NEW DAY AND NIGHT SHELTER FOR HOMELESS LHBTIQ+ PEOPLE AND WOMEN IN AMSTERDAM

Lately launched: a small-scale night shelter for homeless LGBTQ+ persons as well as special drop-in house days for women and LGBTQ+ people. With these initiatives, De Regenboog Groep offers two safe and welcoming places to those who do not feel safe in regular shelters and too often do not find support in practice.

Small-scale night shelter LHBTIQ+ persons

During the day, the Princehof walk-in centre is a trusted place for homeless people and at night it will now be a night shelter for up to ten LGBTQ+ persons. For many people from the LHBTIQ+ group, the streets at night are not only cold, but also extra unsafe. They often avoid regular shelters for fear of discrimination or violence. "We do our best to make all our facilities as inclusive as possible," says Anika Apfel of De Regenboog Groep. "But we see that for some visitors this is not enough. That's why we created this specific shelter where safety, acceptance and understanding are key." Within the shelter, counseling is provided by staff with knowledge of gender and sexual diversity and the traumas or psychological vulnerabilities that may be associated with it. Visitors can go there for rest and for support in finding appropriate counseling. Registration for the night shelter can be done through a De Regenboog Groep social worker or through GGD Amsterdam, Jan van Galenstraat 323, entrance B (Mon to Fri, 14.00 - 16.00).

Thursday drop-in day for women and LGBTQ+ people

There are now also special drop-in days for women and LGBTQ+'ers: every Thursday in De Regenboog Groep's walk-in centre Makom. These Thursdays are there to offer women and people from the LGBTQ+ community a safe environment where they can unwind, dare to seek help and also receive appropriate support. "Of course, not all men are misogynistic," says Anika. "But we do see incidents involving partner violence, misogyny [ed. misogyny] or sexism. Many homeless women feel safer among women and are more likely to dare to step up to help in such a setting." Visitors are welcome every Thursday between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. at walk-in centre Makom, Van Ostadestraat 153.

Drawing: Juan Badia Cabero