On Saturday 10 June 2017, The Hague experienced its first Pride Walk. Hundreds of people walked through the center of the city, with Mayor Pauline Krikke leading the way. The Walk celebrated sexual and gender diversity and the participants showed that everyone in The Hague should be able to be themselves. 

Behind the fantastically exciting brass band Legendairs, a remarkably diverse group followed. From young to old, from native residents of The Hague to LGBT refugees, from gay to transgender and asexuals, everyone seemed to be represented. Under a bright sun, a 25 meter long rainbow flag was carried through the streets. The audience watched enthusiastically, a few spontaneously decided to join in.

The procession was accompanied by the police, including agents from Roze in Blauw. Organizations such as Orpheus, the National Network Bisexuality and the Vobis Foundation (formerly Hindustani) were visibly present. The Swedish Embassy was also represented.

Beforehand was gathered at the International Gay Monument. There was a podium for a number of speakers, including Arnout van Kooij, chairman of COC Haaglanden. Bianca van Guine, who was one of the founders of this Walk, told how she was inspired during a Pride in Rotterdam. She said she would join the fight against exclusion and intolerance. Van Guine also said that he would walk along for all those people who cannot (yet) visibly be themselves. Mayor Krikke emphasized that the city of The Hague belongs to and for everyone. Krikke then clearly enthusiastically followed a large part of the route.

The Walk ended on the Grote Markt, the location of the second The Hague Rainbow Festival.

With the Pride Walk, the LGBTQI community wants to increase the acceptance of sexual and gender diversity in society. LGBTQI stands for Lesbian Women, Gay Men, Bisexuals, Transgenders, Queers and Intersex.

The Pride Walk The Hague was organized by youth organization The Hang-Out 070 in collaboration with COC Haaglanden and other LGBTQI organizations, including the The Hague Rainbow Festival.

This first Walk was so successful that there was immediately talk of a second edition. With this Walk, The Hague has become a bit more beautiful again.

Website: www.pwth.nl
Facebook: www.facebook.com/PrideWalkTH

You cannot reply to this post

Older posts