UvA & COC Amsterdam launch AmsterdamPinkPanel

How safe do lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transsexuals (LGBT) feel in their neighbourhood? The AmsterdamPinkPanel, a new LGBT research panel set up by the University of Amsterdam and COC Amsterdam, has to answer this question.

The AmsterdamPinkPanel is a collaboration between the Psychology Research Institute of the UvA and the COC Amsterdam. 'In various places at the UvA, research is being done into LGBT-related themes, such as LGBT parenting, experiences with discrimination, or interventions for safe sex. It is often difficult to find suitable respondents for a representative sample. The AmsterdamPinkPanel is changing this', says Agneta Fischer, director of the Psychology Research Institute.

Jan van Asch, chairman of COC Amsterdam: 'It is important for COC Amsterdam that the LGBT group is the primary target of research and not a subgroup as is often the case with large studies. The results of the survey are an important source of information for us to provide independent policy advice and thus give an audible voice to all LGBT people in the city'.

The AmsterdamPinkPanel
LGBT's, not only from Amsterdam and the surrounding area but from all over the Netherlands, can register via www.amsterdaminkpanel.nl sign up for the panel. They will be approached on a regular basis to fill in a questionnaire about LGBT related topics. In the first survey, the panel is asked about how safe they feel in their neighbourhood. Later in the year, studies will follow on issues such as dealing with discrimination and municipal elections.