Theme

A WorldPride in Amsterdam is an important milestone, a point on the horizon that we can work towards together. Equal and acquired rights are under pressure in many places and we as the LGBTI community need to make our voices heard in a visible and militant way. Our same-sex civil marriage created a wave, and since then same-sex marriage has been legalised in 29 other countries, including most of the Americas and Western Europe. But the spread is uneven. South Africa is the only country in Africa, and Taiwan is the only country in Asia. In 2026, we want to celebrate the silver jubilee of same-sex marriage and inspire the world once again to stand up for equal rights.

If we want to live in a truly just society, we all need to support each other in the fight for equality. Amsterdam is in the middle of a process to make Pride an intersectional inclusive Pride. Everyone must deal with differences based on skin color, age, beliefs, and class, but the coherence of these differences creates structural advantages or disadvantages. 

The emancipation in the Netherlands is highly advanced, but unfortunately not for everyone. Generally, white cisgender gay man come closest to the norm (the white heterosexual cisgender man with no physical or mental disabilities and with an average income) and after years of struggle, they now have relatively easy lives. This is in stark contrast to the situation of transgender people and LGBs with a non-Western origin and/or strong religious background. Pride’s role is to make these groups more visible, facilitate their empowerment, and encourage emancipation among groups that have been left behind.

The City of Amsterdam also takes the fate of these groups very seriously and is trying to stimulate progress by revising government policy. However, because change must primarily come from within, it is important to let these groups speak for themselves and help them on their path.