(Also) hello from the Netherlands

[JeroentheGoon]

Hi everyone,

My name is Jeroen. Jeroen rhymes with Goon.. so non-dutchies now also know how to pronounce my name!

So I’m 36 and live in Amsterdam, where I do lots of freelance graphic-design work (like actual graphics, books, posters, websites, lots of AI work now too) and besides that I'm co-parenting my six-year-old daughter. And after a few days of quietly reading the forum, I decided it was time to introduce myself here. Because I feel this is a safe place.

I first realised my preferences were different when I was about 22/23, as girlfriends got older they got less attractive. I did get a daughter, she wasn't planned but she was eventually wanted.

The debate in the Netherlands has left almost no space for people who want to manage or communicate their feelings. People are actually being prosecuted for just being a MAP. Everywhere I look, the message seems to be that map is a ticking time bomb. I don’t believe that. That’s why spaces like this matter so much. Somewhere to speak without being cut off by moral panic.

Away from the screen I wind down by growing some plants on my balcony, reading, traveling. And as I mentioned I'm a graphic designer. If there is any way i can support some projects for this forum or other initiatives. Please do let me know.

Thanks for making this forum a place where honesty can exist.

Jeroen

[RoosterDance]

Places like this are so important. Moral panic really has created some insane extremes. Just like this:

People are actually being prosecuted for just being a MAP.

Can you elaborate more on a recent example you've seen of this happening? I like to stay on top of this news.

[jeffychubchaser29]

Welcome, I hope you enjoy your stay. I'd love to visit the Netherlands one day and go to all the hardstyle festivals.
Much love from the USA.

[BLueRibbon]

Welcome. What happened to the Netherlands is very sad.

[JeroentheGoon]

Places like this are so important. Moral panic really has created some insane extremes. Just like this:

People are actually being prosecuted for just being a MAP.

Can you elaborate more on a recent example you've seen of this happening? I like to stay on top of this news.

People used to look to at the Netherlands as a place where you could speak, reflect, and support each other without being hunted for it (although I was a kid back then myself).

And examples... look at what’s happened to Nelson, Marthijn and Lesley. All three are locked up abroad without any evidence. And Norbert was prosecuted here in the Netherlands for his thoughts, his words, not his actions! These are law-abiding MAPs who’ve spent years pushing for open dialogue. And now they’re being treated like criminals for merely existing.

Simply being a MAP o r talking about it online, makes you a target.... this has poisoned the climate here.

But I aldo believe that the more pressure builds, the more people reach for each other. Support groups, forums like this, small networks.... what isolates us also connects us and makes us stronger.