Timed ahead of several milestones, including WorldPride in 2026, the initiatives will explore the evolution of queer life in the Dutch capital. The primary source for both projects is the extensive collection of IHLIA LGBTI Heritage, which serves as the main archive for queer history in the Netherlands and one of the largest in the world.
Exhibition: 'Queer Amsterdam' at De Nieuwe Kerk
Opening on July 9th, the exhibition Queer Amsterdam, de roze stad (The Pink City) at De Nieuwe Kerk will bring this history to a wide audience. As the main lender and partner, IHLIA is providing a significant number of artifacts, documents, and images from its collection.
The exhibition will cover key moments in the city's emancipation struggle, from the early activist movements of the 1960s and 70s to contemporary community initiatives. According to the organizers, the goal is to make visible a history that often went undocumented in mainstream records, highlighting the people and places that defined the community's journey.
Book: 'Queer Amsterdam | Atlas of the Pink City'
Complementing the exhibition is the book Queer Amsterdam – Atlas van de roze stad, set for release on July 8th. Authored by Paul Mosterd and Wilfred van Buuren, the book functions as a historical and geographical guide to the city's queer past.
It promises to tell stories from across the centuries, including a notable same-sex marriage in the 1600s, the evolution of nightlife and club culture, and pivotal moments in activism. The book will also feature significant recent events, such as comedian André van Duin's 2021 Remembrance Day speech on Dam Square. The atlas will be heavily illustrated with material from the IHLIA collection, providing a visual record of the community's presence in the city.
These projects arrive as the community looks toward several anniversaries: 2026 will mark 25 years since the Netherlands legalized same-sex marriage, while Pride Amsterdam celebrates its 30th year and the COC its 80th. Together, the exhibition and book offer a moment of reflection on the path that led to these milestones.
Event Details:
- Book Release: Queer Amsterdam – Atlas van de roze stad will be available from July 8, 2024.
- Exhibition: Queer Amsterdam, de roze stad opens at De Nieuwe Kerk on July 9, 2024.
