I still remember the first time I saw Amsterdam Pride.
There were rainbows everywhere, in the windows, on the boats, in people’s eyes. Music filled the air. People danced along the canals. Everyone looked so proud, so free. But that day, I also learned something important: Amsterdam Pride is not just a party. It’s a story.
A deep story full of struggle, courage, and love.
Let me take you back to where this story began…
Before Amsterdam Pride: The Early Days
Long before the parties and the boats, there was pain, fear and struggle.
In the 1950s and 60s, it was very hard to be gay in the Netherlands. Being different was dangerous. LGBTQ+ people (that means lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and others) were often scared to be themselves. They were not safe at work, in school, or even with their families.
One famous bar, called Café ‘t Mandje, became a small safe space in Amsterdam. It was opened in 1927 by a lesbian woman, Bet van Beeren. She welcomed everyone — gay, straight, poor, rich — anyone who needed a place to be free. This little bar on Zeedijk was one of the first places where people could feel accepted. But it was still risky, because this little bar was watched by police. People were arrested. Some lost jobs. Many lived in silence. Still, people kept meeting, kept dancing, and kept loving — even when the world told them not to.
The 1970s: Voices Begin to Rise
In the 1970s, the LGBTQ+ community in Amsterdam became louder.
Groups like COC Nederland, the world’s oldest LGBTQ+ rights organization, began to grow stronger. They gave support, offered safe places, and started asking for change — in politics, in schools, and in everyday life.
One big moment came in 1977, when thousands of people protested against Anita Bryant — a U.S. singer who spread hate about gay people. When she came to Amsterdam, people stood up and said “No hate here!”. This protest became a very important moment for the Dutch LGBTQ+ movement.
Small Pride events began to appear in the 1980s. These were not big parties, but simple walks and peaceful gatherings. They were serious. They were important. They were marches — a way to say: We are here. We are proud. We want rights. But they were not very big, and they didn’t happen every year.
The 1980s and the HIV/AIDS Crisis
The 1980s brought pain. The world faced a scary new virus: HIV/AIDS. It hit the LGBTQ+ community hard — and with it came more fear and judgment. Many people lost friends and lovers. Hospitals sometimes refused to help. Families often stayed silent. LGBTQ+ people were blamed, shamed, and pushed aside.
But even in this dark time, people fought back. Activists formed care groups, raised money, and demanded help. They said: “Our lives matter. We are human.” Pride events became places of mourning and memory, but also of hope and resistance.
1996: The First Canal Parade
The Pride we know today started in 1996. But interestingly, it wasn’t started by activists. It was started by a group of gay bar owners on Reguliersdwarsstraat — a street famous for LGBTQ+ nightlife.
They wanted to celebrate the freedom in Amsterdam, and they thought, “Let’s do something fun on the canals!” So they made a boat parade — the first Canal Parade. It was colorful, happy, and full of pride. The city was surprised — and people loved it.
But not everyone agreed with the party idea. Some activists were angry. They said Pride should be serious — about human rights, not just fun. So for many years, there was a conflict between those who wanted to party and those who wanted to protest. But slowly, both sides came together. Today, Amsterdam Pride is both — a celebration and a statement.
The Struggles and the Progress
Even though the Netherlands was the first country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage in 2001, things were not perfect. Many LGBTQ+ people still faced discrimination, especially trans people, people of color, refugees, and people from religious families. Some were kicked out of their homes. Others were bullied. Pride became a way to tell their stories.
In 2015, a trans woman named Viva la Glam gave a powerful speech during Pride. She said: “I want people to know that trans lives matter, and we deserve to live freely.”
Pride also became more political. There were boats for people with disabilities, queer refugees, Black queer communities, and many more. It was not just about being seen — it was about being heard.
What Pride Really Feels Like
Now, Amsterdam Pride is one of the biggest Pride events in the world. During Pride, the city feels different. I saw a father hugging his son, both crying, with a rainbow flag around them. I met a man who came out at 70. I saw people from countries where being LGBTQ+ is still illegal — finally dancing freely. These moments stay with you. Pride makes you feel that you belong — no matter who you are.
Final Words: Why Amsterdam Pride Still Matters
Amsterdam is a city of open hearts and open minds. But even here, we still need Pride. People still face hate. Young people still get bullied. LGBTQ+ rights are still not safe everywhere — not even in Europe. There are still countries where being LGBTQ+ is illegal. Still schools where kids are afraid to be themselves. Still people who feel alone. That’s why Amsterdam Pride matters — not just for celebration, but for change.
Want to Feel It for Yourself? Join the Pride Tour Amsterdam with SmartWalk
You don’t need to be LGBTQ+ to go to Pride. Everyone is welcome. Allies, friends, families, tourists — we all walk together. If you visit Amsterdam during Pride, don’t just take photos of the boats. Listen to the stories. Talk to people. Learn something. Feel something. Because Pride is not just one week. It’s a reminder that every human deserves respect, love, and freedom — every single day.
If you want to understand Pride not just with your eyes, but with your heart — you should join Pride Tour Amsterdam with SmartWalk. This walking tour takes you through the real LGBTQ+ history of the city. Your SmartWalk would not just share facts — it would tell you real stories.
