While on sick leave due to knee problems, Lucie Gunsing volunteered for the Gay Games in the registration department At the same time, she was trying to get pregnant through an insemination process. After a year, she had to find replacement work because of the Poortwachter Act (Gatekeeper Act). Fortunately, she was able to turn… Lees verder I had a dream
Categorie: Stories
We cannot let this run, we have to participate!
For Lydia la Rivière-Zijdel, the highlight of Gay Games Amsterdam 1998 was when she drove her wheelchair into the Amsterdam ArenA: ‘I immediately feel the emotion again. This was a triumph of so many things at once. As for myself that we were in front with so many people with disabilities. That we got it… Lees verder We cannot let this run, we have to participate!
24 memories of when we were young
Working on this reminiscence site is so much fun because it is a great feast of recognition. For example, I enjoy the photos Marian Bakker digs up and shares from her archive every time. She followed the 1998 preparations for so many years. Her photos form a time capsule in black and white. By: Paul… Lees verder 24 memories of when we were young
I think back with nostalgia
Photographer and filmmaker Louise Verbree was approached by Marian Bakker asking if she wanted to submit photos for the exhibition Lesbian ConneXion/s, which was to be shown during Gay Games Amsterdam 1998. She was just living in Nijmegen at the time and was involved in organising exhibitions through ‘Villa Lila’ – the local pink house.… Lees verder I think back with nostalgia
Being part of that was an unforgettable experience for me
Dissonant was a large lesbian choir of about 30 women, led by conductor Anneke Veenhof, which took part in the Choir Festival during Gay Games Amsterdam 1998. The repertoire included music by KD Lang and Mathilde Santing, with as many of their own lyrics as possible. At the performance in the Concertgebouw, Josee Rothuizen was… Lees verder Being part of that was an unforgettable experience for me
I cried when it was over
Aubert van Engelen (photo middle) was not directly involved in organising Gay Games Amsterdam 1998, but he has a great story. At the time, he worked at IDTV, which organised the opening and closing ceremonies in the Arena and the parties on Dam Square. Aubert occasionally attended the creative team’s brainstorming sessions, but he also… Lees verder I cried when it was over
Harvey Fierstein on tour with Bob and Betty
The photos hang framed on the wall of singer Wilma Bakker at home. In the summer of 1998 she performed as Betty in the show ‘Bob and Betty’ during the Gay Games boat tours of Holland International. The photos show that several celebrities were there, including Harvey Fierstein. Holland International was of course interested in… Lees verder Harvey Fierstein on tour with Bob and Betty
We have raised the percentage of women considerably!
‘Each team had a yellow ball with a logo, mine has become hard but I cherish it. I was the organiser of the football for Gay Games Amsterdam 1998,’ says Riet Willems. ‘It was not always easy working together, but I carried on because I am a sportsman and football is close to my heart.… Lees verder We have raised the percentage of women considerably!
Tears at the Choir Festival
One of the four festivals of the culture programme of Gay Games Amsterdam 1998 was the choir festival in which around 100 choirs participated. Highlight was a sold-out gala on August 7 in the Concertgebouw. The gala ended with the hymn ‘The Rhythm of the Rainbow’ by Alan Belk and Daniel Cohen, which was composed… Lees verder Tears at the Choir Festival
The final skiff
‘That whole week was incredible. The weather, the atmosphere in the city, being in the majority – these are things that probably everyone says. It was unprecedented and has never come back. At the opening, a lot of people were waiting outside, but it was all so peaceful, so convivial. I have never seen Amsterdam… Lees verder The final skiff