Political Brainstorm: Ideas to support LGBTQ+ in city council

Hi everyone,

As some of you may know, I'm going to run for city council in March next year as a candidate for the Dutch Socialist Party (think Bernie Sanders). I'm currently leading the campaign to make as many connections with local professionals, volunteers and civil servants as possible, so that we can create an election program that is both social and represents the needs and ideas of the city and its people.

Of course the board (which includes me) have made LGBTQ+ a part of that. So I set out to approach local LGBTQ+ organisations and found... none. I guess we're being overshadowed by "Europe's gay capital" Amsterdam, which is only 10 miles south of where I live. I contacted Amsterdam's branch of COC, the most prominent national organisation that promotes LGBTQ+ rights, acceptance and emancipation, but so far I haven't had a reply yet. In the meantime I'd love to hear what ideas you all have, especially from the admins, mods and advisors.

So the question is: As a member of the city council of a generally progressive city of 80,000 residents, what would you do to promote LGBTQ+ rights, acceptance and emancipation?

 

Don't be, there should be (more) education about LGBT in schools.

In the Netherlands:

- Same sex marriage is legal
- You have the right to change your sex on your ID card, passport, drivers license and birth certificate if you are at least 16 years of age and either have a written statement from a recognised psychologist specialised in genderdysphoria or have been officially diagnosed with genderdysphoria. Currently it's not possible to change your sex to non-binary

The above legislations are made at a state level and thus I wouldn't be able to change much about that as a city councilor apart from lobbying at the lower and upper houses of the state government.

- LGBT is part of middle- and high school biology curricula and some elementary school curricula. It's been almost 6 six years since I graduated high school, but back then it wasn't discussed much. Certainly not non-binary genders and other sexual orientations, such as pansexuality and asexuality and the difference between romantic and sexual attraction. Good point.
- Middle- and high school students are assigned a class mentor, who acts as their councilor. I doubt many of them are familiar with LGBT issues. Some schools also have a school social worker. I don't know whether or not they are familiar with LGBT issues. I'll have to ask the principals. Again, good point.
- Dutch students don't wear uniforms
- I don't think any of the local schools have a gender neutral bathroom. Although quite a few buildings in the Netherlands don't have separate bathrooms for men and women. I think that in this day and age, it's strange that we still have separate facilities for men and women.

Thank you so much for your input. I'm sure you'll become a great teacher. The education system needs progressive thinkers like yourself