Netherlands hosts inaugural Amstelveen Pride and Black Pride Festival

Amstelveen held its first LHBTI‑plus‑sponsored Pride event, opened by councilors Floor Gordon and Marijn van Ballegooijen at Villa Randwijck. The ceremony featured a new rainbow‑colored zebra crossing, a diversity café in the local community centre, and the presentation of the bilingual book “De ruimte die wij delen”. Councilor Gordon celebrated the new crossing, saying, “Wij hebben een nieuw zebrahad.”

In Amsterdam, the Black Pride Festival Europe launched as a counterpoint to WorldPride, offering a safe space for the Black queer community. The two‑day programme, beginning on 4 August, includes a Black Pride Market, a conference with speakers such as Lady Phyll and Kenya Hutton, and Caribbean‑inspired celebrations like Cuntdown and Pon Di Pride. Organisers highlighted the festival’s role in healing and visibility, noting, “We staan op de schouders van de reuzen…Amsterdam is er klaar voor.” Fifty‑five community tickets are priced at €5 to keep the event affordable.