Dear all,
May I introduce myself as the new chairperson of the board of TranScreen!
My name is Willemijn van Kempen, pronouns she and her or a gender neutral designation.
I live together with my love, Sibylle. Being born in 1961 in Limburg means that I wear a long trans history in me. It is wonderful that there is so much more space for us as trans persons, especially since the last 15 years. It is hugely important, also for my own growth.
Since 2011, I have been intensely involved in the growth of our trans and broader LGBTIQ+ community many different tasks and projects. important project for example was my initiative to hold the state accountable for human rights violating conditions in the former gender registration law. This led to an apology by the State at the end of 2021 and a compensation of 5,000 euros for about 2000 people. We are working with the CuraTim foundation to create one a documentary and an investigation into the consequences of the former law for trans and intersex people. Another long-term project was the study “Transcript from the Margins” about the assessment of Latin American and Caribbean trans people in the asylum procedure. With the Transgender Network, I use apply this knowledge to represent interests surrounding asylum procedures.
In 2011, I dove into the TranScreen film festival from start to finish for the first time and was immediately in love. I immersed myself in a large amount of images, stories and people from our community. In 2013 I worked intensively with TranScreen on a large public exhibition in a library and I created and executed a three day performance.
TranScreen invites everyone to our events, from the many sections of our community, and the allies that stand with us. Come and, take in the current motion pictures, stories, conversations and encounters. Let’s make TranScreen I grow further and celebrate it as the sanctuary for our identities, expressions and stories.
Come to the festival and immerse yourself, feel connected, gain impressions, watch and experience the many ways in which trans people live, have fun, grow and survive in this world