Our mission
Th!nk with Pride (TwP) is the LGBTQ+ network at the University of Twente (UT), dedicated to advancing LGBTQ+ visibility, equity, and inclusion within the university. We work to create an environment where every individual (from teachers to students, faculty to staff, and LGBTQ+ people to their allies) can be authentically themselves. We want to move, beyond tolerance to genuine celebration and integration across research, education, policy, and organizational practices.
We amplify the presence, contributions, well-being, and social safety of LGBTQ+ individuals within the UT by developing resources, raising awareness, and lobbying for impactful policy changes. Through educational initiatives, visibility efforts, and active advocacy, we work within the system to foster meaningful and lasting change. TWP also acts as oversight, identifying and addressing significant gaps or missteps in university practices to enhance LGBTQ+ inclusion and equality.
Action Areas
Th!nk with Pride focuses on three action areas:
- Education: We provide practical support and materials that enhance understanding of queer identities and issues, benefiting both LGBTQ+ and ally audiences at UT.
- Visibility: We highlight the achievements and presence of LGBTQ+ staff and students to build awareness and normalise diverse identities.
- Oversight: We monitor UT’s practices and policies to ensure they reflect and respect LGBTQ+ diversity, raising critical issues as they arise.
Who Are We?
Pictured: past and current organising members of Th!nk with Pride
Th!nk with Pride currently has a few organising members, browse through the list below to get to know us.
Beginning
The visibility for the LGBTQI+ community was initiated by Eric Louis. In 2018, he arranged that for the first time a large Rainbow flag flew on one of the three masts at the entrance of the campus on Coming Out day on 11 October. That same year, Eric came into contact with Alex Jonkhart, who was still working for Saxion at the time. Saxion and the University of Twente were looking for cooperation, and when Alex transferred from Saxion to the University of Twente, the working group Th!nk with Pride became reality. From that moment on, Alex and Eric worked together to increase the visibility for this community. A first Get Together during the Coming Out Week in 2019 was an event where staff and students came together to network, while enjoying a piece of rainbow cake.
Within Saxion, the working group Th!nk with Pride Saxion had already been established, and Alex and Eric decided to increase the support for the name by using the same name with the extension UT, thus naming our working group Th!nk with Pride UT. By working together, we can join forces and increase our visibility in the region. This cooperation resulted in the Diversity Day 2020 on 6 October. On this day, the rector of the University of Twente and the chairs of the boards of Saxion University of Applied Sciences and ROC van Twente came together in the Vrijhof to sign a declaration. During this week, the well known letters ‘University of Twente’ at the entrance were also in rainbow style, with the letters UN replaced by a D, creating ‘Diversity of Twente’.
Since then, new members have signed up and together with UT diversity officer Sterre Mkatini, we have formed a working group with enough power and enthusiasm to increase the visibility of the LGBTQI+ community and to set up an information platform. Th!nk with Pride is now structurally funded as part of the DE&I budget.
Tessa Dekkers (they/she)
Tessa Dekkers has worked at the UT since 2019 as a psychology teacher, postdoc researcher and now assistant professor at the BMS faculty. Their research focuses on the development of digital solutions to improve mental and physical health through co-design, specifically for people who experience health inequalities. Their current project (PROUT) focusses on examining and improving mental health of LGBTQI+ youth. As a pansexual non-binary person (she/they), she chaired the Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Gender Expression group of SEG Inclusion since 2021 and joined Th!nk with Pride as a natural follow-up. They are excited to contribute to a safe, fun, and inclusive campus for staff and students alike.
Anne van Dongen (they/she)
Anne (they/she) is an assistant professor at the BMS faculty. After working at universities in Australia and England, they returned to the Netherlands in 2021 where they joined the Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Gender Expression group of SEG Inclusion, as well as Th!nk with Pride. They have a diverse range of research interests, but their main focus is always reducing inequalities in (mental) health. Their current project (PROUT) is dedicated to examining and improving mental health of LGBTQI+ youth. Anne is committed to fostering a safe and inclusive environment both within academia and society at large.
Do you want to join?
Would you like to contribute to the visibility of the LGBTQ+ community at the UT and become a member of the Th!nk With Pride working group? Let's have a chat! You can reach out to pride@utwente.nl and we will plan an introductory coffee/tea.
All efforts are appreciated! If you specifically want to contribute on one of four themes above, that is very welcome.
In loving memory: Hellebore Fass (she/they)
Our dear colleague and Th!nk with Pride member Hellen passed away unexpectedly in July 2024, you can read her In Memoriam here. Rest well Hellen and thank you for everything.
Hellebore Fass has started working as a postdoctoral Researcher in medical technology at the University of Twente in 2024 and has joined Th!nk with Pride, to make a difference. Previously she lived in Ireland and Germany where she engaged in LGBTQ+ community work. As such, she has been part of the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee of the Tyndall National Institute and in Ireland from 2019 to 2023 as well as the LGBT+ Committee of the University College Cork. As part of Th!nk with Pride Hellebore seeks to improve inclusivity and understanding between people as well as raise visibility for the LGBTQ+ community. She hopes to show other trans*, non-binary and queer people that they are not alone.