Social-Democrats Favour Adoption by Gay couples

Shortly before discussions within the Dutch government are to
start concerning the overhaul of laws dealing with adoption and
kinship the Social Democrat fraction in parliament have offici-
ally adopted the view that adoption by singles and gay couples
should be made legally possible as long as it is in the best
interest of the child. It is however recognised that if such
changes in adoption-laws were to be made other countries might
refuse to cooperate, leading to a potential shortage in chil-
dren availeable for adoption in Holland. On the issue of part-
nership-registration the Labour-party, which together with
social liberals and conservative liberals make up the current
government, take the view that the current partnership-regist-
ration for gay couples should be replaced by a partner con-
tract, as the current registration is unsatisfactory, especial-
ly where the right of succession between partners is concerned.
This proposed partner-contract should have the same status as
the (straight) marriage. To the disappointment of gay pressure
groups the opening up of (straight) marriage to gay couples was
rejected. 


"Glad to be Gay" "Loving to be Lesbian"

Under this motto "Strange Fruit", a group for gays and lesbians
of non-Dutch origin has been in existence for several years
under the wings of the Amsterdam chapter of the N.V.I.H.-COC.
The group, run by young gays and lesbians from all kinds of
different cultural backgrounds, dedicates itself to supporting
gays and lesbians of non-Dutch origin living in Holland while
being proud of their cultural heritage. The group organizes
such varying activities as theatre, parties, bellydancing for
both men and women, musical performances and lectures by Black,
Arab and Turkish filmmakers and writers. Group-members also
host the programme "Global Perspective" on local gay radio once
a month. Further plans include setting up a group especially
for Lesbians and the start of a musical group. Strange fruit
can be contacted via the N.V.I.H.-COC on +31-20-6263087 or via
snailmail at: Rozenstraat 14, NL-1016 NX Amsterdam. Reactions I
receive via E-mail will be forwarded to the organisation.
   

Dutch Gay Pride to be Held in Hilversum

On saturday, june 24th, Dutch gay pride will be held in Hil-
versum, the home town of Dutch TV and Radio, situated some 30
km east of Amsterdam. This year's motto will be: "The other
reality", the aim to show to the world that the gay communi-
ty also includes people like bankers, computer-programmers, 
artists and your nextdoor neighbour. All too often the media still 
present a picture of gays based on stereotypes. After the Europride
1994 debacle many feared gay pride would not be held this year,
a fear fuelled by rumours spread in the gay community that the
event would be cancelled due to lack of funding and unwilling-
ness of the authorities to cooperate with the "Roze Zaterdag Hil-
versum Foundation", the organisers of this year's event. When
asked a spokesperson for the organisation strongly denied any
such rumours and said that preparations were running as plan-
ned. He also pointed out that none of those held responsible
for last year's fiasco have been included in this year's orga-
nising committee.


Dutch Gay Pride: the Programme

In the week leading up to to gay pride day several exhibitions centered
around gay art are being organised in Hilversum and the local film
theatre will feature gay films such as: Desert Hearts, And the
band played on, Salmonberries, Zero patient, Torch song trilogy
and Prscilla, queen of the desert. On the evening before the
actual event festivities will begin with the arrival of the gay
liberation tour and the party "a tribute to stonewall" at "de
Tagrijn" from 22:00-04:00. Highlights of the day itself inclu-
de: 
11:00 Christian sermon (which has become a tradition)
13:00 Start of the parade from Sportpark Hilversum at the Soes-
tdijkerweg leading through the centre of town and then back to 
the Sportpark. Included in the parade will be a number of
colourfull and beautifully made floats.
15:20 "Femme Fatale" on percussion
15:30 Official opening by Hilversum's mayor Mrs. Kraayeveld-
Wouters and the head of the "Roze Zaterdag Hilversum" organisa-
tion Jos van der Zwan.
16:15 TV-gameshow.
17:20 Gay choir singing 
and from 10:00-04:00 "IT's Zaterdag Feest", with lots of acts including
the "IT"-dancers.

In the evening several parties in different locations are being
organised, catering to just about any taste you can imagine.
These include a rock concert, a classical party, theatre per-
formances, a women's only party and a leather and rubber (stri-
ct dress code) party. The organisation can be contacted via
+31-35-239397 (phone) or +31-35-282323 (fax) or by writing to: 

Stichting Roze Zaterdag Hilversum
P.o. box 1200
NL-1200-BE Hilversum



Love from Holland,

Bert Schuur