Putin and the Mayor
In 2013 Putin visited the Netherlands and Amsterdam to celebrate 400 years of relations. It was Peter the Great that came to Amsterdam to see why the Republic was so successful and looking at the canal district he came up with the idea of St. Petersburg. Yes, the Dutch love to inspire the world lol.
At the same time Putin also introduced the anti-gay propaganda laws. Where we now believe that one is born this ways, Putin introduced an idea we abandoned in the 70’s. But then again, for political reasons. To get the popular vote, not a new idea. That happened already in the 17th Century in the Dutch Republic and has been copied now frequently by populist. Like if gays are a new thing and transgender never existed before. Please.
A minority such as ours is destined to be used for political reasons if we don’t fight it.
Anyway, my friend Dick called that he and his wife Eve were going to protest against the visit of Putin. Dear reader, at the time your tour guide was not so much an activist but more trying to enjoy and live his life. I had not even read about the protest, my best hetero friend was more activistic than me.
Anyway we protested across the water from where the banquet took place. Making as much noise as possible as to disturb Putins fun. Boy, did we have fun doing it. We are so good at combining a protest with some fun.
Inside Putin shook the hand of the vice mayor. The mayor had excused himself as he had other important business. But our mayor Eberhard van der Laan just didn’t feel like sitting up nice and being a poodle. So he sent his lesbian vice mayor. Do you think Putin knew? We had a good laugh when we learned about this. It made me love this mayor of ours even more, who sadly has passed away now.
On Museum plein behind the Rijksmuseum the Mayor now spoke at a big LGBT demonstration. Wearing the rainbow necklace that his predecessor Patijn had worn at the opening of the GAY Games in 1998. Don’t you love these details. I do, that’s history for me.
Anyway ,while my friend and me were walking the grass, watching the Bolshoi Ballet. I saw the mayor coming our way and I took my chance. I thanked him for standing up for the community. Not just words but action.
He looked at the two of us with his intense look while holding my hands. But I do it for you he said.
We had a good laugh my hetero friend and myself, the mayor thinking we were boyfriends. My friend is the most hetero you can find and has a gorgeous wife and 4 kids. And he supports and encourages me where ever he can. He is my biggest fan.
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