Amsterdam is testing a "nightlife safe space" for the LGBTQ+ community
A hair salon is being used as a place for LGBTQ+ members to get ready before a night out in the city
A new scheme is trialling a safe space location for the LGBTQ+ community partying in Amsterdam.
The pilot project named Dress & Dance has transformed a hair salon into a safe area for LGBTQ+ members to get ready for a night out.
Launched on January 14, the space, Who Cares was open from 9:30PM till the early hours of the morning with make-up and styling advice from experts.
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Free taxi rides were also available so people “don’t have to walk down the street in your party outfit.”
The project was created by students from InHolland University it is coordinated by Maud Gussenhoven, manager of central Reguliersdwarsstraat street.
Gussenhoven told Reuters: "It's sad that this is necessary but there have been instances that have made people feel unsafe."
Reuters also spoke with LGBTQ+ Dress & Dance member Eli Verboket who said that people “follow” them.
They explained: "Some people who look at me can't contain their thoughts."
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A 2018 report by the Dutch government read that: “Most Dutch people accept homosexuality and gender diversity. Nevertheless, LGBTI persons in the Netherlands do still experience discrimination, harassment, intimidation and violence, or feel unsafe. All of these are unacceptable, and the government is determined to prevent and tackle them.”
Find out more about Dress & Dance here.
[Via: Reuters]
Becky Buckle is Mixmag's Video and Editorial Assistant, follow her on Twitter