Photography: Noah Valentyn
Styling & MUAH: Sjoerd Willemsen
Interview: Paul Hofman
Serdar Manavoglu (41) is the face of Pink Istanbul, which this year marks its tenth edition. Through his work he knows Amsterdam’s music, dance, art and gay scenes like no other. Pride Amsterdam is proud that he is one of the ambassadors.
Despite what his name might suggest, Serdar was born and raised in Amsterdam. Trained as a political scientist, he landed — somewhat unexpectedly — at the pop venue Paradiso. As a programmer he helped launch Pink Istanbul ten years ago and later the high-profile Turkish boat.
Eight years ago he set up a Dutch edition in Istanbul. Both have been resounding successes. “By giving people a stage and sharing stories, I want to build bridges.”
Serdar was surprised when he was asked to be an ambassador. “I had to think about it for a while — it’s not just a job. It carries a lot of responsibility. At the same time I thought: who am I to be allowed to do this?” He took up the challenge. “There is still much to do for LGBTQI people. The emancipation of ethnic groups and especially Muslim gay people is high on my priority list. I believe they should be more visible.”
Many Turks and Dutch people expect Turkish gay men to give up their identity when they come out. Expressions of identity and culture are either imposed on you or claimed by and for homosexuals. But that doesn’t work. It’s an impossible choice. How can you choose between giving up your ethnic identity and trading it for your sexual identity?”
During Pride he will visit as many events and people as possible and talk with them. “For me, connecting people on a small scale is central. I think that works best.” Being seen as a role model himself makes him shy.
He has never personally experienced anti-gay violence. “I’ve been lucky.” That it is increasing in both the Netherlands and Turkey worries him deeply. “The hardening, polarisation and people’s need to assert themselves feel threatening. Still, I believe we must keep talking to each other. Half the battle is won then.”
Pride ambassador since 2018
