DE TRUT
HISTORY
At the end of 1985, the non-commercial queer discotheque De Trut started organizing parties in the then squatted Tetterode complex in Amsterdam.
FROM FLUX TO TRUT
On October 17, 1981, the vacant Tetterode complex on the Bilderdijkstraat in Amsterdam was squatted.
The former type foundry and factory for printing machines, where hundreds of Amsterdammers had worked since 1903, is then on the nomination to be demolished. The heavily neglected complex of three high-rise buildings spans the width of an entire block of houses.
Not long after the squatters have moved in, the squatters disco Flux is created in the basement where the letter warehouse used to be. In the early 1980s, the initiators of the Trut were all involved in one way or another in the dyke and fagot struggle and were or felt they were also part of the squatters' scene.
And although the Flux was a squatters disco, many dyke's and fags were also regular visitors. The lack of a place of their own for dyke's and fags became increasingly clear in the Flux.
They wanted to have their own safe place to dance together like dyke and fag and to be themselves in an environment where a dyke and fagot culture is decisive.
The volunteers of the Flux welcomed the ideas of a dyke's and fag's disco and made the space and inventory of the Fluks available for the new initiative.
On December 8, 1985 the first Trut evening was a fact.
After some time the Flux ceased to exist and only the Trut continued as a non-commercial party, run entirely by volunteers.
The squatted building of the former Tetterode type foundry, Bilderdijkstraat in Amsterdam, photo February 1986.
Meanwhile, all buildings of Residential Work Building Tetterode have the status of national monument.
And on Dave Carr Smith's Website you will (really) find a lot of information and photos of the Tetterode complex.
100% VOLUNTARY
Making a profit has never come first in the Trut. A good atmosphere, good music, affordable prices and a safe environment to go crazy together as a dyke, trans or fag has always been paramount from the start up to the present day.
But because all employees work voluntarily and the costs are relatively low, a decent profit can still be made, despite the low price of drinks.
According to the Trut's articles of association, this profit is entirely for the benefit of (small-scale) LGBTQI+ activities worldwide.
That is why, in addition to the association that organizes the parties on Sunday, there is also a foundation that manages and gives away the profits of the association.
FRONT ENTRY CARD FOR THE TRUT ON SUNDAY EVENING FROM 1993
LGBTQI+ CHARITIES
Partly due to the low drink prices, but without advertising, the Trut soon became popular and still is today.
The party is run by a group of about twenty volunteers who not only ensure that the Sunday evening is fun and enjoyable, but also for all other activities that have to be done for a company like De Trut. In de Trut, voluntary does not mean without obligation.
Drinks have to be bought, technical maintenance has to be done, new people have to be found and hired, administrative work has to be done, parties have to be organized.
But last but not least: the profits from the party on Sunday evening must be managed by a committee of at least five volunteers who are part of the Trutfonds Foundation and be spent on charities.
Because the Trut has relatively low costs and is still well attended, we have been able to build up a nice fund to support good causes worldwide.
More information about this can be found at the fund page.
Presentation of the Trutaward 2014 worth € 2,500.00 to Stichting Roze Budyzorg Amsterdam
More history? Then view all Trutposts from 2012 to now.