Text: Tammie Schoots
Photo: Remon van den Kommer
Video: Paradox Productions
Thorn de Vries (they/them and they/theirs) is now an indispensable figure in the LGBTI community. From it’s fair to say their career has taken off at lightning speed. Where this non-binary gem was handing out wristbands for a party at the Melkweg just four years ago, they have since performed on the biggest queer stages. Acting is their great passion; they recently played one of the lead roles in the filmAnne+ (internationally released on Netflix)and appeared in the television seriesSpangas: de Campus. Besides their career as a drag king and actor, they advocate for the emancipation and visibility of gender-diverse people — which is very much needed. “As a community we’ve made enormous strides, and that’s something to be proud of,” Thorn says, “but we shouldn’t assume we’re done.”
Being an ambassador for Pride Amsterdam was on Thorn’s bucket list. Four years ago they were nominated as Youth Ambassador through a jury and vote, but they weren’t selected. This time they were. Small mischievous smiles appear when Thorn leans back and takes a sip of coffee. We’re in an ordinary café, on an ordinary square, in a normal residential neighbourhood, not far from where they live.
Pride
On the ambassadorship Thorn is crystal clear: “I want to spark conversation about commercialisation and diversity within Pride.” When they speak with the LGBTI community they always hear the same question: “Is Pride still ours?” According to them, that’s not surprising. “There are many big brand names visible on the boat parade, while small organisations often can’t afford a spot.” They criticise the hordes of tourists in penis tiaras who take the front row. “They should ask themselves whether that is truly their place. The answer can be yes, but I want people to think about it. After all, it’s a day for the LGBTI community.”
Thorn stresses inclusion of all LGBTIQIA+ people because they know better than most how important Pride is. “Every year during Pride I have to cry a little. In that moment I can finally breathe.” With a twinkle in their eye they call Pride a day of love. “Instead of just being looked at, I see others and they see me. Not tolerance, but equality. During Pride I am so proud of our community.”
Drag king
The young artist started as a drag performer in Amsterdam’s nightlife. “A friend of mine is a drag queen. I once put on my brave shoes and asked if I could join.” That’s how Thorn ended up at aRuPaul’s Drag Race party at the Melkweg where they handed out wristbands for the afterparty. It wasn’t without hiccups. “I had made a sort of glitter beard; now I have a way to attach that properly but back then I didn’t. So halfway through the whole beard fell down.”
Embracing imperfection is a big part of drag for Thorn. They organise nights at club NYX where young drag kings can get a taste of the craft. Their advice to newcomers: “You just have to do it. It’s messy and it will never be perfect. That’s okay. It’s never going to be perfect. The point of drag is to have fun.”
Thorn describes their experience on stage as liberating. “When I look out at the audience, I feelon top of the world. I’m an introvert, but on stage I can discover another side of myself.” Even though the drag king has graced major queer stages like the Homomonument and the Pride main stage, self-doubt is not unfamiliar. “Someone recently asked why I’m not onDrag Race Holland, but I’m just not good enough for that.”
Acting
The critical inner voice of the non-binary star also pops up in their acting. “On the first day of filming the youth series Spangas: de Campus, where I play the non-binary student Lesley, I thought: don’t mess this up.” Many scenes later, Thorn can finally look back with satisfaction: “By now I think I did well.” Thorn’s acting has had immense significance for the LGBTI community. “The non-binary character Lesley finally shows a normal representation of gender-diverse people, without constantly making identity the focus. Just a student like the others, living a life. That shows that we are simply people too.”
Thorn also recently appeared in the feature film Anne+, which offers a glimpse into Amsterdam queer life. Their favourite moment comes from the notorious sex scene. “My non-binary character Lou takes their shirt off, their sex partner then looks at the scars under their chest. The only thing Lou says is: beautiful, right?” Thorn pauses. “Gives me goosebumps! For me it’s very important that transgender bodies are seen as beautiful and sexy. But even more important is that gender-diverse people finally see themselves reflected.”
Still, they sigh for a moment. “I would so love to play other roles too. A bartender can also simply be non-binary. Many productions are enthusiastic but often don’t dare to take the step.”
Role model
The moment Thorn hears the word role model, they stiffen. “I cringe… I find it very sweet but it places a huge responsibility on me.” When I tell the 17-year-old student Doris, who is doing their graduation project about non-binary words likejoyfriend, a term Thorn and their friend introduced, Thorn softens. “For me that’s real fuel: this is what I do it for. I also get a lot of negative reactions, often very personal. That I’m ruining the world, that sort of thing. Doris’s reaction makes it all worthwhile.”
Thorn hopes equality doesn’t lag behind now that transgender and non-binary people are more visible than ever. “When I’m on stage everyone always thinks it’s fantastic that I don’t look like a man or a woman. But in the supermarket it suddenly becomes strange and confusing.” To all cis people who snap their fingers and cheer during a performance they wants to ask: “Besides consuming queer culture, what are you doing to ensure everyone can be who they want to be?”
Pride ambassador since 2022
