, create the Future’means, she answers immediately: “Without knowledge of the struggle and the history of our community you cannot fight for the future. It is important that everyone understands which stigmas and taboos have been broken. You cannot understand the safety of vulnerable groups if you know nothing of that past. I gained life experience in the eighties and nineties, but I’m also very much part of the present. Realising the blows the AIDS epidemic dealt our community helps you understand both the fears and the resilience of LGBT people.”
ZELFBESCHIKKINGSRECHT
On what could be improved for trans people she is clear: “Self-determination and human rights must be central in trans-specific healthcare.” That makes her nurse’s heart beat faster, it seems. “The right to decide who you are is so important.” And at the last moment: “I also aim to extend or abolish the concept of genderin municipal basic registries.”
Besides doing beautiful things for others and herself, she adds to her life motto: “Life is too short not to enjoy. It can be over before you know it.”
“VOLUNTEERING IS NOT OPTIONAL”
Pride ambassador since 2019
