European Commission enters first boat in Amsterdam Gay Pride parade

The European Commission will have a boat in the Amsterdam Gay Pride parade this year, the organization announced on Sunday. This year's theme is Join our freedom, feel free to join us and will focus on Europe, news wire ANP reports. The aim for this year's theme is to bring more attention to discrimination against and acceptance of lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders in Europe. The European Commission boat is one of a total of 80 boats that will participate in the parade. Other participating boats include the Moroccan boat, the boat of Madrid Pride and a sports boat, which includes four Amsterdam gay sports clubs and is sponsored by Adidas. "Within sports LGBT is still sensitive. During their active career, athletes do not dare come out of the closet." Gay Pride director Lucien Spree said to the news wire. EuroPride starts on Saturday July 23rd and ends on Sunday August 7th.