Photography: Noah Valentyn
Styling & MUAH: Sjoerd Willemsen
Interview: Paul Hofman
This year Pride Amsterdam has eight ambassadors who will carry the theme ‘Heroes’. With her story and infectious laugh, young Loena Maas (20) stands out like no other. She was hugely surprised to be chosen from nine nominees. “I was incredibly nervous and it took a while before it really sank in.” It felt as if her childhood dream had come true.
Her parents nominated her for the title. That she received the most votes online was, according to Pride Amsterdam director Lucien Spee, due to the fact that “she passionately supports the transgender community through her openness”.
Being seen as a role model for young trans people means a lot to her. “I can now give something back.” Did she have a hero herself as a queer child? She doesn’t have to think long: “That is absolutely Lady GaGa. Her message and music move me. ‘Always fight for someone’ is her motto. That speaks to me a great deal. It was like the first domino fell for me. She inspired me.”
She’s proud to be the first Youth Pride Ambassador. “Reaching this at twenty means a lot to me.”
Loena briefly talks about her childhood in Limburg. “I was born here as a boy.” She discovered she didn’t feel comfortable in her body. When she saw the documentary about trans woman and former Pride ambassador Valentijn de Hingh, she knew. “That beautiful film opened my eyes.”
At fourteen Loena came out as transgender. A year later she began her transition. It was a difficult period in which she faced many prejudices from people around her. Loena does not like to dwell on it.
Now that she is one of Pride’s figureheads she wants to work even harder for trans people. “There is still a lot of misunderstanding. And there is also a lack of knowledge about us.” It hurt her that the word ‘gender-neutral’ was voted the most annoying word of the year in 2017. “It’s absurd. It makes me very sad.”
She has several striking tattoos on her arms that catch the eye immediately. Will she add one for Pride Amsterdam? “Definitely. I’m just still thinking about the design.” She can’t wait to get started.
Pride Ambassador since 2018
