Event
The Invisible Weight of Activism
When: Tuesday, July 29 2025, 19:30-21:00.
Where: A’DAM Tower – The Panorama Studio, Amsterdam
A Rainbow Salute Foundation event during Amsterdam Pride
A conversation on the mental health impact of living and resisting openly
This event invited us into conversation.
During Amsterdam Pride 2025, we were joined by a panel of activists, including international voices and Dutch organisers, but the heart of this evening was in the people in the room. We’ve experienced an amazing conversation — how we’ve dealt with the mental toll of a world that pushes in on who we are, simply for being visible, vocal, or vulnerable.
The panel responded, reflected, and shared their own experiences — not just as experts removed from the struggle, but as peers who carry this weight too. And to help us move forward, Meghan Crutchely offered insights, grounding practices, and tools to sustain us. Because thriving is not just possible — it’s necessary.
This was a deeply felt evening of honesty, reflection, and community care.
Main speaker Meghan Crutchely (they/them)
Health coach and facilitator, Meghan supports LGBTQIA+ and HIV/AIDS activists in building resilience through rest practices, community care, and self-connection.
The Impact is Real
Meet Your Hosts
Our panel has a vast combined experience with activism and activists, and we’re proud to present them to you
The Marvelous Marvy (she/her)
As co-host of The Invisible Weight, Miss Marvy brings heart, humour, and high energy — singing, managing, and keeping the whole show flowing. She really does it all.
Jürgen Theuns (he/him)
As co-host of The Invisible Weight, actor and seasoned presenter Jürgen Theuns brings empathy, presence, and professionalism — guiding the conversation with warmth, humour, and heart.
The conversation was deep
Activism can be powerful, joyful, and transformative — but it can also be exhausting. The invisible weight we carry as LGBTQIA+ and HIV+ activists often goes unspoken: the burnout, the grief, the isolation, the pressure to always be strong. We shared our stories, our struggles, our survival. Whether we spoke or simply listened, our presence mattered. We talked honestly about what it costs to keep showing up — and how we can care for ourselves and each other while doing it.
Meet the panel
Our panel has a vast combined experience with activism and activists, and we’re proud to present them to you
Marja Lust (she/her)
Marja Lust serves as council member in Amsterdam and brings institutional insight from her work in public safety and LGBTQIA+ policing. She also previously served as a Lieutenant and criminal investigator with the Amsterdam Cold Case team—and advocates internationally through her role in the Pink In Blue police network.
Eliane Becks (they/them)
Eliane Becks is an artist, storyteller, HIV activist, and proud dragtivist. As the HIV Stigmafighter and Eric the DragKing, they share lived experience with fierce truth, resilience, and radiant style
Hans Verhoeven (he/him)
Hans Verhoeven, Ambassador of Pride Amsterdam, has been an active voice in Amsterdam’s LGBTQIA+ community for over 40 years. As a founder of Roze Wester and EuroPride Amsterdam, he brings both lived experience and deep movement history to the conversation.
Javier Alamo (he/him)
Javier Alamo is a Visual Artist and Co-Founder of the NGO for the Venezuelan LGBTIQ+ community, País Plural
Eric Klaver – Event Coordinator
Empowerment Fund
Partly thanks to a donation from the empowerment fund, we can organise this activity during Pride Amsterdam. The fund offers financial support to projects that contribute to the emancipation
and inclusivity of the community. The Empowerment Fund was set up to ensure that everyone within the LGBTQIA+ community has a voice and can contribute to Pride Amsterdam. It specifically focuses on initiatives that have little access to other financing options. This further emphasizes and stimulates diversity
within Pride.
This event is in the past
Join us for an honest, affirming conversation that honours the full spectrum of activism — and the people behind it.
When was the event?
Time: 19:30-21:00
