“Transgender people are more than their gender”- Activist Yvo Manuel Vas Dias of TransAmsterdam.
Yvo Manuel Vas Dias, founder and chairman of the Netherlands-based organization TransAmsterdam, who is also the ambassador of Sahodari Foundation, is interviewed by Sahodari Foundation.
Yvo Manuel Vas Dias, founder and chairman of Transamsterdam
An Introduction to Netherlands firebrand transgender rights activist Yvo Manuel Vas Dias
Yvo Manuel Vas Dias is a trans-man, a Buddhist with Jewish background, and a born networker. 2014 he organized the first TransPride in Amsterdam and started the TransAmsterdam foundation in 2015. By starting TransAmsterdam, he aimed to improve the image of transgender people in the Netherlands, empowering the community through organizing festivals, social events, and providing an art-and-culture platform for transgender people. An example of this is the start of the Trans Art School, which organizes creative and expressive workshops for and by trans people.
In 2016, Yvo was the first trans-man to be nominated for the ‘Amsterdammer of the Year’, and in 2017 he received a declaration from the Amsterdam police force for his continuous work for the trans community, his commitment to combating inequality and for connecting Amsterdam citizens. In 2018, he was named ‘Amsterdam Hero’ by the Amsterdam Heroes Network.
What are your feelings about becoming the Ambassador of Sahodari Foundation?
I was extremely honored when Kalki asked me to be an ambassador for the Sahodari Foundation. It is so special to work together with each other’s organizations, to be able to work for the transgender people, transgender creatives, and transgender artists, and to build a bridge between our organizations in the Netherlands and India.
TransAmsterdam and Sahodari Foundation both work on transgender community’s creative expressions. Why is artistic expressions so important for the community?
Transgender people are often confronted with prejudice and discrimination, such as unequal treatment when applying for jobs, being addressed incorrectly and inappropriately (being misgendered), and verbal and/or physical violence. The stress related to this unequal treatment is also called minority stress: stress because you belong to a minority. You become suspicious of other people, and you no longer dare to step outside, out of fear of being treated negatively.
Minority stress can lead to depression, loneliness, and suicide. By using creative expression, we can develop more self-confidence as trans people and the community, and feel we stand stronger in society. Empowerment, self-awareness, and self-esteem are the keywords to develop our talents and show that we are more than transgender. Through our art, we show that we are powerful people.
Yvo with Ms.Candy Cotton Candy, the Drag Queen
Will there be a cultural exchange of art and artists from both sides?
Most definitely. We are planning to set up an art project with our transgender artists and organize an exchange with one another. Which themes we will work with, and through what ways, is still a surprise. We will keep you informed of our plans.
How was the idea of Open Dag Trans Arts School conceived?
We discovered that there is a lot of talent within our trans community that has not yet been found. We wanted to start an art project for transgender youth and transgender newcomers. Trans Art School is a nice name for this art project, we thought. During the workshops, transgender people can develop their talents, learn to build confidence, learn to make poems together with other transgender people, self-portraits, photos, films, and music. Through art and culture, we want to show that transgender people are more than their gender. It also forms a connecting factor between the transgender community and society.
Kalki Subramaniam is an international ambassador of TransAmsterdam. Her artworks were showcased in Amsterdam are many venues. How did people receive it?
It was an incredible honor for me and the team that Kalki came to Amsterdam in 2019. Kalki’s artworks were exhibited for 4 days in the magnificent Manor Hotel, and her colorful exhibition was opened in the presence of the respectable chairman and mayor of East-Amsterdam, Maarten Poorter, and the Manor’s General Manager, Nicole Lagas. Visitors were excited and impressed with Kalki’s artwork, and she gave the lucky attendees during the opening a personal tour. Each piece of art was thoroughly introduced, discussed, and explained regarding Kalki’s vision, message, and thought process, and questions were evoked among the visitors. In addition to the exhibition, there were several other activities, including a workshop, an art talk, and a meetup.
Many visitors expressed how Kalki’s various speeches moved them and touched their hearts deeply. It was a wonderful four days to have Kalki with us in Amsterdam. After she returned to India, TransAmsterdam continued an exhibition of her work during the Amsterdam Pride and Pride East in the ‘Amsterdam East Public Library’. Her work remained exhibited for a full month, open to view for the thousands of visitors to the magnificent library, many of whom left positive reactions about Kalki’s work.
As the founder of TransAmsterdam, what is your vision for the year 2020?
TransAmsterdam is starting 2020 with much energy to open the Trans Art School. We will offer various workshops, including dance, music, rap, scat-singing, spoken word, writing, theater, drag, photography, printing, making presentations, and martial arts. All workshops are exclusively for transgender youth and newcomers and are organized and presented by our own transgender community. During the workshops, trans youth and newcomers can develop their talents, learn to make poems together, learn to dance, take photos, make music, and much more.
At several events throughout the year, participants can show off their newly learned skills and share their art with the public. Examples of these events are the monthly Trans-and-Friends cafe ‘InClusion’, Transgender Visibility Day, Transgender Flag Day, TransPride, and Pride East. This year marks the 5th anniversary of TransAmsterdam, which we will obviously not let pass by silently. We celebrate loud and proud during our many events of the year with a great diversity of speakers, performances, and acts.
Who are your favourite artists? Have you done a painting? Can you show us?
I really like Hassan Massoudy’s calligraphy artworks. Hassan is an Iraqi painter and calligrapher living in Paris, and uses beautiful poems in his calligraphy. I have painted a lot in the past, though not in recent years. Unfortunately, I can’t show you anything (laughs Yvo). I now prefer to enjoy the work of other artists.
What is your message for the artists of Sahodari Foundation?
It is very important that you, as a transgender artist, follow your heart. Developing your style through painting, drawing, writing stories, writing poetry, singing, dancing, theater, filming, photography, or any other form can liberate and build self-confidence. Dare to be who you are. Don’t let anyone distract, discriminate against, or suppress you. Be Trans and Proud!
Thank you, Yvo!
Yvo Manuel Vas Dias with Transgender flag
Photographs by Erzsi Molnar and Mick Luna.
Yvo can be contacted at his official Email: info@transamsterdam.nl. Website: https://www.transamsterdam.nl/