At the colorful Pride parade along Amsterdam’s canals, Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten urged young queer people not to hide. Coming out isn’t easy, “but once you take that step, it gets better,” Jetten told the ANP news agency on Saturday at the start of the traditional Canal Pride. The 39-year-old is the Netherlands’ youngest prime minister and the first to openly live as gay (TheColu.mn reported).
The parade, with 80 festively decorated boats — one of the highlights of this year’s WorldPride — was, he said, a wonderful festival full of freedom and fun. At the same time, it was important to protest against hostility. “That was evident in the attack in Berlin last week.” The acceptance of the LGBTI community is under pressure worldwide, Jetten said. “And it’s important to show that today.”
WorldPride makes its debut in the Netherlands
Following the Islamist-motivated attack on Berlin’s CSD a week earlier, Amsterdam had tightened security for the multi-day WorldPride. It is considered the largest event of the global LGBTI community and is taking place in the Netherlands for the first time.
Organizers estimated that around 500,000 attendees were expected for Amsterdam’s boat procession. In securing all Pride events, police, the prosecutors’ office, and the city government would work closely together, said Mayor Femke Halsema. “I have confidence in all the measures we have taken.” Details were not disclosed.
