The history of Pride begins with the Stonewall riots of June 1969. This was an uprising against police raids of the gay bar Stonewall Inn in New York City. Later a parade was organized in 1970 to commemorate the series of events but also to march for further emancipation of LGBT people.
Decades later, Pride Amsterdam takes place in 1996. Unlike the protest marches in New York, the Amsterdam event was intended to celebrate freedom and diversity in the city. Moreover, the organizers wanted to promote the upcoming sport event for LGBT people - Gay Games.
Gay Pride 1997 at the Prinsengracht
To read further about Pride's history, including other protests and events, take a look at the pages below (in Dutch):
- Amsterdam Gay Pride (WithPride.IHLIA.nl)
- Eerste Nederlandse homoprotest (WithPride.IHLIA.nl)
- Gijsen en de eerste Roze Zaterdag (WithPride.IHLIA.nl)
- Geschiedenis: Gay Pride (Reguliers.net)
(accessed on 21.07.2023)
In 2023 Queer & Pride Amsterdam takes place in the city.
The first week (July 22 - 28) is dedicated to queerness: in all shapes and sizes, in all colours and forms. Values such as social justice, anti-discrimination and (inter)national solidarity are featured in the programming. Queer Amsterdam organises the first week of Queer & Pride Amsterdam.
In the second week (August 1-6), there is plenty of focus on emancipation, culture, sports, celebration and socialising. Pride ends with the world-famous and unique boat parade on Saturday 5 August and the closing party on Dam Square. The Pride Amsterdam Foundation organises the second week of Queer & Pride Amsterdam.