Celebrating Pride Month in the UK - United Kingdom
Celebrating Pride Month in the UK
Throughout Pride Month in June, the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in the United Kingdom celebrated special milestones together with British partners, diplomatic contacts and the Dutch community in the UK.
A landmark year
This year is a landmark year for the Netherlands – and for the global LGBTIQ+ community:
- 25 years of marriage for same-sex couples in the Netherlands
- 30 years of Pride Amsterdam – with WorldPride and EuroPride taking place in Amsterdam this summer
- 80 years of COC Netherlands, one of the world’s oldest LGBTIQ+ organisations
- 10 years of same-sex weddings at the Dutch Church in London
Throughout Pride Month in June, the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in the United Kingdom celebrated these milestones together with British partners, diplomatic contacts and the Dutch community in the UK.
Celebrating Diversity and Community
In cooperation with the Dutch Centre and the Dutch Church London, the Embassy welcomed guests to hosted a special Pride evening where our shared values of freedom and inclusion took centre stage - through film, conversation, music and just simply being together.
The programme began with three short films curated by
Roze Filmdagen, Amsterdam’s LGBTIQ+ film festival. The director of
one of the films, Yentl Vlachos, joined us for a Q&A about their
film WETBOY, sharing insights on storytelling, identity and visibility.
The celebration then continued in the church hall. Rev. Bertjan van de Lagemaat offered a warm word of welcome, and Ambassador Paul Huijts opened the networking reception, highlighting the Netherlands’ continued commitment to equal rights and inclusion.
Dutch drag queen Miss Cartier brought energy and glamour to the evening with a jazzy performance, underscoring the joy and resilience at the heart of Pride.
Pride in London: Marching as Diplomats for Equality
The Embassy was proud to join Pride in London, marching alongside colleagues from the Embassies of Belgium and Luxembourg, the EU Delegation and fellow Diplomats for Equality.
Taking part in Pride in London is always an important moment for an important movement. Pride is a celebration – but also a reminder that the work to defend and advance equal rights for LGBTIQ+ persons is far from over.
As #DiplomatsForEquality, we celebrate and reaffirm our commitment to defend and advance the equal rights of LGBTIQ+ persons. Human rights belong to everyone, everywhere – no matter who you are or who you love.
We want to give a special shout-out to the fabulous group from the Dutch Church London, #DutchGayintheUK and the Dutch Centre.
And to all the participants and visitors along the
route: your optimism, creativity and courage were contagious.
‘Bob: Man of the Angels’ – A Dutch Pride Story on the Big Screen
Our Pride celebrations also include a cultural highlight with a strong Dutch connection, with a world premiere at Curzon Soho in London.
Twenty years before Stonewall, Dutch Resistance rebel ‘Bob Angelo’ (Niek Engelschman) founded COC Netherlands in 1946, and opened a brave new road to LGBTIQ+ liberation. 'Bob: Man of The Angels' revisits the modern legacy of Angelo (Niek Engelschman), Bet van Beeren and other Dutch post-war pathfinders through the lens of modern Amsterdam, World Pride host city 2026.
Tickets and information via Curzon Soho!
Screenings:
- World premiere: Curzon Soho, Shaftesbury Avenue, London – 16 July
- Amsterdam screenings: Filmhuis Cavia – 29 July, 2–3 August
Thanks to Rob Falconer for his efforts to realise
this screening in London, and keeping us in the loop!
Pride Month 2026 offered the Embassy an opportunity to celebrate milestones, honour pioneers and stand alongside partners in the UK and beyond. Orange will always be part of the rainbow – and the Netherlands will continue to work for a world where everyone can live and love freely.