The Committee of Recommendation
The Rainbow Salute Foundation is honoured to present its Committee of Recommendation.
Members of this committee publicly express their support for the mission and values of the foundation. By joining, they affirm their trust in our work and alignment with our goals. While not involved in daily operations or decision-making, their endorsement offers valuable encouragement and visibility for the cause we serve.
Astrid Oosenbrug
Astrid Oosenbrug is a Dutch politician and activist committed to digital security, inclusion, and LGBTQIA+ rights. From 2012 to 2017 she served as a Member of Parliament for the Labour Party (PvdA), where she focused on ICT, privacy, and equal rights.
From 2018 to 2025 Astrid was Chairperson of COC Netherlands, the oldest still existing LGBTQIA+ organisation in the world. Under her leadership, COC strengthened its national advocacy, workplace inclusion programs, and international cooperation to advance equal rights.
Astrid is also the CEO and co-founder of DIVD Academy, a training hub for young ethical hackers working on public cybersecurity challenges. In addition, she serves as Vice Chair of the Supervisory Board of Enver, a youth care organization. With her broad expertise in governance, digital innovation, and social issues, Astrid is committed to creating safe and inclusive spaces and supporting activists who work beyond the spotlight.
Boris Dittrich
Boris Dittrich was the first openly gay member of Dutch parliament who focused on LGBT rights. In 1994 he proposed to introduce marriage equality. Dittrich and two colleagues embarked on a long campaign. In spite of fierce opposition from religious groups, the Netherlands became the first country in the world to introduce marriage equality.
Boris was member of the Dutch House of Representatives from 1994–2006 and since 2019 member of the Dutch Senate. Between 2007-2018 he was advocacy director in the LGBT rights program with Human Rights Watch.
In early 2007 Dittrich became Advocacy Director of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender (LGBT) Rights Program at Human Rights Watch in the Headquarters of the non-governmental organisation in New York City.
Dittrich worked on different levels to achieve non-discrimination and equal rights for LGBT people. In New York he co-organised yearly events at the United Nations to celebrate International Human Rights Day on December 10. In 2007 he chaired the event that introduced the Yogyakarta Principles to the UN in New York. The 2008 event introduced a joint statement by 66 countries to denounce violence and discrimination against people because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Mid 2013 Dittrich moved from New York to Berlin, Germany where he continued to work as global advocacy director of the LGBT Rights Program at Human Rights Watch until October 2018.
In 2019 Dittrich was elected as senator in the Dutch Senate for his political party D66.
Linda-Gail Bekker
Linda-Gail Bekker is Professor of Medicine and Chief Operating Officer of the Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation. She is also Director of the Desmund Tutu HIV Centre at the University of Cape Town. She is a Past President of the International AIDS Society (2016-18).
Bekker is passionate about engagement with communities and peer led education programs. Her community work looks to overcome stigma related to HIV and Tuberculosis. The Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation, where Bekker serves as Chief Operating Officer, supports the wellbeing of people in South Africa’s poorest communities.
In 2016 she was elected President of the International AIDS Society. She gave the opening address at the International AIDS Society Conference in Paris, where she spoke about new prevention options such as Pre-exposure prophylaxis. In 2018 she was elected to the board of the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative.
Nicky van de Laar
Nicky van de Laar (she/her) is non-binary, with a strong female gender identity. After struggling with her identity for over 30 years, she came out in 2022. She is currently working at Shell in the Netherlands as a Senior Business Development Manager for Low Carbon Fuels. In addition, she serves as a role model for Shell’s global DE&I program and is an active member of Shell’s LGBTQIA+ community, known as “Pink Pearl.”
Nicky is married to Suzanne van de Laar, Chairperson of Pride Amsterdam. Together, they have a daughter, Merel, who is a student and also a Pride Ambassador for Zandvoort at the Beach.
Get Involved
The work of our programmes are vital for supporting our LGBTQIA+/HIV activists.
