Why it is still necessary to celebrate equality with Pride Amsterdam
From July 30 to August 7 we celebrate with Pride Amsterdam that everyone can be who they are and that everyone can love whoever wants to love them. Unfortunately, there are still many countries where queers don’t have that same freedom, let alone celebrate it.
Can’t be overtly strange
There are still many countries in the world where people from the LGBTQIA+ community cannot and should not be themselves. In order to offer artists from those countries a stage to celebrate queerness, KPN is bringing DJs from these LGBTQIA+-unfriendly countries to the Netherlands. ‘Will’, the telecommunications network reasons, ‘nothing can dampen pride’. The queer DJs tomato, ICHE and shamsa come from Jordan, Kenya and Poland – countries where LGBTQIA+ people are discriminated against, even persecuted. Thanks to KPN we can perform during Pride Amsterdam.
Canal Pride
Not only will the DJs celebrate queerness, KPN also believes it is important to do so. During the Canal Parade, dozens of decked-out boats sail through the canals of Amsterdam to celebrate freedom and love, including the van. With their Loud & Proud theme, the company wants to convey that everyone can be themselves and that Pride will never be silenced. That is why KPN has joined forces with DJ Mag, a platform for electronic music. Because the performances of DJ ICHE (Kenya), DJ Avtomat (Poland) and DJ Shamsa (Jordan) on their boat, the whole world should be able to see it! DJ Mag makes this possible and will stream the performances live.
DJ ICHE on Pride
We are already convinced that DJ ICHE is one of the three DJs brought to the Netherlands by KPN, something the non-binary DJ considers a wonderful opportunity. “I was invited to perform during DJ Mag,” says ICHE. “It feels special to travel through other continents, and it feels special to be able to share the sounds we create at home and enjoy at home with a completely different audience abroad.”
It should be clear, ICHE is looking forward to it. Still, performing isn’t content to be most excited about. “I’m most looking forward to interacting with different queer people from around the world. I’m excited to share my music with them and to be part of the common queer joy.”
Can’t be queer in Kenya
Unfortunately, in Kenya, LGBTQIA+ people can’t be themselves, something ICHE has a lot of trouble with. “I’m not going to lie about it, it’s very difficult and isolated,” they share candidly. “I try to hold on to the happy things that do exist, to my projects and to my self-love. I take good care of myself and try to live a life accomplished by me (as far as I can achieve). This gives me a sense of security in myself.”
Kenya unfortunately still has a long way to go in accepting LGBTQIA+ people. “We do receive support from allies in our inner circles, but I can’t say we get public support from allies at the national level,” ICHE said. “The Kenyan gay community mainly exists in the downlow for security reasons, so I don’t think we expect that support either. The support we give ourselves is what keeps us going.”
It is clear that it is not yet essential that we celebrate Pride and that we fight for equal rights for everyone. Something KPN is committed to, not just during Pride.
KPN attaches great importance to diversity and inclusion
KPN is committed to the well-being of its employees. For that reason, the telecommunications company is active in the field of diversity and inclusion. After all, all employees should feel safe there. The KPN Pride team ensures that. They are committed to this not only during Pride Amsterdam, but throughout the year. It is therefore not surprising that the company won the Winq Workplace Award last year. An award intended for companies that are actively committed to a safe working atmosphere for everyone.
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