Jasper

Only if you feel the freedom to be yourself, can you truly get the max out of yourself. Role models with whom people can identify play a positive and inspiring role in that respect. Read the interview with role model Jasper de Boer below. Jasper is a member of VodafoneZiggo's rainbow network Queers Connected.  

During Pride, Vodafone wants to express the idea that you can only get the max out of yourself if you feel the freedom to be yourself. What has contributed to your freedom?

What contributed to my sense of freedom is my upbringing. My parents always gave me the freedom to do what I wanted to do and be who I wanted to be. I still benefit from that to this day. I'm not one to let others dictate to me what I can or cannot say or do. Sure, you sometimes need to take certain situations into account, and it's not always possible to be entirely yourself and carefree, but I always know very well who I really am, and I try never to pretend to be anyone other than who I am.

How do you view gender and identification and how was that for you in your younger years?

I think it's important that everyone is allowed to be who he, she, they want to be, and if that deviates from 'the norm',  then we are obliged to show respect and acceptance. Everyone has the right to be happy, and nobody has the right to judge. It's sad to still hear stories from people around me about being faced with unpleasant situations simply for being who they are. Fortunately, I myself have had very few issues relating to my sexual orientation. I grew up in a loving family in which the most important thing was to be happy. I had almost no negative experiences at school, either. Even so, it was difficult for me at first to accept my preference for men. I was afraid that people wouldn't think I was good enough because of my homosexuality. I was quite late coming out because of that, but looking back, I realise that I made a lot of ado over it completely unnecessarily.

What is your experience at Queers Connected? Do you give training/workshops, are you involved in the programmes and what was the last 'work' you did for QC?

I found out about Queers Connected six months ago and immediately joined. Since, there have been several workshops and also a wonderful social with drinks and snacks. Although I am not on the board, I volunteered to help organise VodafoneZiggo's Pride presence. I gave it my undivided attention in recent weeks, actually. I'm really pleased that VodafoneZiggo is so strongly committed to diversity and acceptance in the workplace as well as in society. I am really proud to contribute to this important cause.

What good – and bad – developments do you see surrounding the community?

Unfortunately, I see a worrying increase in violence and hate towards the LHBTQIA+ community. Although the subject is getting more and more attention, it feels as if we keep taking a step back again in terms of acceptance. The Netherlands, which once led the way, now seems to be slacking, and that's a real shame to see. On the positive side, despite the negativity we face as queer community, we're not giving up and we're continuing to fight for social acceptance and equal treatment.

What's a role model to you?

To me, a role model is someone who takes no notice of anyone else. Someone who truly dares be who he, she or they are, and who, moreover, stands up for themselves when they are wronged or treated unjustly.