Scherpenheuvel-Zichem First alderman Kris Peetermans (39) is Friday tied the knot stepped with his partner Tim Bens (38). “We had not thought that 17 may is the international day against homophobia and transphobia”, says the couple. “But our marriage is definitely a statement. In the beginning, dare we as a couple in Scherpenheuvel on the street. That should gay be able to do.”
Kris and Tim met in 2014 at Rock Werchter. “There, we got to talking and were both from the same municipality. Or in Scherpenheuvel, a gay scene is? I have no idea. We know a few people who are gay. In any case, we have never been a secret of the need to make that we have a couple of forms.”
Peetermans (Open Vld) is the alderman for Culture, Sport and the self-employed. He is missing at any party, event, carnival or fair in the municipality and is the most beloved politician in Scherpenheuvel-Zichem. At the local elections last year he brought even mayor Manu Claes embarrassed by hundreds of votes to get more.
Adjusting to schema
Tim is a teacher at a college in Antwerp. “I have to adapt to the busy schedule of Kris. He is a public figure, the people want him to see it. in the Evening I often have at home waiting for him, and I stand alone in the household,” says Tim. “But we are together on step if there is something to do. That is part of his job and I am of him.”
“I am grateful that he every day want to do,” says Kris. “In the beginning, when we knew each other I had to a threshold to overcome to be with Tim to come out. But actually we have never been unpleasant remarks. With ‘gay bashing’, we have never been. We want it everywhere.”
“When we 17 may were confirmed as the wedding day, we were not aware that this is an important day for the holebigemeenschap. This makes it the more special. Let it be everywhere and better world, not only in Scherpenheuvel.”