Published
Thu, Oct 19, 2023, 08:30
- Members of the city's LGBTQIA+ club community have penned an open letter addressing the situation.
Amsterdam's CLUB RAUM is unable to open as planned.
The new club, which aims to foster a space for the city's LGBTQIA+ community, first broke the news via Instagram on October 4th.
"We're devastated to be forced to announce that RAUM isn't allowed to open this weekend," the post read. "Unfortunately, the city district we're part of has failed to timely grant the permits before our opening weekend—even though our club is fully ready and safe for our community to join."
Following this, CLUB RAUM changed its opening date to ADE weekend, where it was due to host four parties featuring artists such as LYDO, D.Dan and Yazzus. However, the club took to Instagram again on Tuesday, October 17th, to announce that this weekend's events have also been cancelled.
"Absolutely devastated to inform you that we're forced to keep our doors closed, which means ADE at CLUB RAUM is cancelled," it read. "We've found ourselves entangled in an unfair and complex dispute with the district of Nieuw-West and the municipality. It's becoming increasingly clear to us that our presence here is, for the most part, unwanted."
Speaking to Resident Advisor, cofounder Sven Bijma elaborated on the situation. "We found out that this decision was made in relation to 'external safety,'" they said. "Yesterday we got a visit from the police who said that our crowd could be a safety hazard. They think that crowds from other nearby businesses—such as the weed coffee shop down the street—could potentially clash with people attending CLUB RAUM because of the way they dress. It's absolutely ridiculous."
Bijma believes that there are both homophobic and racial undertones to the district's objections. "It's victim blaming," they continued. "There are also venues in this area that occasionally host Turkish or Moroccan weddings. This decision isn't only discriminatory to our crowd—it's discriminatory to the people who use these venues. There's an assumption that they won't accept the way our crowd looks. It's discriminatory in so many different ways—and it even seems unlawful."
Bijma insists that CLUB RAUM is trying to fight its way through this web of bureaucracy, but is currently unsure when the venue will be allowed to open. "It's getting really fucking dire. We're not a huge events company, we're independent, so we can't just postpone opening indefinitely," they added.
RA has also seen an open letter addressing the situation penned by members of Amsterdam's LGBTQIA+ club community. "Discovering that the LGBTQIA+ community is perceived to be at 'risk' in Stadsdeel Nieuw West is heartbreaking, but unsurprising," the letter read. "Queer people are at risk everywhere. With queerphobic and transphobic sentiments on the rise in Amsterdam, this is exactly the time to open CLUB RAUM, a space where we trust our community first and foremost to always look out for our safety."
The letter continued: "With our whole heart, we implore you: give CLUB RAUM the support and resources needed to expedite the processes and approvals necessary to open its doors to the world."
Read the open letter in full, and revisit CLUB RAUM's Instagram post below. You can also support CLUB RAUM by buying T-shirts, hoodies and tote bags via the website, or simply by donating directly.
Update, November 16th: This piece has been updated with a link to CLUB RAUM's merchandise fundraiser