Utrecht Pride festival kicks off amid rise in anti-LGBTQIA+ violence
The number of violent incidents targeting the LGBTQIA+ community is on the rise in the Utrecht region, advocacy group COC Midden-Nederland warned on the eve of Utrecht Pride. The advocacy group for the LGBTQIA+ community warned that acceptance is declining, citing rising reports of violence and intimidation and increasingly difficult conversations at schools, RTV Utrecht reported.
The 2025 Midden-Nederland Discrimination Monitor showed an increase in incidents against homosexual and transgender people. The municipality of Utrecht told the broadcaster that reports of homophobic discrimination have increased sixfold in three years. The police are also recording more reports of violence, harassment, and hostile treatment against people from the LGBTQIA+ community.
According to COC, these increases cannot be solely attributed to a greater willingness among victims to come forward. “At first we thought: is it because we are more visible that we dare to report more? But there really are more incidents. And the incidents we see are also more severe and violent than before,” Laura van Nieuwenhuijze of COC Midden-Nederland told the broadcaster.
The Netherlands is no longer leading the cause for acceptance of the LGBTQIA+ community. The COC notices this in conversations with young people. “We see this at schools where we provide information. The conversations are more difficult. It sometimes takes a lot of words to convince students that you are allowed to be who you are.”
Visibility is therefore more important than ever, Van Niewuwenuijze said. “Literally showing who you are, in all colors and shapes.” Pride plays a big part in increasing awareness. “People who might not be so familiar with us yet gain more understanding this way. Then we have taken another small step forward.”
