Amsterdam is notorious for legalized sex work and, perhaps more specifically, its Red Light District but what you may not have known are the numerous other laws around and celebrations of sexuality in Amsterdam that are notable and unique. In many ways, Amsterdam is considered the birthplace of LGBTQ+ rights. For instance, homosexuality was decriminalized in 1811, the first gay bar was established in 1927, and the COC Nederland, one of the world’s first gay rights organizations was founded in Amsterdam in 1946. In comparison, the first US state decriminalized homosexuality in 1962, 151 years later than Amsterdam! By 2001, Amsterdam became the first country to legalize same-sex marriage; today there are only 29 countries where same-sex marriage is legal.
Celebrations of Sexuality in Amsterdam
Pink Saturday
Beginning in 1979, every last Saturday in June is dedicated to the International Gay Liberation and Solidarity Day, known as “Pink Saturday” in the Netherlands. Each year, a different city hosts this demonstration to recognize the need for more emancipation internationally. In 1994, a shocking 67,000 visitors flocked to Amsterdam for Pink Saturday, which landed on the final day of EuroPride week.
Pride Amsterdam Canal Parade
In 1996, Pride Amsterdam commenced, but , unlike other pride celebrations, this one did not have any political or emancipatory agenda, rather, Pride Amsterdam was about celebrating the freedom and diversity of Amsterdam and promoting it as a gay nightlife city. The Canal Parade, featuring boats and floats of all different sizes, became a highlighted event of the now 9-day-long festival. Since 2001, Pride Amsterdam has chosen a different theme each year. The first theme was “Tolerance,” and it was the first time the parade had boats featuring Arab and Jewish communities. Other themes include “This is my Pride,” “Reflect,” Listen,” “Share,” and “Remember the past, create the future,” last year’s theme was “My gender, my Pride,” and finally, this year’s theme will be “You are included.” If you’re planning a trip to Europe anytime soon, line it up with Pride Amsterdam for an unforgettable time of celebration. Visit their website to learn more about it!
TranScreen
Every two years, Amsterdam holds a four-day film festival showcasing a diverse, carefully curated array of documentaries, and short feature films to promote positive awareness about transgender and gender-diverse people (TGD). This event is the largest transgender film festival in Europe. Not only do the films have a social message about celebrating gender diversity, but TranScreen itself is a public, safe, and secure space where gender diversity is the norm. People from all over, regardless of gender identity and sexual orientation, come together, learn from one another, from the films, and celebrate each other. This year, the festival is May 18-21st, check out their website here if you want to learn more!
While these celebrations of sexuality in Amsterdam are remarkable and distinct, and provide an empowering space for individuals to express their identities, this does not make the city exempt from critique. This article is not seeking to prove a point; Amsterdam is not a queer utopia. It’s essential to acknowledge that many of these celebrations of sexuality center around whiteness. Institutionalized, systemic racism is present in Amsterdam, much like every other city. These interlocking systems of power target, as they do in our country, queer, gender-diverse people of color. Thankfully, Amsterdam has already done much of the groundwork for an equal society and the city will continue to evolve as a progressive leader that celebrates and promotes diverse expressions of gender and sexuality while also ensuring that they are doing its part to create a more just and equitable society.
Written by Sage Reynolds.