Pride Leiden: A Celebration of Love and Community

Pride Leiden Celebrates Acceptance and Love

LEIDEN - Glitters, feathers, and sequins marked the second edition of Pride Leiden as thousands of visitors joined the festivities Saturday afternoon. Over 35 boats paraded through the historic city center in a spectacle of color and joy.

Vibrant Parade and a Celebration of Love

The afternoon featured a colorful boat parade that commenced from Galgenwater, with onlookers dressed in all shades of the rainbow. Rainn (20) and Agata (25), a loving couple, felt both excited and nervous to join the celebration. ‘It’s still a world where you’re a bit afraid to be yourself,’ remarked Rainn. Despite these feelings, they appreciated the acceptance they felt at Pride Leiden. Agata, originally from Poland, expressed her admiration: ‘It feels more like a celebration of love than just a day to hold hands in public.’

For Mark and his friends, this wasn’t their first Pride. Mark, coming from Alkmaar, felt that Pride Leiden was especially vibrant. “The atmosphere is great, and the people are cheerful,” he stated while pulling out a stash of food and drinks. “This is my emergency food supply.”

No Demonstrations This Year

This year’s event included a plethora of activities surrounding Pride. Screenings showcasing the origins and significance of the LGBTQ+ movement were held throughout the week at Kijkhuis Leiden. Saturday also hosted a beloved story hour for children, featuring drag queen Dina Diamond as the storyteller.

This year, in contrast to last, no demonstrations disrupted the festivities, illustrating the growing acceptance within the community. The history behind this celebration stems from the Stonewall riots of 1969 when LGBTQ+ individuals fought back against oppression, marking the beginning of the modern emancipation movement for LGBTQ+ rights.