August 3, 2013
Amsterdam Floods Pink for Gay Pride Festival
Winnie McCroy READ TIME: 1 MIN.
Tens of thousands of festival-goers, many dressed in pink or wearing studded leather, have flocked to Amsterdam Saturday, and rainbow flags are flying from scores of buildings in honor of one of the city's biggest parties: the annual Gay Pride celebration.
The festivities center on a colorful boat flotilla sailing through the city's ancient canals, each with its own theme, pumping out dance music.
Notable floats this year include one critical of Russian President Vladimir Putin; and a boat organized by the Netherlands' soccer association. Former soccer greats, including striker Patrick Kluivert and defender Ronald de Boer, plan to ride along, alongside national team coach Louis van Gaal.
Tolerance for homosexuality is a point of pride in this country, which became the first to legalize gay marriage back in 2001.
Winnie McCroy is the Women on the EDGE Editor, HIV/Health Editor, and Assistant Entertainment Editor for EDGE Media Network, handling all women's news, HIV health stories and theater reviews throughout the U.S. She has contributed to other publications, including The Village Voice, Gay City News, Chelsea Now and The Advocate, and lives in Brooklyn, New York.
