Stage Your Voice participant
Henno
"I discovered that I already adjust my clothing and behavior to avoid unpleasant reactions."
- Henno
Oh this, yes this happens
"Right by my house is a field where guys usually hang out. I realized at one point that I always cycle straighter when I pass there, make myself look tougher and wider. Even if I were cycling alone through The Hague, I would probably do that. Kind of automatic self-protection. When I walk through town with girlfriends, I get things thrown at me every day like: gay and faggot. I don't look up to it anymore. These are often groups of guys, but also individuals cycling by. Why?" I think. What do you get out of shouting this? Was walking through town with a girl the other day when something like this happened. She was very shocked and I said, Oh this, yes this happens."
"With coach Paula Udondek I brainstormed what style song would suit me. We ended up with the style of Lily Allen. Happy melodies, but rock-hard messages. "Fuck you, fuck you very very much," delicious! Wanted to say too much in a few minutes at first. Meanwhile, my song can be summed up in one sentence of the song: Karen, won't you mind your own damn business?"
Don't force your views on other people
"Karen" has been a household name for years, especially in the United States. There are countless videos and memes ridiculing the typical Karen. Urban dictionary describes Karen as, 'Middle aged woman, typically blonde, makes solutions to others' problems an inconvenience to her although she isn't even remotely affected.' I have had to deal with a Karen in church on occasion who felt it necessary to point out that homosexuality is not allowed by the Bible. Ok, Karen."
"If you want to read the Bible with thirty cats at home, do your thing. I'm not going to stop you. Why would you want to restrict me though? To me, Karen symbolizes the typical Karen, but really anyone who finds it necessary to interfere in other people's lives. To those people my song may arrive. The message: don't force your views on other people. Stop doing that. Very cool to be able to play with such a good orchestra. Thanks to the great musicians, the song is going to come in to people anyway. Karen, beware."
Follow Henno on his journey to the stage!
Henno (19) uses his song to call on people to respect others. He can't stand people imposing their views and making unsolicited comments about who he is. As an LGBTQ+ youth, he has to deal with this on the street every day.
