Violence at Amersfoort Pride shows need for LGBTQIA+ safe spaces, advocates say
LGBTQIA+ people who are harassed during WorldPride in Amsterdam can turn to one of 35 safe spaces in the city starting July 29 for support and assistance. The violence at Pride Amersfoort on Friday night, where multiple boys beat up a visitor, underscores how badly these safe spaces are needed, initiating organization Report it, always (RITA) told NOS.
RITA collaborates with Amstersfoort, Amsterdam, Utrecht, Haarlem, and Amstelveen to make reporting discrimination or violence easier for people from the LGBTQIA+ community. The organization received about 40 reports of incidents surrounding Pride Amersfoort. The police say they are still investigating whether the assault at Pride Amersfoort was an anti-LGBTQIA+ hate crime.
In addition to the reporting point, RITA is also providing “safer spaces” during WorldPride in Amsterdam this year. Any LGBTQIA+ person who faced harassment, discrimination, or violence can turn to these spaces located in hotels and places like the Stedelijk Museum, De Nieuwe Kerk, and the city archives. The spaces have extra security and people to help victims take the next steps.
“You will be safe there, at least, and someone will help you further. For example, to contact the police,” RITA co-founder and board member Jerrald Justin told NOS. RITA hopes to eventually establish a nationwide network with thousands of safer spaces.
According to Justin, these are “not a nice extra, but a necessity”; the incident in Amersfoort shows that again. “Why should anyone be afraid to get home safely after a day where love, freedom, and being yourself take center stage?”
RITA was established in 2024 after a wave of anti-LGBTQIA+ incidents in Amsterdam’s public transport and taxis. According to the annual report by the discrimination expertise center Artikel 1, discrimination reporting centers received nearly 900 reports via RITA last year. Most cases involved violence in which LGBTQIA+ people were physically or verbally attacked.
According to Justin, RITA receives reports daily from all over the Netherlands. “It is somewhat sad that RITA is successful,” Justin said. “But it is important to illustrate the magnitude of the problem and to show the places where people are frequently harassed.”
