mei 19, 2025
Community International

Dutch Democracy on Mute: When Silence Hurts Trans Rights

Door Iker Del Rio / april 17, 2025

It happened again. The Dutch House of Representatives has voted—once more—to derail the transgender rights bill, without so much as a proper debate. A motion passed on 8 April calls on the government to withdraw the proposal for the Transgenderwet, a law designed to make legal gender recognition more accessible and dignified.

Trans communities, already under pressure across the globe, watched in dismay as the Netherlands, long considered a beacon of LGBTQIA+ rights, failed to uphold the democratic process for the second time. “We’re being erased without discussion,” said Remke Verdegem of Transgender Netwerk Nederland.

Despite a firm recommendation from State Secretary Struycken against the motion, several political parties—including PVV, NSC, and CU—voted in favour. Their message was clear: the wellbeing of trans people is negotiable. And this silence, this refusal to even have the conversation, echoes the rising tide of anti-trans rhetoric seen across the US and parts of Europe.

It’s more than just parliamentary procedure. It’s about respect. The respect to be heard. To be treated as equals in the eyes of the law. To not be dismissed with a wave of a political hand.

We know visibility isn’t enough if it isn’t backed by action. As online hate skyrockets and misinformation spreads, our resilience matters more than ever

This article was written thanks to WINQ magazine, as KET.brussels is part of the European LGBTQIA* Media Association.

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