Edwin

Well… “finally I am here!”
I'm Edwin Tromp, 46 years old, and I live with Anton. I have two daughters aged 19 and 21, and Anton loves to play the role of the wicked stepmother.

The reason I want to take part in the competition now is deeply connected to that. I’m pansexual – a realisation that took me quite some time to reach. My life’s journey has taken many detours, full of challenges and growth, ultimately leading to self-acceptance. These experiences have shaped me into who I am today: grounded, with an open heart.
I now work in hospitality with passion, and I feel most fulfilled when people can forget their worries and enjoy themselves – especially when they don’t have that sense of safety at home. I organise FetishKinkUtrecht and Sneaky, and I contribute to LeatherSocialUtrecht and BearNecessity. I’ve also helped with Fetish at Pride Amsterdam, Amsterdam Sportswear Weekend 2024, and several other events.

My many years of coaching training forced me to look deeply at myself. I came from a place where it was “normal” for me to avoid being in photos. Where I could say, without flinching, that I found myself hideous. That I didn’t deserve love. Slowly, through my children, I started to see things differently. Then I met Anton – someone like me, carrying a backpack full of issues – and together we set off on a journey. Through him, I found my way into the bear community. But, as with many spaces before, I didn’t immediately feel at home.

Yet the bear community brought me so close to myself that I initially didn’t dare to embrace it. Over the years, I got to know the people and the diversity within the community – and through them, I got to know myself. Instead of putting on a show or trying to appear “put together”, I found peace – and a sense of belonging – that helped me tap into my own strength. I realised that vulnerability is also a strength, even though it's often seen as a weakness. I’m someone who wants to protect when needed, and love when I can.

That’s why now feels like the right time to join the competition. For me, it’s not about looks or perfection – it’s about realness. About being seen, and seeing others. About building a community where everyone feels at home – especially those who sometimes feel they don’t quite belong. I want to be a face for everyone who has confronted themselves, and now dares to live with pride. Despite all the challenges, our community has every right to be proud – of both the community itself and of who we are as individuals.

I still see many people moving in and around our community, who don’t fully feel they belong. In my year as Mister, I want to create space to be different – and organise events in various places to bring the bear community together. I want to shine as much light as possible on a community that is both strong as a bear and soft as a teddy. For ourselves, and for those who need it.