we.
are.
proud.
Leiden Pride first began in the early 2010’s as the “Leidsche Ganymedes Borrel”. It took its name from the Greek Myth of Ganymedes, a young man so beautiful that even Zeus fell in love with him. In addition to this, it was decided that the abbreviation of the name was to be read as “LGB”. As a non-profit foundation, LGB was primarily a place where LGBTQI+ individuals within Leiden University could meet, socialise, and discuss things that were relevant to them. In 2014, we changed our name to “Leiden University Pride”, partially to strengthen our relationship to the University, but definitely to become more inclusive — the missing T from the “LGB” acronym was perceived as dismissive of Leiden University’s trans community.
As Leiden University Pride (LU Pride), we were engaged in community building, offering safe(r) social spaces to the public, as well as engaging with researchers and academic topics that fell within the LGBTQI+ realm. Through lecture series on diversity, law, religion, gender and through regular meet-ups and special symposiums, LU Pride served its community with Pride. We gratefully acknowledge our sponsor, Gaycafé De Roze Beurs in Leiden (Oude Singel 128), and the owner, Michel, who helped support us throughout the years!
In 2019, we noticed a clear need for change. With the expansion of LU Pride’s activities to Leiden University’s campus in The Hague, a consistent offering of a variety of well-attended events (from lectures to karaoke nights and parties) and collaborations with other Pride organizations, we found our foundation hosting people from all over: not only Leiden and The Hague, but also Rotterdam, Amsterdam, and other surrounding cities; we were inundated with messages asking whether people not affiliated with Leiden University could join our events. Members of the community beyond Leiden University were hesitant to join the events, thinking it was only meant for students (or even students who studied at Leiden University, specifically).
Our community knows very well, there is power in a name and how you use your words. And so the decision was made to simplify the name of our foundation to “Leiden Pride”. We still catered to the same community we catered to before. Everyone was welcome. Leiden University Pride was a foundation which people felt the need to ask permission to attend. Leiden Pride has no such prerequisites. And this is what it was all about.
In 2021, Leiden Pride helped bring Pride to Leiden, for the first time in 40 years. Not as a party, but as a protest, as it is supposed to be. There was a march, chants, and discussions, with queer people to the front, and speeches about ableism and racism in the queer community. Afterwards, we danced.
In 2022, it became difficult to establish continuity. We failed at providing our community with regular events and a stable place to meet and call home. Throughout 2021 and 2022, we saw great enthusiasm from volunteers, but not enough willingness to commit and put in the hard work that it takes to nurture a space like ours. Sadly, the board had to disband the organisation.
“Revolution is not a one time event” (Audre Lorde). If you are interested in joining a queer organisation, give it the time and dedication it needs to flourish, instead of giving in to the superficial satisfaction of consumerism. Stay, ground yourself, and grow with those around you, centering education, honesty and responsibility.
Leiden Pride is committed to creating queer spaces for everyone, free of intimidation, harassment, and discrimination. Our anti-harassment and discrimination policy can be found here.
Leiden Pride is committed to your health, safety, and well-being. Our goal to create queer spaces for everyone includes providing you with a safe space, free of health and safety hazards. Our health and safety hazard policy can be found here.
Looking to sponsor our organisation? Please contact us through our contact form and we will get in touch!
We gratefully acknowledge our sponsor, Gaycafé De Roze Beurs in Leiden (Oude Singel 128).
We as Leiden Pride have the obligation to publish certain information about our foundation online, you can find all the relevant information on the following pages:

Marty Colombo
Chair — 2021 - 2022 — They / Them
Renzo Rozenbroek
Treasurer — 2019 - 2022 — He / Him / They / ThemI was recently introduced to the queer community, and realised its value and potential. Here, everybody has a safe space to be themselves.

Anna Vink
Communications & Marketing — 2018 - 2022 - She / Her / They / ThemI joined LP because I love the enthusiasm and love in our community. I want everybody to feel welcome — however you identify.

Jonas Carinhas
Chair — 2018 - 2021 — He / Him / They / ThemI joined Leiden Pride because I believe all individuals have the right to exist and thrive in safe, inclusive social spaces.

Tiaan Westenberg
2017–2019 — He / HimTiaan was the vice-chair of Leiden University Pride (pre-cursor of Leiden Pride).

Charlotte Welch
Events — She / HerI want to make new friends, find people from my community, and hope to help people feel accepted and safe in this community.

Esmée van der Lem
Events — She / HerI believe every gender and sexual identity should be treated equally, both inside and out of the community. Feel welcome!

Aiden Noah Correia
2019–2020 — They / Them / He / HimI find it very important that everybody has a community to feel at ease in. LP is a great opportunity to help create that.

Joey Tol
2019–2020 — They / ThemI joined because of the opportunity to meet great people within the community.

Oriol Vallverdú
2019 — He / HimOriol was a part of our Communications & Marketing team.

Julia Dąbrowska
2019 — She / HerJulia was a part of our Communications & Marketing team.

Andreia Mirabela Neștian
Secretary — 2020 - 2021 — She / HerI joined Leiden Pride because I believe in the power of true love. Love your family, love your friends and respect all those around you!

Diogo Caldeira Pires
Vice-chair — 2020 - 2021 — He / HimI joined to make a difference in the LGBTQI+ community I live and work in. I want to have a positive influence, and bring us all together.

Kyra Florinde Alberts
Communications & Marketing — 2021 — She / HerLP is a place to blossom and connect. I joined to help spread the message of inclusivity, equality and love that this community entails.

Anna Kallos
Communications & Marketing — 2021 — She / HerI joined because I believe in equality, love, and acceptance. I also want to meet the open-minded and fun people of our community!

Angel Perazzetta
Blog — 2021 — He / HimI want to play my part in the wonderful fact that, no matter where you are, a supportive, friendly queer community is there to welcome you.

Carola van der Drift
Book Club — 2018 - 2022 — She / HerI joined LP because community is so very important! I think literature is a beautiful medium to create understanding and share experiences.

Kateřina Hrabánková
Events — 2021 — She / Her
Lara Persin
Blog — 2021 — She / Her / They / ThemI joined LP to help create a safe space for anyone who might need it and to help spread as much love and respect as possible.

Nelli Naukkarinen
Events — 2021 — She / HerI joined Leiden Pride as I wanted to work on making Leiden University feel like a safe and welcoming community for all LGBTQIA+ people.

Elias Tissandier
Board trainee — 2021 — He / Him / They / ThemI joined Leiden Pride because I believe in the importance of community as a way to spread awareness, love and support.

Wisse Cammeraat
Team member — 2021 — He / HimA place for free expression and unbounded enjoyment of who you are and what you feel, that's what I hope to help build through Leiden Pride.

Kirsten de Mare
2016–2019 — She / HerKirsten was the chair, vice chair and translator of Leiden University Pride (pre-cursor of Leiden Pride).