Rainbow symbols vandalised in Dutch municipalities ahead of WorldPride 2026

An ANP survey of Dutch municipalities found that public rainbow symbols – such as coloured zebra crossings, benches and bike‑path markings – have been deliberately damaged or defaced in at least 29 towns. The questionnaire, answered by 222 of 342 municipalities, showed that 98 municipalities host rainbow crossings or other inclusivity symbols, and roughly 30% of those sites have been targeted.

Examples of the vandalism include tire‑track scratches on crossings in Maastricht, Wijk bij Duurstede and Vlissingen, and anti‑LGBT graffiti with swastikas on rainbow tiles in Hoofddorp. In total, 71 municipalities have at least one rainbow crossing, while 27 have installed alternative symbols such as coloured benches, a multicoloured tunnel in Delft or a rainbow‑coloured staircase in Leeuwarden.

Among the 119 municipalities that currently have no rainbow crossing, 15 indicated that they might consider installing one in the future.