Amsterdam Pride Founders: 'We Never Thought We'd Need to Be Careful Again'

Siep de Haan and Peter Kramer organized the first Amsterdam Pride in 1996. It was a special moment for the LGBTQ+ community. They didn't want to protest. They wanted to give the city a gift.

The first Pride was a celebration of visibility and pride. The organizers believed in a better future. They thought LGBTQ+ rights would only grow stronger. That sense of hope was very present back then.

But today De Haan and Kramer feel worried. The political situation in Europe is changing rapidly. Right-wing conservative parties are gaining strength everywhere. LGBTQ+ rights face pressure. What seemed normal before isn't anymore.

De Haan says: 'Thirty years ago we never thought we'd be careful again.' Those words sound heavy. They show how the mood has shifted. What seemed won now feels fragile.

Amsterdam Pride has become a major event since then. Hundreds of thousands attend each year. The boat parade on the canals is world-famous. Yet Pride's message isn't just celebration. It's also a political statement.

The founders view the current situation with mixed feelings. They're proud of what Pride became. At the same time they worry about the future. LGBTQ+ people must speak up again. Silence is no longer an option.

Kramer stresses that the community must stay strong. 'We've achieved a lot,' he says. 'But we can't stop.' The fight for equality continues. That was the message in 1996 and still is today.

Amsterdam Pride remains a symbol of freedom and acceptance. But the founders call for vigilance. The world is changing. LGBTQ+ people and allies must stay alert. Together they stand stronger.