Page 14 - ARUBA TODAY

A14 LOCAL
Saturday 4 November 2017
Strike A Pose

By Linda Reijnders

Palm Beach - Aruba Today had the honor to be part of
a selective group of media that were recently informed
about an extraordinary project. Real Estate Investor Toine
van de Donk is stepping up for the LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay,
Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning) community
that forms a considerable part of incoming tourism in
Aruba and of course the local participation. A former
article in Aruba Today announced that he is constructing
a ‘barrio’, especially for this group, but actually for
everybody to express themselves and BE who they are.
During the Love Festival, Toine has his own stage called @7
House of Dolls, where he pronounced past night that D7
(District 7) is in process. The shows which fill the incredible
creative and spectacular stage are mind-blowing. It is all
about Strike A Pose and BE You!
Aruba Today had an uplifting conversation with some of
the artists. Let us introduce them to you.

Sadiq(38) is half Indian and basically Muslim as well. “My
passion has always been to try to accept who I am. I
went to hell to find out and understand. I knew I was gay,
I am not a transgender. I am not a girl, but neither a boy.
I just wanted to be happy for what I am. 10 years I was
crying in my bed not knowing who I was. Because society
decides how males should look and how females should
look. Being part of a structured Muslim family – my uncle
was an Iman- was far worse, it was very, very hard. My
life was pretty different from others. Now I just go around
and express that it is okay who you are as long as it makes
you happy. Money can be earned, but happiness not.
That’s what I achieve and I pass it on to this and the next
generation.”

My Look is My Art
Sadiq is a ‘fashionista’ and is capable of doing all genres.
“Being me is already a show, to see me walking around
is already a performance. My look is my art.” He is the
smiling face at the entrance door of @7 House of Dolls.
The person who welcomes the guests and make them
feel at home. “Welcome to the club, welcome to the
scene.” Sadiq is thankful to Toine to have the opportunity
to go international with who he is in fashion, but on the
other hand he feels there are a lot of people in India that
are stuck with their sexuality, their gender, not knowing
whether they are a boy or a girl and gay or not. “Most
of times society decides on what you can wear. But
I decide for myself. In the 17 century men wore more
th
make up than women and fashion was set by humanity,
not by gender. I wish to break that circle of now and
make people feel that it is okay how you are.”
Although he expresses who he is, he has to remind himself
every day and it is not easy. “Yes, my dearie, you need
to be who you are, wear whatever you want and be
happy. Wake up and find yourself beautiful. Everybody
is beautiful, no matter what society sets for in magazines
and shows.” He finds that there are still obstacles, even
within the LGBTQ community. “There is a big prejudice that
male figures should be macho. That has to change. The
role of the typical male and typical women in a couple
still exists and I try to change that. It does not make you
less macho or male when you wear make-up. “
His dream is to be in a world where everybody is seen
as normal, accepted as they are and where hatred and Artist Sadiq
prejudice do not exist. “As they kill the world.”

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