‘University can be a safe area for LGBT’

Why is it important to TrueU to have a Wear it Purple Day?

“On the one hand, you might think it is unnecessary here at TU Delft to raise awareness about LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender). On the other hand, it remains important for all students in Delft to see that being different is accepted. At university we are all adults, of course, but for students from religious backgrounds especially it is important to know that university can be a safe area.”

Is that not widely known already?

“At TU Delft we have students from all kinds of cultures and religious backgrounds, from the Dutch Bible belt for instance. I know from personal experience from a relationship with an Eastern European that homosexuality is not spoken about there. It is taboo, everything is hidden.”

Where was that?

“My ex was from Bosnia. Going there was like putting one foot back in the closet again. You are invited there as the ‘best friend’. It makes things very, very awkward. I also have experience in Ukraine. Homosexuality is not illegal there, but is not widely accepted and is therefore underground. I can imagine that for students from similar cultures Wear it Purple Day makes LGBT visible and acceptable. Western Europe itself has come a long way as well. I am from Ireland and it was a very proud moment for me when the Marriage Equality Act was passed by popular vote in 2015.”

‘It would be a nice support if everybody would wear purple’

Could you tell me more about your background?

“I am an organic chemist and worked in industry for years. I have been working at TU Delft since April 2015. I look after the NMR facilities (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) in the Reactor Institute Delft and in the faculty building in TU Delft South. That does not strike you as a gay profession, does it?” [laughs]

A gay profession?

“There are these gay stereotypes: the hairdresser, the air steward. TrueU makes students see that we are not all hairdressers or air stewards. No, we are scientists, designers or supporting staff at a university. TrueU started last year. I think it is a nice idea to get together with other LGBT employees from university. We had a Coming Out Day a while ago. It was like a mini gay pride: to be proud, to show your face. Here at the TU Delft I can be completely open about who I am.”



What will you be wearing on Friday 8 December?

“I have not decided yet. I have two purple sweaters and a purple shirt I bought for Wear it Purple Day last year.”

What should others wear?

“That is up to them. It would be a nice support if everybody would wear purple. This shows in a subtle way that you support us. You can also support us in a less subtle way by coming to café Wijnhaven that evening between 6 and 9 PM to have a purple beer with us. What do they use to turn the beer purple? As a chemist I could examine it, but I don’t think I want to know!” [laughs]

Also read (in Dutch): ‘Homoseksualiteit zichtbaar maken aan de TU’