Tens of thousands of well-wishers and party goers packed into central Amsterdam on Saturday for the annual boat parade, the high point of the Amsterdam Pride programme.

In total 80 boats are part of the official flotilla, travelling from the Oosterdok in the eastern docks to the Westerdok, via the Nieuwe Herengracht, Amstel and Prinsengracht.

This year’s theme is #Together and focuses on equal rights for the rainbow community.

Amsterdam Pride putting the Olympics opening ceremony to shame 🌈 #Amsterdam #pride pic.twitter.com/hant95kWr4

— Neil Alexander (@neilalexander_) August 3, 2024

Watch the parade live

Among the more notable boats in the parade are the Roze in Blauw police boat, one representing the Asian queer community and a fetish boat.

Perfect places @PrideAmsterdam #bar #drinks #Pride #loveislove #Amsterdam #Pride #CanalParade with 💖Michael pic.twitter.com/rL6UibwNf0

— JustOleg  (@JustOleg) August 3, 2024

Ik wens iedereen een Happy Pride en een moeder die dat met je viert, of dat nou in Amsterdam is of thuis omdat ze er altijd voor je is. Ik had er wel zo’n één en ze maakte deze unieke jas voor mij van een regenboogvlag! Lucky Me! 🏳️‍🌈#pride #prideamsterdam #canalparade #letloverule pic.twitter.com/nGdyIvnFDd

— Erika Zeegers (@erikazeegers) August 3, 2024

Despite the massive turnout, according to new research by television programme EenVandaag, the acceptance of the LGBTQ community in the Netherlands is worsening, with respondents blaming the shift to the right and the conservative religious groupings, both Protestant and Islamic.

“Religious standards are increasingly being seen as normal, which worries me,” one respondent told the programme panel.

In 2020, some 62% of respondents said the situation for the LGBTQ community in the Netherlands was good, but this has now fallen to 47%, the lowest level since 2011.

Researcher Jeroen Kester said that the Netherlands is no longer seen as a pioneer in terms of LGBTQ rights. “Members of the community tell us that not only are other countries overtaking us in terms of legal rights, but the situation on the streets and online is worsening every year,” he said.  

Campaign group COC Nederland has called on the new cabinet to investigate the causes in the downturn of acceptance and to take action.

Emancipation minister Mariëlle Paul said that she plans to do “all it takes” to change the situation and to clarify the reasons why. “I’m told that it is partly down to social media and conservative views,” she said. “I want to have that and other possible causes researched.”