Amsterdam Gay Pride

Amsterdam officials expect 400,000 visitors for Sunday's gay pride festivities.

The usually tolerant Netherlands has a reputation of being at the forefront of social change and since the 1970s Amsterdam has been 'the gay capital of Europe'.

Amsterdam hit a low point earlier this year when American journalist and gay activist Chris Crain said he was beaten up here by Dutch youngsters when he walked hand in hand with his boyfriend on Queen's Day, the Dutch national holiday April 30.

He wrote a column about the experience in the Washington Blade magazine that received widespread media attention here. In response the Amsterdam municipality invited Crain and his boyfriend to be guests of the city during gay pride.

Crain himself was happy to be back in Amsterdam for his first gay pride weekend here. Although Crain says he is still more vigilant of his surroundings now he still plans to hold hands in public.

"It's gay pride weekend, we'll be holding hands for sure this weekend."

Hear, hear Chris!

Amsterdam is an absolutely wonderful city. My partner and I had the pleasure of spending a few days there during our recent European vacation and I can't wait to return.

To all our Dutch brothers: Happy Pride!