Gay pride Amsterdam 2011
donderdag, 23 juni 2011
I believe I mentioned last time that I like a good party every now and then. I also believe it’s time to be honest. Because I don’t just like a good party every now and then. I simply love it. It just relaxes me. Best immediate stress relief method there is. Simply take your mind off of everything, dance, have a drink, talk with friends and have fun.
To share the best parties with you, here’s another one worthy of a combination with a Short Stay in Amsterdam.
Gay pride may not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of a good party, but please allow me to try and explain why I personally believe this is one of the greatest parties that Amsterdam hosts every year.
Gay pride Amsterdam was celebrated for the first time in 1996. The event takes place this year from 5 through 7 August.
During gay pride there are loads of things to do in Amsterdam. You can find different parties and parades throughout Amsterdam. The highlight of the event is the canal parade (takes place on Saturday 6 August). And the first and foremost, the atmosphere during the party is fantastic.
Here are a couple of reasons why the atmosphere is so wonderful:
- This event is hugely important to gay people. Let me try to explain why. Many people that are gay lived all or a part of their lives hiding their sexuality partially or entirely. Coming out of the closet -and for many leaving a lot of oppression behind them- is something that requires courage and self-consciousness. It takes time to feel comfortable enough to express yourself to the ones close to you. Once
you find the strength to express yourself, you often automatically become a bit more extravagant. This extravaganza does show excessively during the party. It’s a bit crazy maybe, maybe even too crazy for some of you. But if you appreciate the reason, you will hopefully enjoy it more. - The word pride is the opposite of shame. Throughout history shame has been used to control and oppress LGBT persons. And gay pride is the occasion where gay people show their pride to the whole world.
I think that these are ingredients to make this one of the best parties in Amsterdam.
As a formality I'd also like to tell you that you are my guests, and sometimes come from locations or beliefs that are less open to homosexuality. I do not write about the Gay Pride to offend you, I write only to invite you.
So, let’s head back to the party.
I am actually discussing the gay pride with some of my heterosexual colleagues, and they also say that this is really a party for everyone, definitely also for heterosexual people.
Therefore, here’s a very short list of places to visit during gay pride:
- There are street parties everywhere, however these are the key areas for the 5th and the 6th of August:
- The east harbor has loads of parties.
- Reguliersdwarsstraat is the place to be for the young & the trendy
- The Amstel has a local crowd- that is mainly Dutch
- Westermarkt and Paardenstraat- more women oriented
- Thorbeckeplein: popular crowd
- Amstelveld. More of a straight crowd is to be found here.
- Canal Pride.
For a full agenda, check here: http://www.amsterdamgaypride.nl/agenda/. On the right side of the page you get a quick overview of the main events.
I hope you'll have a fantastic time!
With kind regards,
Ingmar Sloothaak
General Manager
Htel Serviced Apartments
