Watch the video here or read her story.
Introduce yourself…
My name is Alejandra. I am a transgender woman from Mexico who has been living in the Netherlands since 2015. I am a writer, grassroots activist and proud founder of Papaya Kuir, a collective for Latinx migrants and refugees with a queer identity living in the Netherlands.
What does Pride mean to you?
Pride to me is a celebration of life, a celebration of my uniqueness. A moment to stand and be truly proud of who I am and the communities that I am a part of. I grew up in a very Catholic, very conservative region of Mexico where anything that deviates from being cis or straight is considered wrong. For a long time, I believed that there was something wrong with me. Something that needed to be hidden or something that I needed to be ashamed of.
“I am worthy just the way I am. I will be loved, I will have many adventures, and I deserve to be loved just the way I am.”
Alejandra
What would you like to say to that younger self?
If I had the chance to meet my younger self, I would tell her, me, that I am worthy just the way I am. That I will be loved, that I will have many adventures. And that I deserve to be loved just the way I am. And that any negative things or moments that come my way will pass. And that I will be happy in the end.
Where did your activism begin?
My activism actually started here in the Netherlands, not in Mexico. Not in the US where I lived before. And it started out of necessity. When I first came to the Netherlands and lived in the asylum centers, I discovered that transgender refugees could not get access to hormones during the asylum procedure. Together with my dear friend Willemijn van Kempen, friend and mentor, and TNN and COC, we found a way to convince the government that trans refugees should have access to hormones during the asylum procedure. This was a big step, because before that was not possible. So my activism was born, or started out of the need to improve things, to fix things. To make things happen where they did not exist before.
Where do you feel most at home?
Especially when I’m with my friends, with other trans women. Because when we’re together, we don’t have to conform to the expectations of a cis society. We can laugh, we can scream, we can joke, we can dress the way we want. And when we’re in the T-Huis, the trans house in Amsterdam, we cook together. So when we eat together and then we joke about each other and comment on nails or make-up. Things that can seem very superficial, but that unite us in a way and make us feel really at home. So I think that’s when and where I feel most at home.
Why is Pride important?
I think Pride is important because it’s a way to show others, but also the new generations, that they’re not alone. I think if I was little, if I could have met other queer people and known that I wasn’t the only one, it would have been a great example of life and joy for me.
I came to the Netherlands as a refugee. And I came because I wanted to experience life without the limitations of a macho society. So also as a refugee, Pride is important because it’s the moment that I can connect with other people with similar stories.
And for the queer community?
I think the greatest need in this community is understanding, compassion, solidarity. Each of us, or each of our communities, fights our own battles. But I think it would be good if we understood each other better and fought for the causes of others, because that ultimately helps us too.
Why is Pride The Hague important?
I think Pride The Hague is important. First of all, because I see that this great city needs a celebration for everyone on the queer spectrum. A celebration that unites different people, different organisations. A celebration that shows the outside world of cis hetero people that we exist and that we are happy to be here and are making the best of life. Personally I think it is important, because I just moved to The Hague it is a way for me to connect with friends and make new friends and meet new people. So in the bigger picture it is necessary because representation matters. Personally I think it is important for me because it allows me to stay connected to my community.
Why should people participate in Pride The Hague?
I think this is a really good opportunity to meet friends, to make new friends. A really good opportunity to be in a safe space and in a safe environment. And this is also our chance to show the rest of the city that we come together. And to see us laughing and being happy and shouting and having fun and enjoying life. I think Pride can be both a protest and a celebration. I think this Pride edition in The Hague will be the perfect opportunity to show the people in the government, which is in The Hague, that we are here, and that we will resist any prejudice. But also to show them that while we are fighting for our rights, that we are enjoying life and that we are enjoying loving, being together, coming together and being part of a community with our chosen family, and sharing stories together.
Information about T-Huis Amsterdam can be found here.
Information about Papaya Kuir can be found here.
Alejandra has also written a book ‘The truth will free me’, which you can order here.
In the context of Pride The Hague 2024, stories are shared by people from the queer community of The Hague.
If you want to share your own story, click here for more information.
