Gay Capital

There is no better and safer city in the world for people with a homosexual orientation than Amsterdam. It has always been a safe haven for people who were prosecuted for centuries because of their beliefs or their way of life, and it’s not surprising that Amsterdam became of the most tolerant cities for homosexual people as early as the 19th century. As a result, Amsterdam is still considered to be a city where openness and tolerance are of the utmost importance.

Equal treatment for homosexuals was born in Amsterdam, and the city can be seen as the birth place of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights. Homosexuality stopped being illegal in 1811 and the first gay bar followed in 1927. One of the world’s first gay rights organizations, the COC, was established in Amsterdam in 1946.

Gay monument

In memoriam for all gay people who were killed during the Second World War, the first gay monument was unveiled in 1987. Amsterdam became the first city, together with some North-American cities to organize the Gay Games in 1998. And because Holland was the first country in the world where marriage between gay couples was legalized in 2001, the mayor of Amsterdam became the first person in the world to officiate marriages between gay and lesbian couples.

The tradition continues... and crosses over into America

Today, Amsterdam is a favorite destination for many gay people. The Amsterdam Pride celebrations of 2009 included an initiative called ‘I do’ where the mayor of Amsterdam united five couples in matrimony. The first couple was a Dutch and an American person. This milestone was used to promote openness and tolerance in Amsterdam as well as the former New Amsterdam, more commonly known as New York. It was part of the NY400 remembrance ceremonies. The vice mayor of Amsterdam, Caroline Gehrels, herself married to a person of the same sex, participated in the Gay Pride celebrations in New York in June 2009, to support the two cities’ joint responsibilities as famous gay-friendly cities.

Where do you stay, eat, drink and play?

Gay and transgender visitors don’t have to be on the look-out for hotels with pink flags. All hotels, restaurants and bars are extremely tolerant. You’ll feel the sincere tolerance towards homosexuals throughout the city.