On August 1, we’ll be participating in the Canal Parade at WorldPride Amsterdam. Our boat won’t be filled with partygoers, but with homeless people, surrounded by a few tents and other makeshift sleeping spots, to highlight that in Amsterdam alone, there are about 3,000 queer people who are homeless or without a place to call home.
A lack of acceptance from family and religious communities often forces people to flee their homes, leaving them with nowhere to turn. 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 more specialized shelter services for queer people absolutely essential.
A boat that showcases activism
The goal of our “silent” protest boat was to illustrate the daily reality faced by many people and, in doing so, draw attention to the large number of homeless and house-less queer individuals. We very deliberately chose this day to speak out about something very important, in part to emphasize the need for more specific assistance and shelter for queer people.
Second Place for “Best Statement” at WorldPride
This earned us second place in the “Best Statement” category at the WorldPride Amsterdam Canal Parade—a great achievement. Jury member Cornald Maas was clearly impressed by De Regenboog Groep’s float during the Parade: “That’s a float that passes by in total silence. It honors all queer people in Amsterdam who are homeless. They make their statement precisely by choosing silence.” He also emphasized that, for him, Pride is much more than just a party. Our message has been heard.
Credits
De Regenboog Groep’s Pride boat was designed by artist Jan Hoek and the upcycling fashion collective The Patchwork Family, in collaboration with several homeless people staying at our LGBTIQ+ shelter. The advertising agency Dawn helped develop the concept.
One of the slogans on our "silent" protest boat
Scene on the boat: with no home, a tent as a place to sleep
On the sidelines at the WorldPride Amsterdam Canal Parade
Our Support Services for Queer Individuals
In collaboration with us, special day shelter services for homeless LGBTIQ+ individuals are provided every Monday at the Rita Community Center. Every Thursday, these services are provided at the Makom walk-in centre run by De Regenboog Groep. And at our Princehof walk-in centre, overnight shelter is available daily for LGBTIQ+ individuals.
Freedom
How does it feel to have fled because of your sexual orientation so that you can be your true self and celebrate Pride? We asked Mahmoud Vasefi, who participated as a newcomer in De Regenboog Groep’s LGBTIQ+ buddy project.
Mahmoud: “I fled to the Netherlands years ago. Yes, I’m glad that I can live freely here and be myself. As a gay man, that means the world to me. Being able to celebrate Pride gives me the feeling that I’m seen and accepted. The taste of freedom and liberation is truly special. At the same time, my heart goes out to many of my compatriots in Iran—people who, because of their sexual orientation, or simply because they are different or oppose the ideology of the Islamic Republic, face discrimination, oppression, punishment, and even the risk of the death penalty. That is why Pride is not just a celebration for me, but also a reminder that there are still many people who cannot enjoy the freedom, safety, and human dignity that I have today. From the bottom of my heart, I hope that my sisters and brothers in Iran may one day experience the same.”
Mahmoud is an artist and has created several works for Vogue, including this piece titled “Apple”