Page 13 - ARUBA TODAY

A13
Monday 30 october 2017

District 7: A LGBTQ Barrio

ORANJESTAD - The LGBTQ
(Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual,
Transgender, Queer or
Questioning) community
forms a considerable part
of incoming tourism in Aru-
ba. Besides that the island
has her own crowd of LG-
BTQ. But.. So far there is no
place for this community to
meet, eat, party and sleep
within one vibe, one ‘bar-
rio’. Toine van de Donk(
real estate investor) is go-
ing to change that. “It’s
about time”, he says con- emphasis- open to every- Oranjestad where District
fident. body. “I am talking about 7 will arise. The deadline
a neighborhood called is to open next year, June
th
By Linda Reijnders District 7with boutique 24 , that’s 7 months from
rooms for long term and now on, and by hearing
With Style short term rentals, trendy him out, everything seems
Toine, ambitious and an small shops, cute coffee to be well-thought and
out-of-the-box thinker, spots, nice bars and other fully prepared. “I am not a to achieve the goal. “This
has a vision that is clear facilities.” This is not a plan; dreamer, but an accom- coming weekend, we will
and cut. With an all-round it is in execution already plisher. This is a high-need- have our own @7 Club
concept to serve the LG- as Toine is buying build- ed asset in the island that I stage at the Love Festival,
BTQ community, but–he ings in the specific part of love.” He elaborates about called @7 House of Dolls,
an area where art, creativ- and believe me that we
ity, diversity, hip and com- will rock. It is there where I
fort merge. “Important to will announce the project
understand is that this spe- District 7.” The shows prom-
cific place in town will form ise to be out-of-this-world,
a platform where the LG- highly entertaining with
BTQ community can con- Madonna look-a-like, Diva
nect with locals and tour- Parades and more, all cov-
ists. “Everybody is welcome ered in a blanket of diver-
to enjoy, but with respect sity, with 3 separate themes
and dignity”, Toine states. for Friday, Saturday and
“LGBTQ’s like a comfy life- Sunday. “It is about expres-
style, not perse expensive sion and acceptance of
but as classy as possible. D7 yourself. Imagine how im-
will provide in that. We are portant a performance like And that is precisely the
going for comfort and con- this can be for some of the philosophy behind 7. A
venience.” artists. To be able to express place to be your own YOU.
themselves completely To Toine, there is more to it
Be Your Own while they fought hard for than realizing a dream. “It
Toine is not standing alone acceptance of family or is about finding ground for
in this. He has a trustable friends or even the world. seeking souls. District 7 is on
staff that supports the D7 This is about choosing to be its way to be a Happy Di-
concept and works hard their own ME.” mensional Home for all.”q