Podcastopname Rise of the Rainbow

Episode: Fighting

In this episode, we delve deeper into the theme of Freedom. Over the years, the LGBTQIA+ community has gained significant freedoms, but those freedoms are not guaranteed. They can come under pressure again. What does freedom really mean? When are you truly free? Is it an inner feeling or a societal reality? We explore these questions from various perspectives.

Dottie Punt is a young trans woman who creates art through words. From her personal story, she shares what freedom means to her. What did it feel like to truly be herself for the first time? What gave her that sense of liberation, and how does she translate that into her work?

Wielie Elhorst is an LGBTQIA+ pastor in Amsterdam who has been fighting for the emancipation of queer individuals within faith communities for many years. Through initiatives like the ‘pink church services,’ he gained national recognition as the ‘pink pastor.’ He speaks about spiritual freedom and the struggle to find space within religious circles.
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Episode: Celebrating

In this episode, the theme is Celebration. Today, the LGBTQIA+ community plays a visible and active role in nightlife, both locally and nationally. But has it always been this way? What exactly are we celebrating, and why is celebration important for a community?

Mark Bergsma is a historian specializing in queer and women's history. As co-owner of Van Gisteren—a firm for public history projects—he brings forgotten stories to light. Mark outlines how the LGBTQIA+ community in the past fought for space to celebrate, and what that tells us about identity and visibility.

Tania Barkhuis has long been a familiar face within the community. As former director of COC Amsterdam and co-founder of Transgender Network Netherlands in 2006, she reflects on how the nature of celebration has evolved over the years. She shares personal insights about her transition, her role models, and how they influenced her own joyful moments of recognition.