Amsterdam Gay Life LGBT / LBGT
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender life in Amsterdam
LGBT group in front of Het Mandje cafe run by Bet van Beeren, the Motor Dyke.
A fascinating tour given by a lively art historian taking you along hotspots of Amsterdams Gay and Lesbian history from the 1650s to these days.
Extraordinary and captivating stories from the period 1650-2017, told on the spot, expressing how Amsterdam residents and authorities viewed the gay scene and responded in each era of history.
How to stay well hidden in the closet, how to come out of the closet as a gay in various times…
Our visit takes us to various places:
The famous café of the first motor bike dyke (photo),
The site of the eighteenth century literary authors Wolff & Deken,
Building of the Schorer Foundation, hotbed of Gay/LGBT information opened in 1967, totally unique in the world.
Gays on May 4, 1980 beaten away with their wreath on the national WWII commemoration at Dam Square;
Opening in 1987 of the first gay monument in the world,
“Filthiness and lesbian sex”, lesbo outrages in the Jordan district,
Undercover arrest of gay men having sex in the 18th century,
Medical research into a lesbian clit (1650)
The headquarters of Schorer, the largest gay info organization in the world (1967).
Police arrests and tolerance.
Health and AIDS. Current gay organizations and bookstores.
First Gay marriage!
European backlash against gays.
Atria, a study center for Women’s and Lesbian History.
Please note: as of April 2018, there are very strict rules on walking with tour groups in the Red Light District. If you want this, please communicate with me first!
Customer Tom wrote this, 2018: “We found your tour insightful and appreciated the various historical tidbits you included on things like the orphanage, public urinals and the day-to-day economics of being a sailor centuries ago. It was a very nice introduction to the city; we wished it had been scheduled earlier in our stay. We enjoyed meeting you and exploring your wonderful city. Best regards, Tom”
Business card. The logo refers to Vermeer.
Tour by Drs Kees Kaldenbach, a professional Art History scholar with excellent teaching skills. Specialist in Fine art and Design, Architecture and History. VIP entry.
Drs Kees Kaldenbach: „…he is wildly overqualified to be a guide . That is his secret… Trust me on this.” Gabe. Statement made February, 2017.