Amid the vibrant celebrations of Amsterdam Pride week, COC Nederland, the country's oldest LGBTQ+ advocacy group, has published a pointed opinion piece challenging the new Dutch government to address a growing gap between the Netherlands' progressive reputation and its current legislative reality.
In an article published in Het Parool, COC chairpersons Astrid Oosenbrug and Marie-Louise van der Kloot argue that hosting WorldPride in Amsterdam in 2026 presents a critical deadline for the government to enact long-stalled legal protections and restore the country's position as a leader in LGBTQ+ rights.
From Pioneer to Mid-Pack
The Netherlands was famously the first country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage in 2001, cementing its image as a global pioneer. However, the COC points to the annual ILGA-Europe 'Rainbow Map' as evidence of a significant backslide. This index, which ranks 49 European countries on their legal and policy situation for LGBTQ+ people, currently places the Netherlands at 14th.
This drop in ranking, the COC argues, is not due to a single issue but a series of legislative failures and delays on key topics affecting the community.
A Legislative To-Do List
The organization outlines several critical pieces of legislation that it urges the new cabinet, which includes openly gay minister Rob Jetten, to prioritize. The key demands include:
- A Ban on 'Conversion Therapy': A legal prohibition on practices aimed at changing a person's sexual orientation or gender identity, which has been debated for years without becoming law.
- Modernizing Legal Gender Recognition: Reintroducing and passing legislation, previously known as the 'transgender law', to make it easier for transgender and non-binary individuals to have their gender legally recognized without requiring a medical expert's statement.
- Constitutional Protections: Explicitly adding non-binary and intersex people to Article 1 of the Constitution, which guarantees equal treatment and prohibits discrimination.
- Multi-Parent Law (Meerouderschap): Introducing a law that would allow for the legal recognition of more than two parents, reflecting the reality of many modern families.
WorldPride 2026 as a Catalyst
With the global spotlight set to fall on Amsterdam for WorldPride 2026, the COC frames the event as more than just a celebration. They see it as a moment of accountability. The message is clear: the Netherlands cannot welcome the world to celebrate freedom and equality while its own legal framework for LGBTQ+ citizens remains incomplete.
The call to action is a direct appeal for the government to move beyond symbolic gestures and deliver concrete policy changes. The goal, as stated by the COC, is for the Netherlands to have a rights record worthy of a WorldPride host by the time the opening ceremonies begin.
You can read the original opinion piece in Dutch at Het Parool.
