The invisible crisis: homelessness among queer youth in The Hague

In the context of Human Rights Day - annually on December 10 - we spoke with Jean-Bernard Maweja, the founder of Queer Mind Foundation. Jean-Bernard found inspiration in his own life story. As a Congolese immigrant, who only dared to come out in The Netherlands, he experienced isolation and the lack of a safe space: a shelter and a living room. "What I needed then, I now create myself: a living room for queer youth in The Hague." 

Queer youth are not quick to seek out existing shelters because they encounter the same [homophobia] there that they run away from.

Text and photography by Sacha Celine Verheij

The Queer Mind Foundation, founded in 2021, tackles the social and cultural obstacles that queer youth in The Hague face. More than 2,000 queer youth are homeless, more than half of queer youth do not dare to walk hand in hand on the street and 70% LGBTQIA+ experience physical or verbal violence.

“Queer youth are not quick to seek out existing shelters, because they encounter the same [homophobia] there that they run away from,” says Jean-Bernard. This makes it difficult to get hard numbers on homelessness among the queer community, because they disappear under the radar.

The fact that such a young person ends up on the streets because of being queer, that says enough. It is not by choice that someone becomes homeless.

A living room where you can be yourself

“The fact that such a young person ends up on the streets because of being queer, that says enough. It is not by choice that someone becomes homeless,” says Jean-Bernard with a dejected face. The Queer Mind Foundation, in collaboration with SHOP-The Hague and expertise from the shelter “Le-Refuge”-Belgium, has the project. "Le Refuge The Hague". This consists of the following: “Le Refuge – Shelter" and “Le Refuge – Living room".

Le Refuge – Shelter offers temporary shelter for queer young people. “The three beds were filled immediately, we now have a waiting list of 13. That shows that there is a considerable demand.”

This project functions as a link between queer young people, regular shelter and care. “We claim the right to housing by temporarily offering a place to prevent homelessness and at the same time guiding them to something new. The flow is what we try to arrange.”

It is great to see the queer youth blossom, because they can be themselves here. In the living room, we eat together, play games and organize movie nights.

In addition to a shelter, Queer Mind Foundation is also working on a drop-in center: “Le Refuge – Huiskamer". The house offers a safe place where queer youth, peers and experts by experience can meet each other.

“It is great to see the queer youth blossom, because they can be themselves here. In the living room, we eat together, play games and organize movie nights. Those who have homework can work on the computer here. There are also social workers who they can turn to for a listening ear.”

From rainbow paths to rainbow benches: the visibility of the queer community

Jean-Bernard sees The Hague as a city that should contribute to human rights not only symbolically, but also practically. “The right to be yourself touches the core of human rights,” he states. With his foundation, he also wants to initiate conversations with residents and organizations throughout The Hague, thereby spreading awareness and understanding. He wants to create a city where queer youth are accepted, included and supported.

Placing the rainbow in the public space also shows what is happening in the city. It provides information about how people in the city view it. For example, the rainbow cycle path caused a lot of commotion. Then we know that we still have a lot to do.

“Did you see that rainbow bike path on the Grote Marktstraat? That is partly due to our lobby. If you are the city of peace and justice, you want to guarantee acceptance and safety for everyone. Queer people exist, so show that!” From rainbow paths to rainbow benches: Stichting Queer Mind increases the visibility of the queer community.

Jean-Bernard is directing politicians and the municipality to place more rainbow elements in public spaces. “Don't let acceptance remain just words,” says Jean-Bernard. Small gestures, such as wearing a rainbow pin, can make a big difference. In this way, the queer community feels seen.

"Placing the rainbow in the public space also shows what is happening in the city. It provides information about how people in the city view it. For example, the rainbow cycle path caused a lot of commotion. Then we know that we still have a lot to do," Jean-Bernard explains.

Acceptance goes beyond tolerance. It is about understanding and real connection. By organizing dialogues in the city, Stichting Queer Mind builds understanding between queer youth and the broader community. Their activities are not only aimed at the queer community, but certainly at all residents of The Hague. For example, Stichting Queer Mind organizes activities such as Gay Cinema, Queetchen or theater workshops, in addition to (creative) dialogue sessions.

If we are still talking about being queer sensitive within organizations and healthcare institutions today, we are far from home. With our awareness campaigns, we hope to change this.

Queer sensitivity and structural anchoring

When I ask Jean-Bernard about his view of the Netherlands and queer acceptance, he gives a gloomy but combative impression. “If we are still talking about being queer sensitive within organizations and healthcare institutions today, we are far from home. With our awareness campaigns, we hope to change this.” Ultimately, Jean-Bernard hopes to structurally anchor shelter for queer youth in The Hague.

The homelessness, aggression and emotional isolation that queer youth face do injustice to their right to be human. “Support us,” Jean-Bernard finally calls out. Whether it concerns donations, expertise or sharing their mission, every contribution helps to create an inclusive and safe future for queer youth.

Feeling at home turns out to be anything but self-evident. Take homophobia and homelessness seriously, everyone deserves to be able to be themselves. Let us build together a The Hague where everyone, regardless of their identity, can feel at home.