Photography: Noah ValentynStyling & MUAH: Sjoerd WillemsenInterview: Paul Hofman
Serdar Manavoglu (41) is the face of Pink Istanbul, which has its tenth edition this year. From his profession, he knows the Amsterdam music, dance, art and gay scene like no other. Pride Amsterdam is proud that he is one of the ambassadors.
Although his name suggests otherwise, Serdar was born and raised in Amsterdam. Graduating as a political scientist, he rather unexpectedly ended up at pop temple Paradiso. As a programmer ten years ago, he spearheaded Pink Istanbul and later the high-profile Turkish Boat.
Eight years ago, he founded a Dutch version in Istanbul. a Both are a resounding success. "By giving people a stage and sharing stories, I want to build bridges," he says.
Serdar was surprised when he was asked for the ambassadorship. "I did have to think about it for a while because it's not just a job. It involves a lot. At the same time, I thought: who am I that I get to do this?" He picked up the gauntlet. "There is still a lot to do when it comes to LGBT people. The emancipation of ethnic groups, and especially Muslim gays in it, is high on my list of priorities. I think they should become more visible."
Many Turks and Dutch feel that Turkish homosexuals should just give up their identity if they come out of the closet. Expressions of identity and culture are imposed on you or claimed by and for homosexuals. But that doesn't work at all. It is an impossible choice. Because how can you choose between giving up your ethnic identity and trading it in for your sexual identity?"
During Pride, he will visit and talk to as many activities and people as possible. "For me, connecting people on a small level is central. I think that works best." Being seen as a role model himself makes him shy.
He himself has never faced anti-gay violence. "I was lucky," he says. That it is increasing in both the Netherlands and Turkey worries him greatly. "The hardening and polarisation and people's assertiveness feels threatening. Still, I think you have to keep talking to each other. Then half is already won."
Pride ambassador since 2018
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