WEST VILLAGE, Manhattan — The Stonewall Inn, known as the birthplace of the LGBTQ rights movement, welcomed Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten on Monday during his visit to New York for the United Nations General Assembly.<\/p>\n
Jetten, who this year became the first openly gay prime minister of the Netherlands, toured the historic Greenwich Village landmark and reflected on its significance.<\/p>\n
“We stand on the shoulders of great people that here started this fight for equal rights,” Jetten said.<\/p>\n
During the visit, Stonewall Inn co-owner Kurt Kelly discussed the site’s role in LGBTQ history.<\/p>\n
“That’s why we have gay pride parades around the world (because) of what happened that night here,” Kelly said.<\/p>\n
Jetten emphasized the importance of preserving places tied to the movement’s history.<\/p>\n
“Historical grounds like these are important, and we will make sure we’ll never give up,” he said.<\/p>\n
The prime minister later attended a reception hosted by the LGBTQ Victory Fund, a nonprofit organization that encourages and trains potential LGBTQ political candidates, often in communities that are less supportive of LGBTQ representation.<\/p>\n
Evan Low, the organization’s CEO, said many prospective candidates wrestle with whether pursuing public office is worth the challenges involved.<\/p>\n
“Is it worth it? These often are the questions that we get asked about, I don’t know if I can continue, I might be passionate to serve, but is it worth the sacrifice?” Low said.<\/p>\n
Low pointed to Jetten’s election as an example of the value of representation.<\/p>\n
“You can’t be what you can’t see. And so, he’s a reflection of the importance of representation,” he said.<\/p>\n
The Netherlands, which has historic ties to New York City, recently marked the 25th anniversary of becoming the first country to legalize marriage equality.<\/p>\n
Jetten said progress for LGBTQ communities requires continued vigilance.<\/p>\n
“You cannot only be happy for such an historical moment. You have to understand that the emancipation of a community will never stop, and you have to be aware of what the new threats for our community will be,” he said.<\/p>\n
As Jetten enjoyed a beer at the Stonewall Inn on Monday evening, attendees applauded him as an example of LGBTQ representation in political leadership.<\/p>\n
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