‘Veilig, zichtbaar en geaccepteerd’: A Realist Evaluation of the Queer Emancipation Policy of The Hague

In this exploratory research, the effectiveness of the queer emancipation policy of the city of The Hague is evaluated according to the Realist Evaluation method by Pawson and Tilly (1997). The policy is divided into three pillars of focus: safety, visibility, and acceptance. The evaluation is done by using a CMO model where the policy interventions, the underlying mechanisms, related contexts, and the desired outcomes will be mapped out. In addition to this model, interviews with stakeholders like policymakers and important people from within the LGBTQ+ community are used to provide an in-depth study of why and how some interventions might have been effective and some might have not. While some interventions have been indeed effective, others did not come to fruition due to several contextual reasons. In the conclusion of the research, several recommendations will be provided for the municipality to improve and ensure the effectiveness of its queer emancipation policy.