This year's Amsterdam Gay Pride parade will have, in addition to the traditional wings representing the acronym GLBT, a boat (yes, the parade takes place on canals) for heterosexuals. The intention, according to the organizers, is to alert authorities about the growing homophobia in the Netherlands.
Recently, two cases of prejudice and violence against homosexuals did not deserve, in the view of the Dutch gay movement, due attention from the government. One of the cases happened in the city of Nijmegen. On that occasion, a lesbian couple was attacked over a kiss. The violence was so severe that they had to be hospitalized.
The other assault took place in the Dutch capital itself, considered one of the most advanced and tolerant communities in Europe. “In neither case was the reaction of public opinion significant”, highlights Coos Peterse, organizer of the straight boat.
The celebration of diversity in Amsterdam is scheduled for August 3rd to 5th
