This past Saturday (July 27), thousands took to the streets of Amsterdam in celebrating the start of the city’s pride week.
Some 15,000 participants engaged with the annual Pride Walk, dedicated to murdered Russian LGBTQ+ activist Jelena Grigorjeva, which started at the Westertoren Homomonument. There, Amsterdam mayor Femke Halsema handed the Frans Banninck Cocq medal (honorary medal of the city of Amsterdam) to Hans Verhoeven stating: “Today Amsterdam Pride is added to the list of intangible heritage. That way we immortalize our Pride. And that is not only an honor, but also an order. It is an order to defend freedom. And one of those defenders is Hans Verhoeven. Hans is not wasting time on the sidelines, but is rolling up his sleeves. Something is keeping him awake and then he comes into action,” recognizing Hans’ initiative to organize the first Europride (1994) in Amsterdam.
The rest of the march, which aims to draw attention to the situation of LGBTQ+ people in countries where being gay is punishable, s the traditional start of the annual pride festivities which will conclude next weekend.
For a glimpse into the 2019 Pride Walk, check out our gallery from the event – HERE
