Gert Hekma

{{Infobox academic

| name = Gert Hekma

| image = Hekma-mosselezing2017.jpg

| caption = Hekma during his Mosse Lecture, 2017

| birth_name = Gerhardus Hekma

| birth_date = {{birth date|df=y|1951|09|24}}

| birth_place = Bedum, Netherlands

| death_date = {{death date and age|df=y|2022|4|19|1951|09|24}}

| death_place = Amsterdam, Netherlands

| nationality = Dutch

| education = MS Cultural anthropology (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam)
PhD Historical anthropology (Utrecht University)

| thesis_title = Homoseksualiteit, een medische reputatie : de uitdoktering van de homoseksueel in negentiende-eeuws Nederland

| thesis_year = 1987

| discipline = Anthropologist, sociologist

| sub_discipline = Gay and lesbian studies

| workplaces = University of Amsterdam

}}

Gerhardus "Gert" Hekma (24 September 1951 – 19 April 2022){{cite news|url=http://resolver.kb.nl/resolve?urn=ddd:010679246:mpeg21:p004|title=Familieberichten|date=26 September 1951|work=Nieuwsblad van het Noorden|access-date=2 February 2019|language=Dutch|trans-title=Family announcements}}[https://www.dieponderzoek.nl/in-memoriam-gert-hekma/ In Memoriam: Gert Hekma] {{inlang|nl}} was a Dutch anthropologist and sociologist, known for his research and publications, and public statements about (homo)sexuality.{{cite web|url=https://winq.nl/articles/227277/oud-docent-homostudies-gert-hekma-mensen-denken-dat-nederland-heel-tolerant-is-maar-niets-is-minder-waar/|title=Oud-docent Homostudies Gert Hekma: 'Mensen denken dat Nederland heel tolerant is, maar niets is minder waar'|last=Alexander|first=Rik|date=19 September 2017|work=Winq|access-date=2 February 2019|language=Dutch|trans-title=Former lecturer in Homosexual Studies Gert Hekma: 'People think that the Netherlands is very tolerant, but nothing is less true'|archive-date=17 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190217200356/https://winq.nl/articles/227277/oud-docent-homostudies-gert-hekma-mensen-denken-dat-nederland-heel-tolerant-is-maar-niets-is-minder-waar/|url-status=dead}} He taught gay and lesbian studies at the Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences of the University of Amsterdam from 1984 to 2017.{{cite web|url=http://mosse.nl/2017/08/11/mosse-lezing-2017-door-gert-hekma/|title=Mosse Lezing 2017 door Gert Hekma|date=11 August 2017|website=George Mosse Fund|access-date=2 February 2019|language=Dutch|trans-title=Mosse Lecture 2017 by Gert Hekma}}

Career

Hekma finished Gymnasium-β, and in 1978 obtained his master's degree in Cultural anthropology at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.{{cite web|url=http://www.uva.nl/binaries/content/documents/personalpages/h/e/g.hekma/en/tab-one/tab-one/cpitem%5B2%5D/asset?1355372664784|title=Curriculum Vitae Gert Hekma|publisher=University of Amsterdam|access-date=2 February 2019|language=Dutch|format=DOC|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170222030237/http://www.uva.nl/binaries/content/documents/personalpages/h/e/g.hekma/en/tab-one/tab-one/cpitem%5B2%5D/asset?1355372664784|archive-date=22 February 2017}} From 1979 to 1981, he worked at Utrecht University. He was one of the organizers of the June 1983 social-scientific congress "Among Women, Among Men" (Dutch: "Onder Vrouwen, Onder Mannen").{{cite journal|last=Koelemij|first=Paula|year=1984|title=Pendelen van sexus naar socia: Lesbiese geschiedenis of vrouwengeschiedenis?|url=https://rjh.ub.rug.nl/genderstudies/article/download/1114/1108|journal=Tijdschrift voor Vrouwenstudies|issue=3|page=290|access-date=2 February 2019|language=Dutch|trans-title=Commuting from sex to social: Lesbian history or women's history?}} In 1987, Hekma received his PhD in Historical anthropology from Utrecht University.{{cite web|url=https://lib.ugent.be/nl/catalog/rug01:000131591|title=Homoseksualiteit, een medische reputatie : de uitdoktering van de homoseksueel in negentiende-eeuws Nederland|website=Ghent University Library|date=23 April 1987|access-date=2 February 2019|language=Dutch|trans-title=Homosexuality, a Medical Reputation : Figuring Out the Homosexual in 19th-Century Netherlands}}

From 1984 (succeeding Mattias Duyves{{cite web|url=https://www.ihlia.nl/portfolio-items/een-jurk-zegt-meer-dan-duizend-woorden-hekma/|title=Docent Gert Hekma|website=IHLIA LGBT Heritage|access-date=2 February 2019|language=Dutch|trans-title=Teacher Gert Hekma|archive-date=17 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190217200357/https://www.ihlia.nl/portfolio-items/een-jurk-zegt-meer-dan-duizend-woorden-hekma/|url-status=dead}}) until 2017, Hekma was an assistant professor and teacher at the University of Amsterdam, specializing in the sociology and history of (homo)sexuality.{{cite web|url=https://www.stedelijk.nl/nl/digdeeper/de-seksuele-revolutie-amsterdam|title=De seksuele revolutie in Amsterdam|last=Hekma|first=Gert|date=26 July 2018|publisher=Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam|access-date=2 February 2019|language=Dutch|trans-title=The sexual revolution in Amsterdam}} Hekma's research is part of an academic counterculture,{{cite web|url=https://www.folia.nl/opinie/111414/op-zn-duits-bemin-de-buitengrens|title=Bemin de Buitengrens|last=Duits|first=Linda|date=16 June 2017|work=Folia|access-date=2 February 2019|quote=Hekma's onderzoek behoort tot een marginale, academische tegencultuur. [Hekma's research is part of a marginal, academic counterculture.]|language=Dutch|trans-title=Cherish the outside border}} and some of his statements, in particular about pedophilia and about sadomasochism, have caused conflicts between him and some of his colleagues and the university board, and resulted in threats directed at Hekma.

Hekma has served as editor or editorial board member of many periodicals.{{cite web|url=https://liberalarts.utexas.edu/european_studies/events/past-conferences/sexual-citizenship-and-human-rights/hekma.php|title=Gert Hekma|publisher=University of Texas at Austin College of Liberal Arts|access-date=2 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160819212634/http://liberalarts.utexas.edu/european_studies/events/past-conferences/sexual-citizenship-and-human-rights/hekma.php|archive-date=19 August 2016}} He has also co-organized several conferences,{{cite web|url=http://www.uva.nl/en/profile/h/e/g.hekma/g.hekma.html|title=Mr G. (Gert) Hekma|publisher=University of Amsterdam|access-date=2 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180702121402/http://www.uva.nl/en/profile/h/e/g.hekma/g.hekma.html|archive-date=2 July 2018}} and has studied the life and works of Jacob Israël de Haan, Louis Couperus, and Gerard Reve. He has taught students at Queens College and at the City College of San Francisco.

In 2017, three activities took place related to Hekma's retirement: a two-day symposium, "Perils and Pleasures: Confronting Erotic Diversions", in Amsterdam University Library; an exhibition, "Rooie Flikkers en Homostudies UvA", at IHLIA in the Openbare Bibliotheek Amsterdam; a Mosse Lecture by Hekma.{{cite web|url=https://www.coc.nl/algemeen/afscheidssymposium-voor-gert-hekma|title=Afscheidssymposium voor Gert Hekma|date=7 June 2017|website=COC Nederland|access-date=2 February 2019|language=Dutch|trans-title=Farewell symposium of Gert Hekma|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190207015016/https://www.coc.nl/algemeen/afscheidssymposium-voor-gert-hekma|archive-date=7 February 2019}} The latter was organized by the George Mosse Fund, that he co-founded in 2001.

Personal life

Hekma is the son of a notary{{cite web|url=https://www.folia.nl/actueel/111821/gert-hekma-gaat-met-pensioen-pfffff-iedereen-is-zo-preuts-en-braaf-geworden|title=Gert Hekma gaat met pensioen: 'Pfffff, iedereen is zo preuts en braaf geworden'|last=Wolthekker|first=Dirk|date=29 June 2017|work=Folia|access-date=2 February 2019|language=Dutch|trans-title=Gert Hekma retires: 'Pfffff, everyone has become so prudish and obedient'|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170803102626/http://www.folia.nl/actueel/111821/gert-hekma-gaat-met-pensioen-pfffff-iedereen-is-zo-preuts-en-braaf-geworden|archive-date=3 August 2017}}{{cite web|url=https://www.parool.nl/amsterdam/docent-homostudies-gert-hekma-het-is-erg-braaf-geworden-allemaal~a4509599/|title=Docent homostudies Gert Hekma: 'Het is erg braaf geworden allemaal'|last=Pisters|first=Caspar|date=4 August 2017|work=Het Parool|access-date=2 February 2019|language=Dutch|trans-title=Homosexual studies teacher Gert Hekma: 'It has all become very obedient'|url-access=subscription|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170819190750/https://www.parool.nl/amsterdam/docent-homostudies-gert-hekma-het-is-erg-braaf-geworden-allemaal~a4509599/|archive-date=19 August 2017}} and grew up in Bedum, the Netherlands. He was a frequent visitor of the DOK gay disco{{cite interview|last=Hekma|first=Gert|interviewer=Ischa Meijer|title=Afl.34: Gert Hekma, Hans Jan Kuipers|url=https://www.vpro.nl/speel~POMS_VPRO_195791~afl-34-gert-hekma-hans-jan-kuipers-een-uur-ischa~.html|work=Een Uur Ischa|publisher=VPRO|date=15 September 1992|access-date=2 February 2019|at=15:17|quote=Ik ben er vaak geweest. Met veel plezier. Erg leuk. Tot het eind. [I have been there many times. With pleasure. Very nice. Until the end.]|language=Dutch|trans-title=Ep.34: Gert Hekma, Hans Jan Kuipers}} and was a member of the radical "Red Faggots" (Dutch: "Rooie Flikkers"). Hekma was a book collector,{{cite book|year=2002|editor1-last=Aldrich|editor1-first=Robert|editor1-link=Robert Aldrich (historian)|editor2-last=Wotherspoon|editor2-first=Garry|title=Who's who in Contemporary Gay and Lesbian History: From World War II to the Present Day|edition=2nd|url={{Google books|zHCOboO86eAC|page=184|plainurl=yes}}|publisher=Routledge|page=184|isbn=978-0-415-29161-3}} and had a fetish for satin.{{cite news|url=https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2004/06/18/vroeger-was-alles-erger-7690750-a1232458|title=Vroeger was alles erger|last=Mooij|first=Annet|date=18 June 2004|work=NRC Handelsblad|access-date=2 February 2019|language=Dutch|trans-title=In the past everything was worse}} He was a fan of Marquis de Sade: not only is De Sade one of his favorite authors and a source of inspiration,{{cite web|url=https://www.groene.nl/artikel/kind-aan-huis-bij-gert-mattias|title=Kind aan huis bij Gert & Mattias|last=Sanders|first=Stephan|date=12 July 2017|work=De Groene Amsterdammer|access-date=2 February 2019|language=Dutch|trans-title=Regular visitor of Gert & Mattias}} Hekma was also fascinated by De Sade's position on violence,{{cite web|url=https://www.trouw.nl/home/gert-hekma~a056c533/|title=Gert Hekma|last=Haarsma|first=Hester|date=11 August 2003|work=Trouw|access-date=2 February 2019|language=Dutch|url-access=limited}} and has used De Sade to provide his students with another perspective on sexuality and violence. Hekma advocated against masculinity, paternalism and traditional gender roles.{{cite journal|last=Hekma|first=Gert|date=7 March 2006|title=Heteromannelijkheid|url=http://krisis.eu/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/2006-3-07-hekma.pdf|journal=Krisis|page=52|access-date=2 February 2019|language=Dutch|trans-title=Heterosexual masculinity|archive-date=17 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190217200357/http://krisis.eu/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/2006-3-07-hekma.pdf|url-status=dead}}

{{external media|float=right|width=200px|image1=[https://www.groene.nl/uploads/image/file/000/013/983/large_Gert_en_Mattias_Portugal_1984.jpg Hekma (left) and Mattias Duyves in Portugal (1984)], from Groene.nl.}}

In 2007, he received death threats after supporting the idea of including a boat for adolescents at the Amsterdam Gay Pride.{{cite web|url=https://www.volkskrant.nl/nieuws-achtergrond/doodsbedreiging-na-steun-kinder-gay-boot~ba66a8d3/|title=Doodsbedreiging na steun kinder-gay-boot|last=Beusekamp|first=Willem|date=3 February 2007|work=de Volkskrant|access-date=2 February 2019|language=Dutch|trans-title=Death threat after support child-gay-boat}} In 2014, Hekma co-created a petition addressed to the Supreme Court of the Netherlands, pleading with the Dutch Supreme Court to not ban pro-pedophilia association Vereniging MARTIJN.{{cite web|url=https://www.volkskrant.nl/columns-opinie/-hoge-raad-verbied-vereniging-martijn-niet-~b25e1f06/|title=Hoge Raad, verbied Vereniging Martijn niet|last1=Dautzenberg|first1=Anton|last2=Fennema|first2=Meindert|author-link2=Meindert Fennema|last3=Grunberg|first3=Arnon|author-link3=Arnon Grunberg|last4=Hekma|first4=Gert|last5=Swier|first5=Bart|date=16 April 2014|work=de Volkskrant|access-date=2 February 2019|language=Dutch|trans-title=Supreme Court, do not ban Martijn Association}} His support of MARTIJN resulted in death threats and an attempted burglary. Hekma has stated he was not a pedophile.{{cite web|url=http://www.gay.nl/article/1596//Hekma:_Ik_ben_geen_pedo!|title=Hekma: "Ik ben geen pedo!"|date=31 January 2007|website=Gay.nl|access-date=2 February 2019|language=Dutch|trans-title=Hekma: "I am not a pedo!"|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070825213156/http://www.gay.nl/article/1596//Hekma:_Ik_ben_geen_pedo!|archive-date=25 August 2007|url-status=dead}} He and his significant other, sociologist Mattias Duyves (1953), were together for more than forty years. They met in 1977 and married in 2007. Both champion sexual and relational freedom.

Hekma was interviewed for John Scagliotti's documentary film Before Homosexuals (2017).{{cite web|url=http://beforehomosexuals.com/cast-and-crew/|title=Cast and Crew | Before Homosexuals Documentary|access-date=2 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180815224616/http://beforehomosexuals.com/cast-and-crew/|archive-date=15 August 2018}}

Selected publications

Hekma has published widely on the LGBT history in the Netherlands and Europe,{{cite web|url=http://msh.ulb.ac.be/agenda/atelier-genres-et-sexualites-celebrating-150-years-of-homoheterosexuality/|title=Atelier Genre(s) et Sexualité(s) " Celebrating 150 years of homo/heterosexuality "|last1=Hekma|first1=Gert|last2=Takács|first2=Judit|author-link2=Judit Takács|date=26 March 2018|website=Université libre de Bruxelles|access-date=2 February 2019|archive-date=17 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190217200356/http://msh.ulb.ac.be/agenda/atelier-genres-et-sexualites-celebrating-150-years-of-homoheterosexuality/|url-status=dead}} both as a sole author and as a contributing editor.{{cite web|url=https://www.sg.uu.nl/sprekers/gert-hekma|title=Studium Generale: Gert Hekma|date=22 December 2015|publisher=Utrecht University|access-date=2 February 2019|language=Dutch}}{{cite web|url=http://www.glbtq.com/contributors/bio_276.html|title=Contributor Biography: Gert Hekma|website=glbtq.com|access-date=2 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150708020055/http://www.glbtq.com/contributors/bio_276.html|archive-date=8 July 2015}} His publications include scientific works and popular documents. A selection follows.

Homoseksualiteit, een medische reputatie [Homosexuality, a Medical Reputation] (1987)
Goed verkeerd [Rightly Wrong] (1989)
The Pursuit of Sodomy (1989)
De roze rand van donker Amsterdam [The Pink Outskirts of Gloomy Amsterdam] (1992){{cite web|url=https://www.dbnl.nl/auteurs/auteur.php?id=hekm001|title=Gert Hekma|website=Digital Library for Dutch Literature|access-date=4 March 2020|language=Dutch}}{{cite web|url=http://www.meulenhoff.nl/nl/p4c347eec0595f/95775/gert-hekma.html|title=Meulenhoff : Gert Hekma|website=Meulenhoff|access-date=2 February 2019|language=Dutch|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110923083556/http://www.meulenhoff.nl/nl/p4c347eec0595f/95775/gert-hekma.html|archive-date=23 September 2011}}
Homoseksualiteit in Nederland van 1730 tot de moderne tijd [Homosexuality in The Netherlands from 1730 to Modern Times] (2004){{cite web|url=http://worldcat.org/identities/lccn-n88106230/|title=Hekma, Gert|website=WorldCat|access-date=2 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150203162223/http://www.worldcat.org/identities/lccn-n88106230/|archive-date=3 February 2015}}
ABC van perversies [The ABCs of Perversions] (2009)
A Cultural History of Sexuality in the Modern Age (2011)
Sexual Revolutions (2014)

References

External links

[https://web.archive.org/web/20190106010412/http://www.uva.nl/en/profile/h/e/g.hekma/g.hekma.html Profile (2019)] at the University of Amsterdam, via Internet Archive

Category:1951 births

Category:2022 deaths

Category:Dutch anthropologists

Category:Dutch sociologists

Category:Dutch gay writers

Category:Dutch LGBTQ rights activists

Category:People from Bedum

Category:Academic staff of the University of Amsterdam

Category:20th-century Dutch male writers

Category:21st-century Dutch male writers

Category:Dutch biographers

Category:Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam alumni