Photo: Martijn van Veen
Interview: Paul Hofman
This officer of Moroccan descent has worked in the police force for more than 20 years. Souad Boumedien wants to use her ambassadorship to build alliances to combat exclusion. "With the theme This Is My Pride, we celebrate that we are human, however different. We breathe the same oxygen and need each other. Let's make something beautiful out of it."
Interview
"I AM WHO I AM. POINT."
Policewoman, farmer's wife, lesbian and Moroccan Souad Boumedien is all in one. This year, this extraordinary woman is also an ambassador. Among other things, she became known for organising the first Moroccan boat in 2015 during the Canal Parade. The passionate advocate of equal rights for LGBT people can often be found in the media. For instance, she recently participated in an impressive documentary in which she was portrayed along with other Moroccans. In an extensive interview, she talks candidly about Pride, her work and her mission as an ambassador. "The debate in society has also undeniably hardened on LGBTi issues," she says.
Smiling, she walks into the cafe where we have agreed to meet. In the background, Prince's song 'Purple Rain' sounds quite appropriately. "That's my favourite song." she laughs with a twinkle in her eyes. She immediately burns loose and tells us how incredibly proud she is to be one of the Pride faces this year. "It was a goosebump moment when I was called if I wanted to be an ambassador. I stood jumping in the living room." She will literally and figuratively give LGBTi people a face. "Also those who are still in the closet." stresses Souad. "You will see me like the other ambassadors in many places around the city during the upcoming Pride. It is my mission to fight against exclusion in any form." Together with the Grimm brothers, Ana Paula Lima, Sjors van der Panne, Shary-An and Niki Today, she will no doubt play that connecting role with verve.
She proudly shows a promo of the NTR documentary in which she and other Moroccans talk about, among other things, the culture of shame and social pressure within Moroccan families. "For me, it was quite exciting to see the footage back. When I watched it back, it triggered a lot in me again." The reactions were heartwarming. "In Morocco, sexuality is sensitive, let alone homosexuality. It is taboo. Relatable: "But so is when a boy and girl kiss in public." Together with Mohamed Chaibi, two years ago she took
the initiative to sail with a Moroccan boat during the Canal Parade. The event received worldwide attention. "I never thought it would have such an impact. I honestly underestimated that. For me personally, it was a milestone."
What is her fondest memory of a Gay Pride? "That's definitely the moment I met a beautiful lady at a party in the late 1990s. I had just come out of the closet myself so you can imagine how nervous I was." Souad becomes visibly shy. Her mischievous look says it all.
She has been working for the Dutch police for more than 20 years. Besides being a member of the Roze in Blauw gay network, she is also a confidant for Moroccan colleagues within the police force. As a lesbian woman with Moroccan roots, she looks set to become a worthy successor to Amsterdam police spokesperson Ellie Lust.
This year's Pride theme is right up her alley, it turns out.
Souad has a clear mission that fits perfectly with Pride Amsterdam's motto. "With 'This is my Pride' we celebrate being human, no matter how different we may be. After all, don't we all want to be happy? We just need each other."
"By being visible, I want to empower young people who are still in the closet. I want to include everyone."
By starting the discussion, she gets a lot of support from heterosexual Moroccans. For example, a man recently said that the discussion sparked was positive for Amsterdam and diversity within the Moroccan community. She can imagine that not everyone's judgement is positive yet. "We are on our way. The fact that people are talking to each other is an important start. Slowly we are moving forward." She sees it as pure profit. She beams.
Full of confidence, the tough Souad looks to the future. "Emancipation is advancing at a rapid pace. Who would have thought twenty years ago that a Moroccan boat would sail along?" She does hope that more LGBT Dutch people of Moroccan descent will stand up and set an example. In any case, she will be unmissable with her appearance and message. "It will be a celebration of openness. Because being lesbian and being Moroccan go together just fine." On parting, she laughingly remarks: "If Morocco gets a COC, I can die in peace." She will make the Pride a beautiful celebration with her wife and friends. Souad, a policewoman at heart, cannot wait for Pride to begin.
Pride Ambassador since 2017
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