Gay Fight Club

Late Mayor Schelto Patijn once described Amsterdam as the "gay way to Europe." Now gays find themselves on the defensive as anti-gay attacks increase throughout the country.

Boris Dittrich, Director of Gay Rights at Human Rights Watch spoke with NIS News Bulletin about gay life in Amsterdam. "You can certainly state that Amsterdam's image of gay capital is in shambles." Dittrich continued, "Incidents take place everywhere, but nowhere is the violence as structural as it is in Amsterdam at present."

A 19-year-old assaulted a gay couple in the capital back on June 29th and several gay men were attacks at Amsterdam's gay pride this year.

Despite an increase in gay hate crimes, local gays in Amsterdam aren't letting their reputation as a global gay destination be tarnished without a fight (with the help of the Amsterdam police). A gay police officers group called "Pink in Blue" is conducting self-defense courses for gay men.

One student, Theo Gommel, has never been attacked but says, "When it comes to the crunch and I find myself in a situation where I have to fight, I won't run. I will fight. Through this course I want to learn how to."

The courses have the backing of the Amsterdam police and the COC, a Dutch national gay organization. "Because there is increased violence against gay men, I think these courses can help build a renewed self-confidence," Frank van Dalen, chairman of COC told Radio Netherlands. "Many gay men in the scene are looking for ways to feel safer on the streets. One of the ways is to follow these self-defense courses."

Polls:
Do you fear being attacked for being gay? Definitely 2) Maybe 3) Not at All
(see results)
Would you take a self-defense class for gay men? Definitely 2) Maybe 3) Not at All (see results)

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U.S. Hate Crime Statistics
How To Prevent Gay Bashing

_{Image © Andy Steel.}