Gay-Bashing in Amsterdam

[herrbert]

Not a positive story about Amsterdam this time, but it needs to be said, if only as a warning for gays going to Amsterdam.

The last couple of months there is an increase in so-called gay bashings in Amsterdam. This year alone, there are 21 reported cases. (keep in mind that: a lot of cases are not reported at all, in fear of family finding out that someone is gay). Last year there were 18 over the whole year. Even at the gay pride, this took place. So if you are openly gay, and you are coming to Amsterdam, than at least keep a good look out (and I hate to say it, for groups of people with an Arabic background), and stick to bussier streets.

I am linking to an article, that is from July, because I can't find a good article in English, but I also heared that the NY times, did a piece on it today (or yesterday). At least it's getting a lot of media attention in the Netherlands at the moment.
www.martinfrost.ws/htmlfiles/july2007/homophobic3.html

What I am noticing for a longer time (last 5 years) in the Netherlands, is that there is a less tolerant attitude against foreigners and gays. Amsterdam issadly enough no longer the tolerent place it once was.

[pointofnoreturn]

That's truly terrible. I don't understand why people do this... it's really a shame!

Thanks for posting the article - perhaps it will give people some insights of GLBT travel and the dangers.

[WillTravel]

I saw something weird today that is sort of related. When we were coming into Aachen Hauptbahnhof, I saw a small building (a house?) with a Confederate flag on one side of the roof, and a German flag on the other. So far as I know, the Confederate flag sort of has a ´White Power´meaning to it nowadays, particularly if flown in Germany.

Is it possible I am mistaken? Is there anything that might resemble a Confederate flag at a glance but be innocuous? I meant to take a look as I returned again on the train, but the train moved out of the station before I realized it.

I know there are at least a few neo-Nazis in Germany - I hope this was a very isolated incident or even better that I am completely mistaken about the flag.

[herrbert]

This one I presume:

A lot of Europeans are not that aware of what flags mean or meant in the past. The confederate flag, is ofter used by biker clubs, American car clubs. But I don't believe it has a fascist element attached to it in Europe, I think people see it more as a symbol for rebellion/freedom

[me]

the Confederate flag, aka Stars 'n' Bars - like the American flag is Stars 'n' Stripes, is often seen differently by various people.

many see it as a symbol of racism, others see it as a symbol of sticking up for one's heritage.

Slavery wasn't even what precipitated the "War Between The States" in America - it is almost always called The Civil War, which it wasn't. there were sympathizers on both sides, but there was no real fighting within population groups.

one of the great ironies is that the South's biggest hero was an abolitionist: General Robert E. Lee.

Wouldn't the world be a screwed up place had the South won the war? [but please do not think that the Confederate States of America was a Nazi country! it wasn't.]