Queen Maxima visits school kids to talk about sexual diversity

By Janene Pieters on November 8, 2017 - 16:20
Queen Maxima speaking with students at the Hofstad Lyceum in The Hague about LGTBI acceptance, 8 Nov 2017
Queen Maxima speaking with students at the Hofstad Lyceum in The Hague about LGTBI acceptance, 8 Nov 2017. (Photo: Hofstad Lyceum / Facebook)

Queen Maxima paid a visit to the Hofstad Lyceum in The Hague on Wednesday morning to talk to pupils about the acceptance of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersexual classmates. She also spoke with LGBTI students and representatives of LGBTI interest organization COC, NOS reports.

The COC representatives explained the situation LGBTI students face in schools and in general. And students showed the Queen actions they plan to take against bullying. 

More than half of LGBTI school students were bullied over the past year because of the sexuality, according to NOS. The number of suicides is also almost five time higher among LGBTI students than among heterosexual students. 

The Queen's visit to the school was part of the run-up to Purple Friday on December 8th. On Purple Friday school students wear purple to show solidarity with LGBTI youth. 

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