STORY: Amsterdam’s iconic canals hosted a colourful Pride parade on Saturday (August 2) as participants danced and waved flags on boats through the Dutch capital.

Dozens of decorated boats glided through the city’s historic waterways lined with participants cheering those on the boats and joining in the festivities.

Friends Ferdinand Van de Ven and Rob Beerens said they had come to enjoy the celebration but also to make a statement against a worsening situation for LGBTQ+ people in countries worldwide.

Another participant, Thehany Gilmore, said she wished everyone in the world had "their own pride to represent who they are".

This year’s event came with added anticipation as Amsterdam prepares to host World Pride in 2026. The international LGBTQ+ event is expected to draw even larger crowds and a global spotlight to the city’s commitment to equality and inclusion.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

SHOWS: AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS (AUGUST 2, 2025) (REUTERS - Access all)

1. PRIDE ATTENDEES WATCHING BOAT PASSING IN PRIDE PARADE

2. BOAT LETTING OFF SMOKE, PEOPLE ON BOARD WAVING PRIDE FLAGS

3. BOAT PASSING BY

4. PEOPLE WAVING RAINBOW U.S. FLAG, TRANS PRIDE FLAG AND SIGNS OF U.S. PRESIDENT, DONALD TRUMP, IN DRAG

5. VARIOUS OF AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL BOAT PASSING

6. PEOPLE WATCHING

7. BOAT SAILING IN PARADE

8. RAINBOW FLAGS ON FRONT OF BOAT

9. PEOPLE ON BOAT DANCING

10. PARADE ATTENDEES, FERDINAND VAN DE VEN AND ROB BEERENS, POSING FOR PICTURES

11. (SOUNDBITE) (Dutch) PARADE ATTENDEE, FERDINAND VAN DE VEN, SAYING (ASKED WHY THEY CAME):

"Firstly, out of friendship, to meet each other and to make a statement of yes in the current climate, which feels less safe, so to speak, in order to start a counter-movement."

BEERENS: "But also to celebrate, together with the whole city."

12. VARIOUS OF BOAT WITH DUTCH MILITARY STAFF PASSING WITH SIGN READING (Dutch): "FREEDOM (IS) OUR MISSION"

13. CROWD WATCHING

14. PARADERS ON BOAT SALUTING THE CROWD

15. SPEAKER TALKING TO THE CROWD

16. PARADE ATTENDEE, THEHANY GILMORE, HUGGING HER BOYFRIEND

17. (SOUNDBITES) (English) PARADE ATTENDEE, THEHANY GILMORE, SAYING:

“I think that people everywhere in the world should have their own pride to represent who they are, because it needs to be out in the open. When everything's in the dark, then things get shady and bad things can happen. So when you're the minority, especially with me, with leather and being from the Caribbean, it just needs to be out there.”

18. GILMORE AND BOYFRIEND

19. (SOUNDBITES) (English) PARADE ATTENDEE, THEHANY GILMORE, SAYING:

“(The) more we see it, the more we're used to it and it becomes a normal thing. And I really think everywhere in the world people should just be free to be who they are. Within the confines of the law, of course.”

20. LGBT FLAG IN THE PUBLIC

21. ACTIVISTS ON BOAT

22. ACTIVISTS STANDING ON BOAT HOLDING SIGNS INCLUDING (English): "NO PRIDE IN APARTHEID"

23. INHABITANTS ON THEIR TERRACE WITH A RAINBOW FLAG

24. VARIOUS OF A PINK BOAT PARADING

25. PALESTINIAN FLAG AMONG FLAGS IN THE PUBLIC

26. AMSTERDAM FLAG

27. VARIOUS OF PARADE ATTENDEE, MICHAEL JACOBS, STANDING WITH GROUP OF FRIENDS

28. (SOUNDBITES) (English) PARADE ATTENDEE, MICHAEL JACOBS, SAYING:

“In Amsterdam, to do it every year, for me, it's like you got a canal parade, you don't have it anywhere else. For example, when you go to Antwerp (in Belgium) it's like a protest parade with trucks. This is so much more like festive and everything."

29. JACOBS TALKING

30. (SOUNDBITES) (English) PARADE ATTENDEE, MICHAEL JACOBS, SAYING:

“Europe has some grounds (foundations) and this is one of them : be yourself, be happy, be who you are. He is straight, I'm gay, nobody cares. It's about people and not about who you love. So, yeah, if Hungary says we don't want pride, whatever, because whatever reason, leave Europe, for me personally.”

31. VARIOUS OF PEOPLE WATCHING PARADE

32. ENTERTAINERS ON BOAT

33. BOAT SAILING ON CANAL

34. SIGN ON BOAT READING (English): "YOU CAN'T BEAT LOVE"

35. PEOPLE WAVING LGBT FLAGS