05 Sep

19:30

Theater De Generator

Middelstegracht 123, Leiden

An open conversation about Pride as Protest and Queer Rage during Canal Pride Leiden. Let's discuss how to turn collective anger into collective change.

Pride? Bitches, we need to talk!

More info & tickets

Queer rage kringgesprek tijdens Canal Pride Leiden

Canal Pride Returns to the Canals of Leiden: Rainbows. Glitter. Corporate logos. Selfies. But... oopsie! When did we forget that Pride is a protest? Theater De Generator is hosting an alternative Pride evening during Canal Pride Leiden. Not a party programme, but an open conversation about Pride as Protest, Queer Rage, and two concrete questions: what are we still angry about, and how do we turn collective anger into collective change? Bring your rage. Bring your joy. Bring your friends.

Canal Pride, Protest & Violence in Leiden

Pride began as a protest against police violence during the Stonewall Uprising. Yet in Leiden, there seems to be no room for protest during Canal Pride. In 2023, young queer and trans activists were forcibly removed from the Catharinabrug by police and arrested during Canal Pride Leiden after attempting to hang a protest banner. Neither Canal Pride nor the municipality has taken responsibility for what happened. In 2024, De Generator created the street performance (Don't) Hit Me Leiden One More Time, reflecting on this incident of police violence and the history of Pride. And last year, students were once again silenced by both the Canal Pride organisation and Leiden University when they tried to voice a small protest from the water, even though, according to the municipality, their protest was entirely permitted.

Community Talk

This evening we will explore the political origins of Pride, the role of protest today, and how we can transform collective anger into solidarity and meaningful change. We want to hear your experiences, frustrations, ideas, and dreams. What challenges do you face as a queer person in Leiden? Which conversations are still missing? And how can we ensure that Pride is not just a celebration for the cameras and the people watching, but also a movement that creates real change? This gathering also marks the launch of the Queer Rage Festival, which will take place in De Generator during Pride Month on 5 June 2027. It will be a participatory festival where theatre, performances, conversations, community, and activism come together around one central question: How do we turn collective anger into collective change?

Everyone is welcome. Whether you're an activist, have never attended a protest, are angry, hopeful, curious, or simply want to listen. There will be no panel on a stage and no experts telling you how things are. Instead, this will be a space where we can imagine the future of Pride together.