I don't remember exactly when I started hearing jokes around me about other sexual orientations. It seems like several lifetimes have passed since then. I only know that we "suspected" and "made fun" of colleagues or friends and didn't dare discuss anything about it with them. And they probably didn't dare tell us anything, that is if they would have been aware and accepted that they were different. We often missed the chance to be around someone who was not then considered "normal". I didn't know how to approach, I didn't know what to say, I didn't have an open heart.
But with time I had a chance to understand, and those around me helped me to make up for years of ignorance.
We went through different phases: curiosity, tolerance, acceptance until we reached understanding. In each phase I discovered something more about others and therefore about myself. The biggest discovery was that we need to care more about each other and that always changes things for the better.
I have had the privilege to meet not only LGBTIQ people on my journey but also supporters of their rights: family, good friends, wonderful neighbours, colleagues, inspiring life stories that have brought me much joy.
We have also met mayors or politicians, trainers, artists, teachers, LGBTIQ parents, happy stories, but also many full of pain. Whether we're talking about children getting sick or even killing themselves because of bullying, severely compromised relationships with parents, discrimination, bullying, violence or simply fear of declaring you're different, these come up far too often.
I live in a country that leads the way in the fight for equal rights and I'm so glad it's that way. LGBTIQ here is very close to normality but I know that in the whole world and in Romania it takes time to reach that level. If we open our eyes and our hearts I believe that we will gradually step on the road of acceptance and understanding and our life will be totally different. We need to do more so that everyone can be who they are.
We can consider ourselves a community if we are close to each other in times of need. The Romanian craft made for the first time by the ROMPRO Foundation at Pride Amsterdam 2022 will be on the channels full of spectators and will be broadcast live on the NPO channel.
Don't leave us alone, come with us or help with a donation to have a boat that the Romanian community can be proud of.
Cătălina Negru is co-founder of ROMPRO and captain of the Romanian boat at PRIDE AMSTERDAM 2022.
