A Heartfelt Plea from Amsterdam-West
For seven years, Peter van der Kraan, a 76-year-old resident of Amsterdam-West, has looked forward to his monthly meeting. It wasn't just a social call; it was a lifeline. These gatherings, organized by welfare organization Combiwel under the 'Roze Loper' (Pink Carpet) initiative, provided a rare and precious safe space for LGBTQ+ seniors to connect, share their stories, and simply be themselves without fear or judgment. But now, that lifeline is being cut.
In a heartfelt letter, Peter raises the alarm: due to municipal budget cuts, Combiwel is pulling the plug on the Roze Loper program. For him and many others, this decision isn't just an administrative change—it's the loss of a second family and a return to the loneliness that many older LGBTQ+ people fight against every day.
More Than Just Coffee: A 'Warm Bath' in a Cold World
Peter describes the meetings as a "warm bath"—a place of unconditional acceptance for a generation that grew up in a world that was anything but. "Many of us have a history of rejection, of having to hide who we are," he explains. "At these meetings, we can talk about our lives, our loves, and our losses with people who understand. We don't have to explain ourselves."
These spaces are critical. While mainstream senior centers exist, they often aren't perceived as safe. Many LGBTQ+ elders fear they will face the same prejudice they fought against their entire lives, forcing them back into the closet in their golden years. The Roze Loper meetings offered an alternative: a place built on shared experience and mutual respect, where vulnerability was a strength, not a weakness.
The Cold Reality of Budget Cuts
The decision to end the program stems from financial pressures on Combiwel, which in turn points to budget reallocations by the municipality of Amsterdam. While the city champions diversity and inclusion in its policies, this move strikes a devastating blow to one of its most vulnerable communities. It raises a painful question: when budgets get tight, are LGBTQ+ seniors the first to be forgotten?
The cancellation leaves a void that will be difficult to fill. These aren't just social clubs; they are preventative healthcare, combating the severe mental and physical health risks associated with loneliness and social isolation in old age. For a community that often has weaker family support networks, these peer groups are not a luxury, but a necessity.
A Call for Solidarity
Peter's story is a powerful reminder of the ongoing struggles faced by our community's elders. They are the pioneers who fought for the rights many of us now take for granted, yet they are once again being asked to fight, this time for their right to a safe and dignified old age.
"We have been through so much," Peter writes. "Why is this being taken away from us now?" His question is not just for the policymakers at the City of Amsterdam or the administrators at Combiwel. It's a call to our entire community to stand in solidarity with our elders and demand that their needs are not swept aside.
This article is based on an opinion piece by Peter van der Kraan, originally published in Het Parool. You can find the original letter here.
