Book
Read our book about Utrecht’s queer history:
Utrechtenaren, een queer geschiedenis
Maurice van Lieshout, Marijke Huisman, and Evert van der Veen, WBOOKS, 2024
The history of gay men in the Netherlands is so closely tied to the city of Utrecht that for centuries they were commonly referred to as “Utrechtenaren.” Yet Utrecht’s queer history has largely remained untold—until now.
This book, written in Dutch, changes that by telling the stories of people who defied dominant norms around sexuality and gender and still managed to carve out a place in Utrecht society, despite legal and social discrimination. It highlights remarkable lives, such as that of eighteenth-century lime carrier Gilles van Baaden, lesbian icon Sylvia Bodnár, transgender artist Dirkje Kuik, and contemporary Utrechters who are making history today.
The authors interweave these personal narratives with the broader development of the Dutch queer emancipation movement. Featuring numerous unique illustrations, this book uncovers a history that is not only of local significance but also of national and international importance.
Price: €29.95 – available at Dutch bookstores and online.