Progress Flag Raised in Nunspeet for Coming Out Day - VRMG Coverage
NUNSPEET – A crowd gathered at NunspeetS municipal building today, October 11th, to witness the raising of the Progress flag in recognition of World Coming Out Day. The event, covered by VRMG, de omroep voor de Noord-West Veluwe, featured speeches from Sander Kouwenberg, chairman of True Colors Nunspeet, and Astrid Oosenbrug, former Member of Parliament for the PvdA and past chair of COC nederland.
World Coming Out Day, established in 2009, aims to increase social acceptance of LGBTQ+ individuals. This year’s flag raising underscores the ongoing need for visibility and support within the Nunspeet community, where members of the LGBTQ+ community report facing intolerance and even hostility. The event highlights VRMG’s commitment to covering local issues impacting all residents of the Noord-West Veluwe region and providing a platform for diverse voices.
Kouwenberg emphasized the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in the area, stating, “For many people in our village, in our municipality, the hard reality is: you are yourself and that is not accepted. It is indeed not even tolerated.” He cited both personal experiences and online harassment as contributing factors to a feeling of insecurity within the community, explaining, “That is why it is vital that this flag is hoisted.”
Oosenbrug, representing COC Nederland, echoed the sentiment, stating, “I think that change must take place from within,” and stressed the importance of being present in communities like Nunspeet to foster that change.She urged attendees to ”Celebrate love, celebrate yourself and also take good care of yourself,” and to maintain solidarity within the LGBTQ+ community.
VRMG captured the full speeches from Kouwenberg and Oosenbrug, which are available for viewing [link to video would be inserted here].
Those with tips or comments for VRMG can contact the Nunspeet news desk at 0341-258133 or email redactie@vrmg.nl.The Nijkerk desk can be reached at 0341-798298.
