For Menne Vellinga the Homomonument is a ‘pink thread’ running through his life. He has been involved since it was first established and is now Master of Ceremonies at the annual Remembrance Day (4 May).

In the run-up to the founding of the Monument, I was a member of the Board of the new Foundation, representing the left-wing PPR party. I was also closely involved in the inauguration event in 1987, and after that I was even the Foundation´s chairman for several years.

Now, thirty years later, I pass by the Homomonument as a guide and skipper on the canal sightseeing boats. I explain the meaning of the Monument and the origin of the pink triangles to tourists from all over the world.

I also act as Master of Ceremonies on Remembrance Day, on 4 May each year. Then we remember all the victims in the LGBTI community who have lost their lives throughout the world due to oppression and persecution. My role as MC is to announce the groups who come to lay wreaths at the Monument.

I´ve been involved for quite some time now, and my sense is that we’ve become more cautious. During the Gay Games in 1998, everyone walked hand in hand, that was just normal. But since then people have started looking over their shoulder more often. It may sound strange, but I think we’ve had better times.