LGBTQI+ History Tour of Amsterdam

Amsterdam, renowned for its vibrant LGBTQ+ community, offers an insightful exploration of queer history on the LGBTQI+ History Tour. Led by local expert Henk, this 2-hour journey uncovers over 400 years of pivotal events and inspiring figures that have shaped the city’s gay heritage. From oppressive 17th-century laws to modern LGBTQ+ identities, participants explore the rich tapestry of Amsterdam’s queer past, culminating at the world’s oldest gay bar, Het Mandje. This guided experience promises a deeper understanding of the resilience and triumphs of the LGBTQ+ community.

Key Points

• Immersive 2-hour guided tour exploring over 400 years of gay history in Amsterdam, led by a local guide who experienced the beginnings of the gay movement.
• Visits significant landmarks and events, from 17th-century sodomy laws to modern LGBTQ+ identity, with personalized attention in a small group setting.
• Highlights inspiring narratives of gay heroes and activists, such as André Kroger and Wil Scheffer, who played pivotal roles in the LGBTQ+ movement.
• Tour concludes at the world’s oldest gay bar, Het Mandje, connecting visitors to the city’s enduring LGBTQ+ heritage and community.
• Tour is wheelchair and stroller accessible, with service animals allowed, and offers a flexible cancellation policy.

Tour Overview

The LGBTQI+ History Tour of Amsterdam provides an immersive exploration into over 400 years of gay history in the city.

This 2-hour guided tour takes visitors through significant landmarks and events, from 17th-century sodomy laws to modern LGBTQ+ identity.

Led by local guide Henk, who lived through the beginnings of the gay movement, the small group setting allows for personalized attention and interactions.

Participants can expect to hear stories of gay heroes, activists, writers, and resistance fighters, culminating in a visit to the world’s oldest gay bar, Het Mandje.

The tour is accessible, with options for wheelchair users and stroller-pushers.

Exploring 400 Years of Gay History

Over the course of the 2-hour LGBTQI+ History Tour of Amsterdam, participants embark on a journey through more than four centuries of gay history in the city.

The tour covers significant events, from 17th-century sodomy laws to the modern LGBTQ+ movement. Travelers visit important landmarks and hear stories of gay heroes, activists, writers, and resistance fighters who shaped Amsterdam’s vibrant queer community.

The tour culminates at Het Mandje, the world’s oldest gay bar, providing a tangible connection to the city’s rich LGBTQ+ heritage and the ongoing fight for equal rights.

Significant Events and Landmarks

As participants embark on the LGBTQI+ History Tour of Amsterdam, they are taken on a captivating journey through the city’s rich queer heritage.

From the 17th-century sodomy laws to the modern LGBTQ+ identity, the tour covers significant events that have shaped Amsterdam’s storied past.

Visitors learn about the stories of gay heroes, activists, writers, and resistance fighters, visiting important landmarks that hold deep significance.

The tour culminates at Het Mandje, the world’s oldest gay bar, providing a poignant connection to the city’s enduring LGBTQ+ community and its unwavering fight for equality and acceptance.

Stories of Gay Heroes and Activists

Integral to the LGBTQI+ History Tour of Amsterdam are the inspiring stories of gay heroes and activists who fought tirelessly for the rights and recognition of their community.

Visitors learn about pioneering figures like NEC Krant founder André Kroger, who challenged censorship and discrimination through his groundbreaking LGBTQ+ magazine in the 1960s.

The tour also highlights the bravery of activist and artist Wil Scheffer, whose public protests against the Netherlands’ criminalization of homosexuality paved the way for decriminalization in 1971.

These personal narratives provide a deeply moving account of the resilience and determination of the LGBTQ+ community.

The World’s Oldest Gay Bar

At the conclusion of the LGBTQI+ History Tour of Amsterdam, visitors are taken to Café ‘t Mandje, which is recognized as the world’s oldest continuously operating gay bar. Established in 1927, this iconic hotel has served as a safe haven for the LGBTQ+ community for over 90 years.

Year	Notable Event
1927	Café ‘t Mandje opens as one of the first gay bars in Amsterdam.
1958	Owner Bet van Beeren takes over the bar, becoming an influential figure in the local LGBTQ+ scene.
1982	Bet van Beeren passes away, but the bar continues to operate under family ownership.
2007	Café ‘t Mandje is recognized as the world’s oldest continuously operating gay bar.
2022	The bar remains a beloved landmark, preserving LGBTQ+ history and serving as a gathering place for the community.

A Guided Experience by Henk

The LGBTQI+ History Tour of Amsterdam is guided by Henk, who lived through the beginnings of the gay movement in the city. His personal anecdotes, combined with historical facts and Dutch poetry, provide a unique and insightful experience for participants.

The small group setting allows for more attention and interaction, enabling a deeper connection to the shared narratives.

The tour covers over 400 years of gay history in Amsterdam, exploring:

1. Significant events from 17th-century sodomy laws to modern LGBTQ+ identity.
2. Important landmarks and stories of gay heroes, activists, writers, and resistance fighters.
3. The tour’s culmination at Het Mandje, the world’s oldest gay bar.

Accessibility and Logistics

The tour’s meeting point is located at Westermarkt 2L, 1016 DK Amsterdam, near the pink triangle by the Keizerscanal.

The tour ends at Café ‘t Mandje, Zeedijk 63, 1012 AS Amsterdam.

The tour is wheelchair and stroller accessible, and service animals are allowed.

Public transportation is available near the meeting and end points.

Travelers have the flexibility to cancel their reservation up to 24 hours before the tour starts at no additional cost.

Traveler Feedback and Ratings

Consistent praise from travelers highlights the tour’s impact, with the experience earning a 5.0 rating based on 110 reviews.

Travelers emphasize the tour’s significance, lauding it as:

1. Insightful and educational, providing a unique window into LGBTQ+ heritage.
2. Emotionally impactful, fostering a deep connection to the shared history.
3. Preserving an important narrative, ensuring the visibility of LGBTQ+ stories.

The feedback underscores the tour’s ability to engage participants, with Henk’s warmth, humor, and extensive knowledge cited as key factors contributing to the overwhelmingly positive experience.

The Sum Up

The LGBTQI+ History Tour of Amsterdam offers a comprehensive and immersive exploration of the city’s rich queer heritage. Guided by local expert Henk, the tour highlights significant landmarks, events, and inspiring stories, providing participants with a deeper understanding of Amsterdam’s pivotal role in LGBTQ+ history. The tour concludes at the world’s oldest gay bar, Het Mandje, creating a memorable and impactful experience for anyone interested in uncovering the past and present of Amsterdam’s LGBTQ+ community.