Photo: Philippe Vogelenzang
Interview: Paul Hofman
Dutch model, columnist and DJ. She is a trans woman. De Hingh became known through the documentary Valentijn, which followed her transition from male to female over nine years. She grew up in Lelystad and now lives in Amsterdam, where she studies literature and French at the University of Amsterdam. After her gender-affirming surgery in 2007 she worked as a model for brands including Martin Margiela and Love Magazine. In addition to studying literature, French and philosophy she writes for Spunk.
Interview Valentijn
“It’s about the message: be yourself!”
Valentijn De Hingh became known through the documentary of the same name, which followed her transition from male to female over nine years. From the age of seventeen she worked as a model for numerous international fashion brands. But Valentijn is more than a model: she is also a DJ and a writer. This year the Netherlands’ best-known trans woman is also our ambassador for EuroPride. “I’m super proud of that.”
Valentijn was born and raised in Lelystad. “I discovered early on that I was different. People sometimes say that transgender people are trapped in the wrong body. Well, that absolutely doesn’t apply to me.” Was she bullied as a teenager? “As a transgender person I was always fairly open in class. No, I wasn’t really bullied. I did experience boys coming up to me and making unpleasant remarks. They would ask what was wrong with me.” That affected Valentijn deeply. She points out that education needs proper information programmes. That topics such as homosexuality and being transgender should be explicitly covered. Right now these are often underexposed subjects. The government is not addressing this. That’s a real missed opportunity. There’s still a lot to be gained here.”
Who could have imagined she would become the face of EuroPride in 2016? “EuroPride is literally a celebration for everyone. Whether you are straight, gay, lesbian, bi or transgender, we share this planet.” Yet Valentijn adds a critical note: “I think it’s important that we within the LGBT community don’t isolate ourselves into small groups. Together you are much stronger. That way you can fight for your rights more effectively. Everyone needs to understand that. To be honest, I feel transgender people have played a less prominent role in the LGBT debate for a long time. We’ve really only started gaining momentum in the past year and a half, while the gay rights movement has been active for over 40 years.”
In terms of visibility, transgender people have come a long way. Also in media attention. Think of Caitlyn Jenner’s story or Loiza from Holland’s Next Top Model. Still, in her view there is much more to be achieved within the LGBT community. Am I a role model? She thinks for a moment and then hesitantly says: “When I was young there were no role models for me. Maybe I do serve as an example for others. But again: every transgender person has their own story.”
Looking back: “Did you know that trans women and drag performers were at the forefront of the Stonewall riots in New York in 1969? We linked arms to resist the humiliations inflicted by the police on LGBT people at the time.” Now the LGBT community is more diffuse and that saddens me. What does EuroPride mean to me? “It’s much more than a party. It’s about the message: be yourself. And about being able to seek out your own story. I make people aware that we as transgender people matter. And that above all we must show the world: you don’t decide how we should be and live. From I’ve had enough of those stereotypes. It’s terrible that people are so locked into patterns. That pigeonholing is so outdated.” The EuroPride theme ‘Join our Freedom’ suits her perfectly.
Pride Ambassador since 2016
