I finally got around to look at all the photos I took during my visit to Amsterdam last week. About 65 % of all photos are from this years Pride Parade, which was definitely my highlight.
The parade started out with two boats carrying white-dressed colleagues of AIDS campaigners who were killed in the MH17 crash in Ukraine marked the start to the gay parade. Signs reading “Remembering our colleagues on MH17″ and music made this a very emotional start into an otherwise flamboyant party. 80 boats, thousands of spectators along the canals, brilliant costumes and vibrant sounds.
Members of the Aids Fonds organisation pay tribute to the victims of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 at the start of the Amsterdam Canal Parade.
It was my third pride parade this year (after Auckland & Vienna) but I’ve never felt the kind of spirit & energy as I have in Amsterdam. The entire city went along. Hotels & restaurants advertised the parade, rainbow flags hung from several apartment buildings and posters & flags were hung up everywhere. Amsterdam is such an open and tolerant city and I love that!
80 boats started from Westerkerk church down the Prinsengracht.Westerkerk Church was covered in a rainbow flag during the Pride Parade. Something you unfortunately don’t see very often, but in Amsterdam EVERYONE goes along – also the church.The Amsterdam Pride Parade is one of the best and most fun prides in the world.The Amsterdam Pride Parade is fun for everyone – gay and non-gay.About 500.000 people from around the world attended the multicoloured beats-fuelled Pride Parade in historically tolerant Amsterdam.The Amsterdam Pride Parade shows people celebrate equality & freedom together.Even the planes diverted their route to fly over the Amsterdam Canal Parade.Pride Parades are held all across the globe, but Amsterdam is the only city that has the parade on boats.Amsterdam’s reputation of being the “gay capital of the world” is severely tested as thousands of people flood the city.Moroccan and Jewish boats debut at this years Amsterdam Pride Parade.After King’s Day, the Amsterdam Pride Parade is the biggest event in Amsterdam.The Netherlands was the first country in the world to legalise same-sex marriage in 2001. Another reason, why it is such a popular destination for LGBT visitors.Amsterdammers decorate their own boats along the Gracht to celebrate the Amsterdam Pride Parade.Large companies such as Absolute Vodka or Google have started to sponsor the Pride Parade by joining the parade on their own boat.Nowhere in the world you will find so many gay-friendly attractions per square metre as in the city centre of Amsterdam.The Amsterdam Pride Parade tends to have a more profound meaning than just party. Every year boats from a more “controversial” background – like the police or military for example.Amsterdam could be considered the birthplace of LGBT rights. Homosexuality was decriminalized here in 1811.The party crowd didn’t let a little rain get in the way of celebrating the 19th annual Amsterdam Pride Parade.“Live and let live” is one of the city’s favourite sayings.The Amsterdam Pride Parade was my personal highlight during my 4-day visit.
