“While you’re celebrating Pride, 3,000 queer people in Amsterdam don’t have a permanent roof over their heads.” That is the main message of the boat from De Regenboog Groep, which will be participating in the Canal Parade on Saturday, August 1. With this, the Amsterdam-based foundation is drawing attention to the large number of homeless queer people: through a boat installation that gives visitors to WorldPride 2026 a glimpse into the daily reality of many people.
The boat was designed by artist Jan Hoek and the upcycling fashion collective The Patchwork Family, in collaboration with several homeless individuals from De Regenboog Groep’s LGBTIQ+ shelter.
There is a critical need for specialized support services tailored to the queer community
The lack of acceptance of queerness by family and religious communities often leads to fleeing one’s home and being unable to return to it. As a result, queer people are particularly vulnerable to homelessness. And once on the streets, there are too few safe shelters, and you face a greater risk of exclusion, bullying, violence, and abuse. This is deeply concerning and makes specialized shelters tailored to the queer community urgently needed. Furthermore, queer people are proportionally more likely to become homeless: they make up nearly a quarter of the total number of homeless people, so it stands to reason that social support services must also be organized for them. Every Monday, De Regenboog Groep runs a day shelter for homeless queer people and women at the Rita Community Center, and every Thursday at the Makom walk-in centre. At De Regenboog Groep’s Princehof walk-in centre, overnight shelter is available daily for LGBTIQ+ people. It’s a good start, but much more is needed.
Boot 39
The theme of WorldPride 2026 is “unity.” De Regenboog Groep believes that celebrating together is very important, but true unity, of course, goes beyond that. It also means looking out for one another, taking responsibility, and standing up for those who are at risk of being left behind. Pride is also about emancipation, protest, and caring for those in the most vulnerable positions within the community. It’s the perfect moment to address the issues that aren’t going well. Because only when everyone feels seen, safe, and connected will Pride truly belong to all of us. Come show your support. The De Regenboog Groep float’s starting number is 39, and it will depart between 12:30 p.m. and 1:00 p.m.