Photo: Martijn van Veen
Interview: Paul Hofman
This police officer of Moroccan descent has worked for the police for more than 20 years. Souad Boumedien wants to use her ambassadorship to build alliances to counter exclusion. “With the theme This Is My Pride we celebrate our shared humanity, despite our differences. We breathe the same air and need each other. Let’s make something beautiful of it.”
Interview
“I AM WHO I AM. PERIOD.”
Police officer, farmer, lesbian and Moroccan — Souad Boumedien is all of these at once. This year this remarkable woman is also an ambassador. She became known, among other things, for organising the first Moroccan boat in 2015 during the Canal Parade. The passionate advocate for equal rights for LGBTi people is often in the media. She recently took part in a powerful documentary in which she and other Moroccans were portrayed. In a wide-ranging interview she speaks openly about Pride, her work and her mission as an ambassador. “The public debate around LGBTi issues has undeniably become harsher.”
She walks into the café where we agreed to meet with a smile. In the background, fittingly, Prince’s ‘Purple Rain’ is playing. “That’s my favourite song,” she laughs, a twinkle in her eye. She launches straight into the conversation and says she’s incredibly proud to be one of this year’s faces of Pride. “It was a goosebump moment when I was called to ask if I wanted to be an ambassador. I was jumping around the living room.” She wants to give LGBTi people a face, literally and figuratively. “Including those still in the closet,” Souad emphasises. “You’ll see me, like the other ambassadors, in many places around the city during the upcoming Pride. My mission is to combat exclusion in all its forms.” Together with the Brothers Grimm, Ana Paula Lima, Sjors van der Panne, Shary-An and Niki Today she will no doubt fulfil that unifying role with distinction.
Proudly she shows a promo of the NTR documentary in which she and other Moroccans talk about, among other things, the culture of shame and the social pressure within Moroccan families. “It was quite emotional to see the footage again. Watching it brought up a lot for me.” The reactions were heartwarming. “In Morocco, sexuality is a sensitive topic, let alone homosexuality. It’s taboo. To put it in perspective: “But that also applies when a boy and girl kiss in public.” Together with Mohamed Chaibi she took the initiative two years ago
to have a Moroccan boat join the Canal Parade. The event received worldwide attention. “I never imagined it would have such an impact. To be honest, I underestimated it. For me it was a personal milestone.”
What is her most beautiful memory of a Gay Pride? “That is definitely the moment in the late nineties when I met a wonderful woman at a party. I had just come out, so you can imagine how nervous I was.” Souad visibly becomes shy. Her mischievous look says enough.
She has worked for the Dutch police for more than twenty years. In addition to being a member of the gay network Roze in Blauw, she is also a confidante for Moroccan colleagues within the police force. As a lesbian woman with Moroccan roots she seems a worthy successor to Amsterdam’s police spokesperson Ellie Lust.
The Pride theme this year fits her like a glove, it seems.
Souad has a clear mission that perfectly aligns with Pride Amsterdam’s motto. “With ‘This is my Pride’ we celebrate being human, however different we may be. Because we all want to be happy, right? We simply need each other.”
“By being visible I want to give courage to young people who are still in the closet. I want to include everyone.”
By engaging in the discussion she receives a lot of support from heterosexual Moroccans. A man recently said the debate that was sparked was positive for Amsterdam and for diversity within the Moroccan community. She recognises that not everyone will respond positively. “We are on our way. That people are talking to each other is an important start. Slowly we are making progress.” She sees it as a clear gain. She shines.
The tough Souad looks to the future with confidence. “Emancipation is accelerating rapidly. Who would have thought twenty years ago that a Moroccan boat would sail along?” She does hope more LGBTi Dutch people of Moroccan descent will step up and become role models. With her presence and her message she certainly won’t be missed. “It’s going to be a celebration of openness. Being lesbian and Moroccan go perfectly together.” As we say goodbye she laughs: “If Morocco gets a COC, I can die peacefully.” From for Pride she will celebrate with her wife and friends. Souad, a police officer through and through, can’t wait for Pride to begin.
Pride Ambassador since 2017
