DutchNews.nl - Young people say gay parade is embarrassing

Hundreds of thousands of spectators are expected to watch Saturday's Gay Pride parade through Amsterdam's canals. Last year some half a million crowded into the city centre to observe the spectacle which attracts supporters from around the world.

But not everone is happy with the event. Two-thirds of young people feel the extravaganza gives a false image of homosexuality and does not promote gay emancipation, according to a survey by the current affairs tv programme Een Vandaag earlier this week, reports Trouw.

Some 40% of the 1,600 heterosexual and 400 homosexual young people questioned said the parade is an 'embarrassment'. But almost 90% said they would not have a problem if their boss or teacher was gay.

Meanwhile, Amsterdam's shops, hotels and cafes are looking forward to higher turnovers throughout the weekend. Figures from the Amsterdam tourist bureau (ATCB) say gay tourists spend 30% more than other categories of visitors to the city.

The boat parade, which is being held for the 14th time, is the highlight of the Gay Pride activities which run until Sunday. This year's event will include soldiers in uniform and Christian Democrat (CDA) politicians for the first time.

As last year, Labour minister Plasterk, who is responsible for the government's policies on gay emancipation, will take part again this year.

And the NRC reports that 30 well-known sports personalities - including footballers Pierre van Hooijdonk and Aaron Winter and former hockey player Minke Booij - will also sail in the parade on Saturday.

Meanwhile Amsterdam mayor Job Cohen is to conduct the marriage of five homosexual and lesbian American-Dutch couples during the parade as a signal to the US, the paper says.

I love Job Cohen! I'm not a homosexual, but i support the right for two humans who love each other to express that love through marriage. Go Job Cohen! Way to show us American's what it truly means to love & accept all people.

By jj blood | July 31, 2009 5:51 PM

"Some 40% of the 1,600 heterosexual and 400 homosexual young people questioned said the parade is an 'embarrassment'. " PLEASE SHARE WITH US THE SAMPLING OF THAT STUDY MENTIONED. maybe that part about the remarks of the young that the parade smacks of embarrassment might have been taken out of context....the yearly gay canal parade is just part of life, of having fun. it was my first time to witness it last year and it was a BLAST! my friends and i really enjoyed th festival, the people participating, amsterdam so alive. the rest of the days of the year, gays and everyone else, go back to the grind of earning a living and the flow of everyday life.

By roskriv | August 2, 2009 7:41 PM

40% of those questioned said the parade was an "embarrassment"? I would suggest 100% of those interviewed with asked leading questions!

By Marc | August 3, 2009 1:01 PM

It should be renamed to the gay shame parade!

By sean | August 5, 2009 10:21 AM