Amsterdam Gay Capital
For gays and lesbians Amsterdam is one of the most attractive cities in Europe. Nowhere in the world you will find so many gay attractions per square meter as in the city centre of Amsterdam. Small wonder that Amsterdam became so popular with gay visitors. For centuries ‘Amsterdammers’ have a relaxed and tolerant attitude towards different life styles. “Live and let live” is one of Amsterdam’s favourite sayings.
A city of firsts for gay rights
Amsterdam could be considered the birthplace of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights. Homosexuality was decriminalized here in 1811, and the first gay bar followed in 1927.
One of the world's first gay rights' organisations, the COC, was founded in Amsterdam in 1946.
Homomonument
As a tribute to the many gays and lesbians who lost their lives in World War II, the city unveiled the first-ever Homomonument in 1987. Amsterdam then became the first city outside North America to hold the Gay Games in 1998. And as the Netherlands was the first country in the world to legalise same-sex marriage in 2001, the mayor of Amsterdam officiated the first legal gay and lesbian nuptials here in the capital city.
The tradition continues…and spreads across the pond
Today, Amsterdam continues to reign as one of the world's top destinations for gay and lesbian travel. The 2009 Amsterdam Pride celebrations included an initiative called 'I do', in which the mayor of Amsterdam married five same-sex couples, each consisting of one Dutch and one United States citizen.
The historic event aimed to promote openness and tolerance in both Amsterdam and the former New Amsterdam, New York City, as a part of the NY400 commemorative events. Amsterdam Deputy Mayor Caroline Gehrels, who is a lesbian married to a woman, attended New York's gay pride celebrations in June 2009 to support the two cities' common role as internationally renowned gay-friendly communities.
Where to stay, eat, drink and play
Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) visitors needn't search for rainbow flags to find a hotel, restaurant or bar with an open-minded welcome. Gay-friendliness permeates most every corner of the city.
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