Accessibility Statement Skip Navigation
  • Resources
  • Blog
  • Journalists
  • +44 (0)20 7454 5110
  • Client Login
  • Send a Release
Return to PR Newswire homepage
  • News
  • Products
  • Contact
When typing in this field, a list of search results will appear and be automatically updated as you type.

Searching for your content...

No results found. Please change your search terms and try again.
  • News in Focus
      • Browse News Releases

      • All Public Company News
      • All Multimedia News
      • View All News Releases

      • Regulatory News

      • D/A/CH Regulatory News
      • UK Regulatory News
      • View All Regulatory News

  • Business & Money
      • Auto & Transportation

      • Aerospace & Defense
      • Air Freight
      • Airlines & Aviation
      • Automotive
      • Maritime & Shipbuilding
      • Railroads & Intermodal Transportation
      • Supply Chain/Logistics
      • Transportation, Trucking & Railroad
      • Travel
      • Trucking & Road Transportation
      • View All Auto & Transportation

      • Business Technology

      • Blockchain
      • Broadcast Tech
      • Computer & Electronics
      • Computer Hardware
      • Computer Software
      • Data Analytics
      • Electronic Commerce
      • Electronic Components
      • Electronic Design Automation
      • Financial Technology
      • High Tech Security
      • Internet Technology
      • Nanotechnology
      • Networks
      • Peripherals
      • Semiconductors
      • View All Business Technology

      • Entertain­ment & Media

      • Advertising
      • Art
      • Books
      • Entertainment
      • Film & Motion Picture
      • Magazines
      • Music
      • Publishing & Information Services
      • Radio & Podcast
      • Television
      • View All Entertain­ment & Media

      • Financial Services & Investing

      • Accounting News & Issues
      • Acquisitions, Mergers & Takeovers
      • Banking & Financial Services
      • Bankruptcy
      • Bond & Stock Ratings
      • Conference Call Announcements
      • Contracts
      • Cryptocurrency
      • Dividends
      • Earnings
      • Earnings Forecasts & Projections
      • Financing Agreements
      • Insurance
      • Investments Opinions
      • Joint Ventures
      • Mutual Funds
      • Private Placement
      • Real Estate
      • Restructuring & Recapitalisation
      • Sales Reports
      • Shareholder Activism
      • Shareholder Meetings
      • Stock Offering
      • Stock Split
      • Venture Capital
      • View All Financial Services & Investing

      • General Business

      • Awards
      • Commercial Real Estate
      • Corporate Expansion
      • Earnings
      • Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG)
      • Human Resource & Workforce Management
      • Licensing
      • New Products & Services
      • Obituaries
      • Outsourcing Businesses
      • Overseas Real Estate (non-US)
      • Personnel Announcements
      • Real Estate Transactions
      • Residential Real Estate
      • Small Business Services
      • Socially Responsible Investing
      • Surveys, Polls & Research
      • Trade Show News
      • View All General Business

  • Science & Tech
      • Consumer Technology

      • Artificial Intelligence
      • Blockchain
      • Cloud Computing/Internet of Things
      • Computer Electronics
      • Computer Hardware
      • Computer Software
      • Consumer Electronics
      • Cryptocurrency
      • Data Analytics
      • Electronic Commerce
      • Electronic Gaming
      • Financial Technology
      • Mobile Entertainment
      • Multimedia & Internet
      • Peripherals
      • Social Media
      • STEM (Science, Tech, Engineering, Math)
      • Supply Chain/Logistics
      • Wireless Communications
      • View All Consumer Technology

      • Energy & Natural Resources

      • Alternative Energies
      • Chemical
      • Electrical Utilities
      • Gas
      • General Manufacturing
      • Mining
      • Mining & Metals
      • Oil & Energy
      • Oil & Gas Discoveries
      • Utilities
      • Water Utilities
      • View All Energy & Natural Resources

      • Environ­ment

      • Conservation & Recycling
      • Environmental Issues
      • Environmental Policy
      • Environmental Products & Services
      • Green Technology
      • Natural Disasters
      • View All Environ­ment

      • Heavy Industry & Manufacturing

      • Aerospace & Defence
      • Agriculture
      • Chemical
      • Construction & Building
      • General Manufacturing
      • HVAC (Heating, Ventilation & Air-Conditioning)
      • Machinery
      • Machine Tools, Metalworking & Metallurgy
      • Mining
      • Mining & Metals
      • Paper, Forest Products & Containers
      • Precious Metals
      • Textiles
      • Tobacco
      • View All Heavy Industry & Manufacturing

      • Telecomm­unications

      • Carriers & Services
      • Mobile Entertainment
      • Networks
      • Peripherals
      • Telecommunications Equipment
      • Telecommunications Industry
      • VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol)
      • Wireless Communications
      • View All Telecomm­unications

  • Lifestyle & Health
      • Consumer Products & Retail

      • Animals & Pets
      • Beers, Wines & Spirits
      • Beverages
      • Bridal Services
      • Cannabis
      • Cosmetics & Personal Care
      • Fashion
      • Food & Beverages
      • Furniture & Furnishings
      • Home Improvement
      • Household, Consumer & Cosmetics
      • Household Products
      • Jewellery
      • Non-Alcoholic Beverages
      • Office Products
      • Organic Food
      • Product Recalls
      • Restaurants
      • Retail
      • Supermarkets
      • Toys
      • View All Consumer Products & Retail

      • Entertain­ment & Media

      • Advertising
      • Art
      • Books
      • Entertainment
      • Film & Motion Picture
      • Magazines
      • Music
      • Publishing & Information Services
      • Radio & Podcast
      • Television
      • View All Entertain­ment & Media

      • Health

      • Biometrics
      • Biotechnology
      • Clinical Trials & Medical Discoveries
      • Dentistry
      • FDA Approval
      • Fitness/Wellness
      • Health Care & Hospitals
      • Health Insurance
      • Infection Control
      • International Medical Approval
      • Medical Equipment
      • Medical Pharmaceuticals
      • Mental Health
      • Pharmaceuticals
      • Supplementary Medicine
      • View All Health

      • Sports

      • General Sports
      • Outdoors, Camping & Hiking
      • Sporting Events
      • Sports Equipment & Accessories
      • View All Sports

      • Travel

      • Amusement Parks & Tourist Attractions
      • Gambling & Casinos
      • Hotels & Resorts
      • Leisure & Tourism
      • Outdoors, Camping & Hiking
      • Passenger Aviation
      • Travel Industry
      • View All Travel

  • Policy & Public Interest
      • Policy & Public Interest

      • Animal Welfare
      • Corporate Social Responsibility
      • Economic News, Trends & Analysis
      • Education
      • Environmental
      • European Government
      • Labour & Union
      • Natural Disasters
      • Not For Profit
      • Public Safety
      • View All Policy & Public Interest

  • People & Culture
      • People & Culture

      • Aboriginal, First Nations & Native American
      • African American
      • Asian American
      • Children
      • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
      • Hispanic
      • Lesbian, Gay & Bisexual
      • Men's Interest
      • People with Disabilities
      • Religion
      • Senior Citizens
      • Veterans
      • Women
      • View All People & Culture

  • Overview
  • Distribution
  • Paid Placement
  • Multichannel Amplification
  • Disclosure Services
  • SocialBoost
  • Rooms
    • MediaRoom
    • ESG Rooms
  • AI Tools
  • General Enquiries
  • Media Enquiries
  • Partnerships
  • Hamburger menu
  • Cision PR Newswire UK provides press release distribution, targeting, monitoring, and marketing services
  • Send a Release
    • Phone

    • +44 (0)20 7454 5110 from 8 AM - 5:30 PM GMT

    • ALL CONTACT INFO
    • Contact Us

      +44 (0)20 7454 5110
      from 8 AM - 5:30 PM GMT

  • Client Login
  • Send a Release
  • Resources
  • Blog
  • Journalists
  • News in Focus
    • Browse News Releases
    • Regulatory News
  • Business & Money
    • Auto & Transportation
    • Business Technology
    • Entertain­ment & Media
    • Financial Services & Investing
    • General Business
  • Science & Tech
    • Consumer Technology
    • Energy & Natural Resources
    • Environ­ment
    • Heavy Industry & Manufacturing
    • Telecomm­unications
  • Lifestyle & Health
    • Consumer Products & Retail
    • Entertain­ment & Media
    • Health
    • Sports
    • Travel
  • Policy & Public Interest
    • Policy & Public Interest
  • People & Culture
    • People & Culture
  • Client Login
  • Send a Release
  • Resources
  • Blog
  • Journalists
  • Overview
  • Distribution
  • Paid Placement
  • Multichannel Amplification
  • Disclosure Services
  • Cision Communications Cloud®
  • AI Tools
  • Client Login
  • Send a Release
  • Resources
  • Blog
  • Journalists
  • General Enquiries
  • Media Enquiries
  • Partnerships
  • Client Login
  • Send a Release
  • Resources
  • Blog
  • Journalists

Amsterdam Gay Pride 2013


News provided by

ProGay

03 Apr, 2013, 15:34 GMT

Share this article

Share toX

Share this article

Share toX

AMSTERDAM, April 3, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

Event: 18th edition of Amsterdam's world-leading Gay Pride

Location: Indoor and outdoor venues all over Amsterdam

From: 27 July to 4 August 2012

Described last year by news organisation CNN as one of 'the best picks around the world for celebrating Pride', Amsterdam Gay Pride is one of those events that seems to embody the spirit and character of its iconic location. Still the only Gay Pride parade on Earth to take place on the water, this event is, for many Amsterdammers - and increasingly for visitors in the know - the highlight of the summer's cultural agenda in a city that knows how to party and has much to celebrate. For revellers of all stripes, the parade and the host of other Amsterdam Gay Pride events represent the perfect opportunity to explore and delight in a city that's treasured internationally for its unique spirit of tolerance and diversity.

Amsterdam Gay Pride 2013: A Bigger Splash!

One of the very biggest public events in the Netherlands, the 18th edition of Amsterdam Gay Pride has a special significance - happening, as it does, in an auspicious landmark year for the city. 2013 is the year that the city of Amsterdam celebrates the 400th anniversary of its magnificent canal network, with a host of exhibitions and ceremonies commemorating the importance of these waterways for Amsterdam's place in the world. Of course, Amsterdam Gay Pride culminates in the celebratory Canal Pride parade, whereby organisations and partygoers take to the stately Prinsengracht canal for one jubilant afternoon. What better way to enjoy the waters that have connected Amsterdam with the world?

This year's theme: Reflect

The starring role of the shimmering canal network in Amsterdam's history was the ideal starting point for this year's Amsterdam Gay Pride theme: 'Reflect'. Culminating in the party weekend of 2-4 August, this year's Amsterdam Gay Pride will be bigger than ever. But the event and its significance have grown in more ways than just in terms of its scale.

Irene Hemelaar, executive director of ProGay, the association that organises Amsterdam Gay Pride, notes that 'this year's Amsterdam Gay Pride is something of a meditation, albeit it a jubilant one: 2013 is a big year for Amsterdam; it is the year that we celebrate 400 years of the canals that have brought the city such prosperity, and opened it up to the world as a place for people of all backgrounds, ethnicities and walks of life to come together. We will take the opportunity to look back on how far the LGBT community has come during this remarkable period. And we will shine like never before!'

A history to cherish

It goes without saying that Amsterdam has a rich gay tradition. The first gay bar opened here in 1927 (Café 't Mandje, still open today at Zeedijk 63) and the planet's first gay marriages happened in Amsterdam's City Hall in 2001. The COC Netherlands has been advocating the rights of lesbian women, gay men, bisexuals and transgenders since 1946, and is one of the few LGBT organizations that enjoys special consultative status within the United Nations.

A future to secure

Things keep moving, and welcome additions to gay life in Amsterdam include new bars, such as the lesbian-run Café Bordó in the Nieuwe Nieuwstraat. On a wider level, Dutch Minister for gender and LGBT emancipation, Jet Bussemaker, points to the Netherlands' hosting of a major international conference on the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia in May: 'The Netherlands has a progressive character, but even today, lesbian women, gay men, bisexuals and transgenders are experiencing discrimination, violence and unequal rights,' she says. Although Bussemaker points out that 'individuals, businesses and institutions have a responsibility to help improve the situation,' she believes that Government also has a part to play, and is looking forward to participating in the Amsterdam Gay Pride 2013 festivities: 'This year there will again be an official cabinet boat in the Canal Parade. It has a very special theme, but that's all I'm allowed to say for now!'

FAST FIGURES: AMSTERDAM GAY PRIDE IN NUMBERS

350,000 visitors to the Canal Pride parade annually - 45,000 visitors during 4 days of street parties - 98 outdoor bars - 200,000 beers - 4 football pitches of dance floor - 10 outdoor stages - 3,000,000 beats - 120 different events in 9 days.

A RAINBOW OF A PROGRAMME

Amsterdam Gay Pride has much more to offer than just the Canal Pride parade:

- Street Parties

The evening of Friday 2 August is when Amsterdam's LGBTs and friends hit the atmospheric cobbled streets for open-air celebrations and wild dancing. Choose your scene, from the hip, young vibe of the Reguliersdwarsstraat to the Dutch carnival atmosphere near the Amstel river.

- Grey Pride

A series of events, from debates to cabaret, geared towards a mature crowd. http://www.roze50plus.nl

- Drag Queen Olympics

Friday August 2: Featuring gruelling disciplines like the Handbag Toss and the High Heel Sprint, this bedazzling sporting contest on the Homomonument is something of an Amsterdam Gay Pride institution.

For full, updated event listings visit http://www.weareproud.nl

Follow us on Twitter @we_are_proud

AMSTERDAM: GAYCATION DESTINATION

Amsterdam is the perfect place for a gay-flavoured long or short break, with a host of friendly and characterful gay neighbourhoods to explore…

Gaybourhood #1: Homomonument

Karin Daan's three-sectioned pink triangle - symbolising past, present and future - was a world first. It's also a place to celebrate and be proud: for Amsterdam Gay Pride, it gets annexed as an open-air disco, and the site of the world-famous Drag Queen Olympics. The Pink Point hut offers year-round information and souvenirs, and the nearby Anne Frank House offers another opportunity to reflect on the meaning of freedom.

Gaybourhood #2: Warmoesstraat/Zeedijk

The long and narrow Warmoesstraat is the oldest street in town, and it's home to leather bars, sex shops and Getto, a friendly café where the burgers are named after drag queens. Among the Asian eateries of nearby Zeedijk, you'll find Café 't Mandje, Amsterdam's - perhaps the world's - oldest gay and lesbian bar. Nearby, The Queen's Head pub is known for its colourful and cosy bingo nights.

Gaybourhood #3: Reguliersdwarsstraat

Practically every bar and shop on the strip between the Koningsplein and the Vijzelstraat is broadly painted with the pink brush, including awesome new Club NYX. Named after the Greek goddess of the night, this cool kids' mecca makes liberal use of graffiti, glitter and concrete. Just down the road, spacious bar Dvwars is a grown-up drinking den for Amsterdam's new army of cocktail-loving sophisticates.

Gaybourhood #4: Kerkstraat
Home to gay hotels such as the ever-popular 'Hotel Amistad', and the outrageous Club Church, where local drag legend Jennifer Hopelezz holds court with her merry band of ne'er-do-wells.

Gaybourhood #5: Amstel
The scene neighbouring the Amstel river to the east of the centre is light-hearted, friendly and camp, with tiny brown cafes in the traditional Amsterdam mould, but there's the odd slick newcomer, like Club AIR. In business for over 30 years, Vive la Vie on the Amstelstraat is one of the city's most vibrant lesbian venues.

<<PICTURE OF MAYOR EBERHARD VAN DER LAAN>>

Where does Amsterdam stand in terms of Gay rights worldwide? Eberhard van der Laan, the city's mayor since 2010, gives a personal perspective.

1. What does Amsterdam Gay Pride mean to you?

Amsterdam Gay Pride is one of the headline events for our city. It is the celebration of tolerance and it demonstrates what kind of town Amsterdam truly is: diverse, colourful, open and hospitable to all. I've experienced that first hand from my own participation in the Canal Pride parade. It's so heartening to see that the crowd on the banks of the canals has come from all walks of life.

2. Why is Amsterdam Gay Pride so important for the city?

Amsterdam Gay Pride shows that we are open to the world and happy to welcome everyone. Whether heterosexual, bisexual, transgender or homosexual, everyone can be themselves here.

3. What is the defining aspect of Amsterdam Gay Pride for you?

The highlight of Amsterdam Gay Pride is undeniably the Canal Pride parade. A colourful spectacle making full use of the canals that celebrate their 400th anniversary this year, this alone makes Amsterdam Gay Pride a unique proposition. That said, I think the diversity of the participants grows more heartening with each passing year. I'm thinking about the people aboard the Turkish boat, the boat representing our Ministry of Defence, boats representing international companies that have a presence here in Amsterdam… It’s this particular breadth of diversity that makes Amsterdam Gay Pride unique.

It's the diversity that makes the Amsterdam Gay Pride unique.

4. The theme of this year's Amsterdam Gay Pride is 'Reflect'. How does that correspond to the broader 2013 celebrations across the city?

The 400th anniversary of Amsterdam's canal network, along with the anniversaries of several of our cultural icons, has combined to make 'Amsterdam 2013' a year-long celebration. One of the icons is the 225-year old Felix Meritis on the Keizersgracht Canal. In many ways, this Enlightenment institution, steeped in Enlightenment values, holds the DNA of Amsterdam. Inevitably, we occasionally fall short of those values. So it's appropriate that we reflect and take stock on how far we've come, but also on the work that remains. In the true spirit of reflection, we invite LGBT activists from all over the world to come to Amsterdam and exchange their knowledge with the LGBT community of the Netherlands.

5. You've spoken in the past of your desire for a more compassionate city. How is that coming along?

I'm talking about how we treat the poorest and weakest residents of Amsterdam; the dignity and care we afford such people is the litmus test of civilization. The same applies for members of the LGBT community.

(NOT FOR PUBLICATION) INFORMATION FOR MEMBERS OF THE PRESS

Journalists and photographers are invited to apply for accreditation to sail alongside the Canal Pride parade on Saturday 3 August 2013 in a (slow or fast) press boat. Registration via pers@progay.nl on a first come, first served basis. Boarding 13.00 at Westerdok, departure 13.15 sharp. Final destination is the dock outside Hermitage Amsterdam. Further information upon successful application.

On Friday 2 August 3 at 11.00, members of the press are invited to attend an exclusive tour of the docks where boats are being prepared for the Canal Parade, led by Irene Hemelaar, executive director of the ProGay, the organising committee of the Amsterdam Gay Pride. Departure opposite Grasweg 50 in Amsterdam-Noord.

Modal title

Contact PR Newswire

  • +44 (0)20 7454 5110
    from 8 AM - 5:30 PM GMT
  • General Enquiries
  • Media Enquiries
  • Partnerships

Products

  • Content Distribution
  • Multimedia Services
  • Disclosure Services
  • Cision Communications Cloud®

About

  • About PR Newswire
  • About Cision
  • Partnering Opportunities
  • Careers
  • Accessibility Statement
  • APAC
  • APAC - Simplified Chinese
  • APAC - Traditional Chinese
  • Brazil
  • Canada
  • Czech
  • Denmark
  • Finland
  • France
  • Germany
  • India
  • Indonesia
  • Israel
  • Japan
  • Korea
  • Mexico
  • Middle East
  • Middle East - Arabic
  • Netherlands
  • Norway
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • Russia
  • Slovakia
  • Spain
  • Sweden
  • United States
  • Vietnam

My Services

  • All News Releases
  • Customer Portal
  • Resources
  • Blog
  • Journalists
  • Data Privacy

Do not sell or share my personal information:

  • Submit via Privacy@cision.com 
  • Call Privacy toll-free: 877-297-8921

Contact PR Newswire

Products

About

My Services
  • All News Releases
  • Customer Portal
  • Resources
  • Blog
  • Journalists
+44 (0)20 7454 5110
from 8 AM - 5:30 PM GMT
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Information Security Policy
  • Site Map
  • RSS
  • Cookie Settings
Copyright © 2025 PR Newswire Europe Limited. All Rights Reserved. A Cision company.