“Make America Gay Again.” Festive atmosphere and political messages at the Pride march in Amsterdam
Marș Pride in Amsterdam, Saturday, July 26, 2025. Credit: Ramon Van Flymen / AFP / Profimedia
Thousands of people gathered on Saturday for the Pride March in Amsterdam, in a festive and political atmosphere, emphasizing the need to defend the rights of the LGBTQ+community, more and more threat to the world, AFP reports.
The march organized by the Pride Amsterdam Foundation has started a week of festivities in the capital of the Netherlands, which will culminate next weekend with a huge parade on the famous channels of the city.
“We have a wonderful Pride, because it takes place on the channels, it is very unique, so it is very well known,” said Ben Thomas from Amsterdam, the holder of the title “Mister Bear 2024” (Mr. Urs), granted to men with a rich facial hair.
“People are no longer aware of the march, because it has turned so much into a party and do not focus so much on the reason we do it,” added Thomas, 44, a teacher for young refugees.
“We are not just here to spend, but we are here to be equal citizens. We are here for our rights!” Ben Thomas said.
“Make America Gay Again”, one of the messages displayed
Dressed in elegant and brightly colored clothes, the demonstrators marched through the center of the city in a festive atmosphere, waving the flags or banners that wrote “Make America Gay Again” (a paraphrase of the slogan of Donald Trump-“Make America Great Again”) or “Protect The Dolls” transgender).
“It is important to be here, to be present. With all the things that happen in the world, it becomes truly scary, especially in America,” said Dani Van Duin, a 44 -year -old IT specialist who identifies as a lesbian woman.
After returning to power in the US, US President Donald Trump reduced many of the rights of Transgender.
However, the situation becomes less comfortable even in the Netherlands, says Van Duin.
“People repeat only hate speeches from the right and no longer think,” she told AFP.
Lina Van Dinther, a 21-year-old student, came to march with two friends to celebrate her Transgender identity.
“And, we hope, to improve the transgender situation in the Netherlands,” she added, wearing a blue, pink and white flag representing her community.
The young woman said that waiting on the lists of a clinic for transition surgery can take up to six years.
“It is a pressing problem that needs to be addressed,” Lina Van Dinther told AFP.
On Saturday, a Pride March was held in Oradea. About 500 people participated in the event, despite the fact that the City Hall rejected the authorization of the event. According to ebihoreanul.ro, the gendarmerie restricted the access of the participants on the Republicii Street, where the initial route had been proposed, redirecting on the side streets, on the grounds that works are held in the area.
