Rainbow crossing officially open: ‘It’s a symbol of connection and acceptance’

The rainbow crossing on Institutenlaan was officially opened on Tuesday afternoon, on Coming Out Day. “We want everyone to feel welcome here, and this crossing is a way to show that”, said Ellen van Schoten in her speech on behalf of the Executive Board.

More than 40 people attended the opening ceremony on Institutenlaan. Van Schoten kicked off the celebration with a short speech in which she also announced that students can now change their pronouns in Canvas. Semiha Denktaş from the Diversity & Inclusion Office then took the microphone: “Not only does this crossing look beautiful, it’s also a symbol of connection and acceptance in our community.”

Proud

Van Schoten and Denktaş then stretched a large golden ribbon across the middle of the crossing. Former student and initiator of the rainbow crossing project Marit de Ridder then cut the ribbon, an act that was met with cheers and applause. The crossing was officially open.

“I’m really proud that it’s finally here”, Ridder said afterwards. She came up with the idea a year and a half ago. “The board rejected it. They thought my idea was too vaguely formulated.” But De Ridder did not give up. To convince the university, she teamed up with several organisations, including Erasmus Pride. “I’m so happy that we’ve all accomplished this together.”

Putting it into practice

Sociology student Elisa Weehuizen and MISOC student Auguste Ouedraogo attended as representatives of the association of African students, ASAH. They think the zebra crossing is a wonderful gesture. “But we still have a long way to go, of course”, says Ouedraogo. “I hope that the university can weave diversity and inclusion into its education. It would be great if lecturers and tutors were aware of students’ gender identity, for example.”

Awkward Place

Business student Stephan van Roon and MISOC student Zofia Staszewska, both of Erasmus Pride, are also pleased with the rainbow crossing. “It’s a good first step towards more openness and acceptance”, Van Roon says.

Staszewska completely agrees with PhD student Kristel de Groot’s criticism that the location of the crossing was very poorly chosen. She also uses a wheelchair herself. “De Groot is absolutely right. As proud and happy as I am that the crossing is there, I think there are better places on campus to put one. It was already very slippery here, and now it’s even more slippery because of the rainbow paint. That makes it really hard to go up the hill”, says the president of Erasmus Pride. “Now I’m caught in a dilemma. It’s really important for representation, but at the same time, this crossing makes my life more difficult every single day.”

Van Schoten is aware of the problem. “I think it’s awful that people who use a wheelchair still can’t get around everywhere on our campus. We’re working very hard on this, though: new buildings are much more accessible for people in wheelchairs, for example.”