AMSTERDAM – Amid the vibrant celebrations of WorldPride on its home turf, COC Netherlands, the world's oldest continuously operating LGBTQ+ organization, was honored with an International Pride Award for its decades of advocacy work.
The award, presented on Wednesday by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the international LGBTQ+ federation ILGA World, acknowledges the organization's foundational role in the global fight for equality. The jury specifically praised COC for its work in strengthening movements that combat the criminalization, violence, and discrimination faced by LGBTQ+ people worldwide.
A Legacy of 80 Years
Accepting the award, COC director Marie Ricardo paid tribute to the organization's long history, which dates back to its founding in 1946. She described the honor as belonging to "everyone who has devoted themselves to COC and the rainbow community over the past 80 years, and on whose shoulders we stand."
Ricardo added that the recognition serves as both an encouragement for the ongoing work towards full acceptance and a show of support for the community "in these difficult times."
Global Champions for Equality
COC Netherlands was one of five recipients celebrated for their contributions to human rights. The other honorees highlight the global nature of the struggle for equality:
- Mmapaseka Steve Letsike: A Deputy Minister from South Africa, recognized for campaigning for LGBTQ+ rights across southern Africa. Her home city, Cape Town, is set to host the next WorldPride in 2028.
- Marcela Dimonty & Aggie Dennett Harmon: Transgender rights activists from Chile and Uganda, respectively, honored for their dedicated advocacy for transgender people.
- Dr. Satendra Singh: An Indian physician who received an "extraordinary ally" award for his work promoting the view that intersex variations should not be classified or treated as a medical disorder.
The International Pride Awards were first established in 2024 to recognize the vital work of activists and organizations around the world. The ceremony in Amsterdam marks another milestone in acknowledging those who continue to push for a more just and equal world for all.
