Study associations at TU Delft celebrate Purple Friday

The Netherlands has celebrated Purple Friday every second Friday in December since 2010. People can show their solidarity with the LGBTQIA+ community on Purple Friday by wearing something purple. TU Delft has taken part in Purple Friday since 2019.

This is not a given, as a survey in NOS Stories (in Dutch) shows. Secondary schools throughout the Netherlands see that Purple Friday can give rise to problems. The day can lead to disruptions and opposition. Posters have been ripped from walls and were replaced with posters calling on pupils to dress in black instead of purple.

None of this was experienced at TU Delft. Various study associations organised activities for Purple Friday to raise the visibility and the acceptance of the LGBTQIA+ community. Students at the Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment could go to Outsite’s Pimp Yourself Purple Pitstop to be dressed entirely in purple with purple clothes, nail polish and home-made bracelets. They could either keep or return the clothes.

Drag queen bingo

Community officer Cécile Calis, who ran the Pitstop with Outsite volunteer Ilgaz (see opening picture), was shocked by the news about the resistance at secondary schools. She has not seen anything of it at the Faculty. “The Pitstop is a relaxed way to get together. The people here are cheerful and interested,” Cécile explained.

At the ID study association (at the Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering) there were prizes – all purple – to be won at a ‘gay old bingo’. After the first winner of the first round of marking numbers leaves the stage, the host, a fabulous drag queen, stole the show.

In the central hall at Mechanical Engineering, board members Ymke (Leeghwater), Tom (Froude) and Melle (Variscopic) stood at a table with purple cupcakes. The three study associations held a lunch presentation along with the internal Diversity Office. They also polished nails and asked students and staff members – in return for a cupcake – what inclusiveness means to them. ‘Acceptance’, ‘respect’ and ‘being able to be yourself’ were the most frequent answers. “We want to make it clear that everyone is welcome,” said Ymke.

White and purple suits

Close to the entrance to the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science (EEMCS) was a group dressed in white overalls representing the Lijst Bèta Student Council. In honour of Purple Friday, students could spray the logo of the party in purple paint on the white overalls.

You could also not miss Purple Friday at EEMCS as there were purple decorations everywhere – purple Christmas tree garlands, balloons and a ‘Purple Manifesto’ graced the wall. The Manifesto listed five main steps to promote LGBTQIA+ inclusion policies in education and the academic world.

Riëlle, D&I and Mentorship Coordinator of the Electrical Engineering bachelor, had been polishing nails at a long table since 09:00. It was busier than expected and she was pleasantly surprised by the turnout and the reactions of students and staff. She explained that the event had been promoted and given much attention, including in the Faculty’s newsletter.

Dean Lucas van Vliet had stressed the importance of inclusiveness at the Faculty in the newsletter. In doing so, he pointed to a recent incident in which a staff member had received a discriminating message at their office. ‘This goes against the core values of our Faculty. I strongly condemn this incident’ Van Vliet wrote in his message.

Poffertjes

S.V.N.B. Hooke, S.V. Life, Technologisch Gezelschap and the Vereniging voor Technische PhysicaOp de Faculty Applied Sciences joined together at the Faculty of Applied Sciences. Inside, Outsite gave a lunch presentation, while free poffertjes (mini sweet pancakes) were handed out outside.

The atmosphere was cheerful. “Don’t forget the sprinkles,” said the poffertjes baker nodding at two buses with brightly coloured decorations. He said that it was pleasantly busy. By about 13:30 he had provided poffertjes to about 300 hungry staff members and students. “Though there are probably a few who have had two portions.”

Food was also important at the Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences. Students could get a free pink cookie in the board room of the Mijnbouwkundige Vereniging. “They’re actually all gone now,” said a Board Member. “It was a great success.”