Millions of LGBTQ+ people and their allies attend events, rallies, and marches around the world every year. As Pride season rolls around, the LGBTQ+ community remembers the history, celebrate the present and continuously fight for equality and justice for the future. However, despite being such momentous, joyous and colourful events, they do not come without their safety and awareness issues. Here is how to Pride in Style, the Amsterdam addition:
If you are Priding in Amsterdam this year, the Amsterdam health authorities have launched a campaign warning tourists about a substance being sold as cocaine, but is actually white heroin. Purchases of this substance have resulted in a number of deaths, so stay vigilant. For more information visit the website of the Public Health Service of Amsterdam (GGD).
Secondly, although the Netherlands has a reputation for tolerance of ‘soft drugs’, drugs are actually prohibited in the country. This tolerance of cannabis exists only for designated premises in major cities, such as Amsterdam. With a mass number of tourists flocking to Pride this August, possession of/buying prohibited substances outside these designated areas can result in a prison sentence, meanwhile using soft drugs in public places is also an offence. For example, the sale of both dry and fresh psychoactive mushrooms is forbidden by law. Additionally, a combinations of alcohol, cannabis and wild mushrooms are a fatal cocktail and have resulted in several deaths.
The weather in Amsterdam has been as hot as 33°C! So if we have a summer like 2018, it is important to be well prepared for a party during a heat wave:
Whilst dancing and marching away, remember to drink enough water and keep hydrated.
Take a break from dancing from time to time. Look for a cool spot to sit, eat, drink and rest. This will help to recover your salt and energy levels.
When the sun is beaming down on the parade, use enough sunscreen with a factor that matches your skin type. Repeat every couple of hours.
Don’t wear clothes that are too tight; it’s important that your body can ventilate in heat.
Alcohol and drugs influence the temperature regulation and fluid balance in your body. Don’t push your boundaries, especially through a heat wave
Attend Pride with a trustworthy party partner. By creating a buddy system, all member of your group will stay in contact and no one will be left alone and susceptible to potentially dangerous situations. Check in with any separated group members by sending a quick text or a phone call. Additionally, designate a meeting spot with your friends incase some members do get lost and separated from the main group. Make the location specific, obvious and easy to access.
Do protect yourself if you have sex. Pride is a brilliant time to meet people and, who knows, maybe even get intimate, so remember to stay safe and use protection. Bring condoms and make sure to ask any potential partners if they’ve been tested for STDs. There are free condoms everywhere during Amsterdam Pride week, so no excuses!
LGBTQ+ Pride events can attract protestors who don’t approve of the community. Don’t let protestors ruin your day of celebrations! Ignore them if you can, or keep interactions as brief as possible. Meanwhile, respect the different costumes and signs that you see. Pride parades bring together people from across the LGBTQ+ community. Expect to see people expressing themselves through costumes and signs, and remember that you might not agree with all the things you see or hear. It’s important to celebrate the diversity of people and viewpoints in the LGBTQ+ community.
For more information on travelling overseas as a member of the LGBTQ+ community, head to the FCO travel aware campaign site.
