European commission to sail in Amsterdam’s Gay Pride festival

DutchNews, February 15, 2016

The annual Amsterdam Gay Pride parade will be joined this year for the first time by a boat sponsored by the European Commission. The theme of this year’s parade is Europe. 

The aim of the commission’s involvement is to bring discrimination against LGBTI (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex) people to Europe’s attention, the Parool says on Monday. 

The commission is one of 80 boats taking part in the parade. Amsterdam Gay Pride kicks off on ‘Pink Saturday’ July 23 and lasts until Sunday August 7 – covering two weeks and three weekends for the first time. 

The festival’s highlight is the canal parade on Saturday August 6 along the Prinsengracht canal and Amstel river, watched by 300,000 spectators. 

In addition to the European Commission’s entry, the canal parade will include a sports boat sponsored by Adidas and featuring four Amsterdam gay sports clubs, a Moroccan boat, and a boat featuring pop singer Kamaliya, described as the ‘Ukrainian Lady Gaga.’