Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on August 2, 2025
2 min readLast updated: January 22, 2026
Amsterdam Pride Parade showcased vibrant celebrations and protests, highlighting LGBTQ+ rights and global activism amidst recent crackdowns.
By Charlotte Van Campenhout and Milan Berckmans
AMSTERDAM (Reuters) -Around 80 colorful pride boats sailed through Amsterdam’s World Heritage canals on Saturday in the finale of a week-long celebration in the city that stood in stark contrast to recent crackdowns on LGBTQ+ rights in fellow EU member state Hungary.
While the flotilla is not political, attendees used the occasion to criticise conflicts or world leaders for their stance on LGBTQ+ rights.
Thehany Gilmore, a 43-year-old Dutch-Caribbean dressed in a leather outfit with a whip, said banning of the Budapest pride parade "is a form of oppression."
"People everywhere should have their own pride to be able to represent who they are," she said.
Palestinian flags were spotted among the crowd of revelers, and Dutch police arrested four activists who had jumped in the water to vandalize the Booking.com boat in protest over its listings in settlements in Israeli-occupied territories.
Others criticized U.S. President Donald Trump, whose administration implemented anti-trans policies and cut funding for international aid programs, dealing a setback to HIV prevention efforts in Africa.
Some waved a hybrid U.S./Pride flag, while one boat declared itself a 'Trump-Free Pride Boat' with signs reading 'Trans Rights Are Human Rights.' Another featured mock graveyards and the message 'Trump's Actions Kill. Love Saves Lives,' highlighting fears over U.S. AIDS funding cuts.
"Amsterdam Pride is... about expressing yourself, showing who you are, being grateful for the freedom that we have in Europe. The U.S. really needs to reinvent itself... be more open about people," 40-year-old Michael Jacobs, who hails from Dutch port city Rotterdam, said.
"Don't judge people for who they are. Just love each other."
(Reporting by Milan Berckmans, Charlotte Van Campenhout, Editing by Bill Berkrot)
The Amsterdam Pride parade served as a vibrant celebration of LGBTQ+ rights while also providing a platform for political protest against global leaders and policies that oppress these rights.
Activists criticized various political figures, including U.S. President Donald Trump, and some even jumped into the water to vandalize a corporate boat, highlighting their discontent with certain policies.
Participants expressed their views through colorful displays, hybrid flags, and messages on boats, emphasizing the need for acceptance and love for all individuals, regardless of their identity.
The atmosphere was lively and colorful, with around 80 pride boats sailing through the canals, showcasing a mix of celebration and serious commentary on the state of LGBTQ+ rights globally.
The event highlighted various challenges, including the banning of pride parades in places like Budapest and the impact of anti-trans policies implemented by the Trump administration.
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