Ambassadors

For several years Pride Amsterdam has appointed multiple Pride ambassadors. They are diverse ambassadors who reflect the variety and vibrancy of the LGBTI community. Each year the group grows with new faces chosen to match that year’s theme.

Rik & Aimée (he/him & she/her) We want to entertain and inspire View ambassador

Sarah Trecia (she/her) In Uganda I hardly knew any other people like me View ambassador

Janey Jacké (she/her) All we drag queens want is for you to be yourself View ambassador

Marleen Hendrickx (she/her) All those cheering people on the quay are here to stay View ambassador

Fatih Bici (he/him) There are many queer healthcare providers who work every day to raise awareness View ambassador

Gwen Dalin (she/her) When when I'm in a queer bar, people often assume I'm straight. Why? View ambassador

Sem Jansen (he/him) Everyone has an opinion about gender identity, but few people have the right knowledge View ambassador

Karen the Host (she/her) Text: Paul HofmanPhoto: Leon HendrickxVideo: Paradox ProductionsAmbassador Karen de Lathouder: ‘Together is better than alone’It is the first time in Pride Amsterdam’s history that a senior woman from the corporate world has become an ambassador. Chief Operating Officer Assets at Eneco, Karen de Lathouder (46), looks forward to her ambassadorship. ‘Amazing.’ It’s also noteworthy that […] View ambassador

André Donker (he/him) Text: Paul HofmanPhoto: Leon HendrickxVideo: Paradox Productions Ambassador André Donker: ‘Together we are one family’ To he was surprised when earlier this year he was asked to become one of Pride Amsterdam’s six figureheads. André (59) didn’t hesitate for a moment and said yes immediately. He is a striking man who is proud of […] View ambassador

Inge Lamboo (she/her) Text: Paul HofmanPhoto: Leon HendrickxVideo: Paradox Productions Singer-songwriter Inge Lamboo: ‘There’s nothing more beautiful than being the coolest version of yourself’. Shortly after her performance at the Pride Amsterdam kick-off party, a thunderous applause rises from the audience. Rising talent Inge Lamboo (25) is being celebrated. She is a singer and a sensation on TikTok […] View ambassador

Rikkie Kollé (she/her) Text: Paul HofmanPhoto: Leon HendrickxVideo: Paradox Productions Rikkie Kollé (Miss Nederland): ‘Dare to choose yourself’. In 2023 Rikkie Kollé (23) was crowned Miss Nederland. The news even reached the New York Times. She is the first trans person to receive this honour. Now Rikkie is an ambassador for Pride Amsterdam. ‘I look […] View ambassador

Nickie Nicole (she/her) Text: Paul HofmanPhoto: Leon HendrickxVideo: Paradox Productions Nickie Nicole: ‘See the best in yourself’ The first time Nickie Nicole (55) saw the Canal Parade of Pride Amsterdam, he was ‘flabbergasted’. It’s etched on his mind. ‘Totally different from the New York Pride I knew.’ ‘I remember it was a radiant day […] View ambassador

Haroon Ali (he/him) Text: Paul HofmanPhoto: Leon HendrickxVideo: Paradox Productions Haroon Ali: ’Learning from each other’s experiences’. He is a freelance journalist, author, columnist and programme maker. His latest book Spectrum was recently published, with the subtitle the rainbow community in the 21st century. Haroon (41) mainly writes about culture, diversity and the spirit of the times. Haroon is proud to serve as an ambassador for Pride Amsterdam […] View ambassador

Paul Morris (he/him) Text: Paul HofmanPhoto: Remon van den KommerVideo: Paradox ProductionsAmbassador Paul Morris was born and raised in Caracas. He is the child of a Dutch mother and a Venezuelan father and therefore holds dual nationality, which later proves useful in his life. Latin and pop singer Paul on his homosexuality: ‘Gender is […] View ambassador

Ronald Benita (he/him) Text: Paul HofmanPhoto: Remon van den KommerVideo: Paradox Productions Youth Ambassador Ronald Benita: ‘Listen, inspire and act’ Ronald (19) was overwhelmed when he learned he had been named the winner of the Youth Pride Ambassador 2022 election. He is eager to get started. The Rotterdam native is incredibly happy to serve as an ambassador […] View ambassador

Thorn de Vries (they/them and they/theirs) Text: Tammie SchootsPhoto: Remon van den KommerVideo: Paradox Productions Thorn de Vries (they/them and they/theirs) has become indispensable to the LGBTI community. From them it can confidently be said that they have made a meteoric career. While this non-binary gem was handing out wristbands for a party at the Melkweg just four years ago, they have since […] View ambassador

Linda de Munck (she/her) Text: Paul HofmanPhoto: Remon van den KommerVideo: Paradox Productions She is undoubtedly the Pride ambassador with the most outspoken views. Linda de Munck (27) is a jack-of-all-trades: she is a presenter, writer and above all an influencer. With more than 42,000 followers she is a leading figure and at the same time a role model for many bisexual people within the LGBTQ+ community. Her mission? 'Make everything […]' View ambassador

Ahmad Joudeh (he/him) Text: Paul HofmanPhoto: Remon van den KommerVideo: Paradox Productions Ballet dancer and choreographer Ahmad Joudeh: ‘Dance or Die’. Ahmad Joudeh (32) is this year undoubtedly the ambassador with the most moving and at the same time inspiring life story. Being an ambassador for Pride 2022 means a lot to him: ‘I want to be the voice of refugees. And a figurehead for their […] View ambassador

BeyonG Veldkamp (she/her) Text: Paul HofmanPhoto: Remon van den KommerVideo: Paradox Productions ‘It’s recognition of my work as a professional for the transgender community.’ BeyonG Veldkamp (36) is the perfect ambassador for 2022: an activist through and through and a natural networker. In 2017 she won the Jos Brink Innovation Prize together with an Amsterdam police spokesperson. Not long after, she was […] View ambassador

Jason Bhugwandass (he/him) Text: Paul HofmanPhoto: Remon van den KommerVideo: Paradox ProductionsTrans man Jason Bhugwandass (24): ‘Transition or death’In an old local café around the corner from Jason we talk to him about his youth, life, transition and studies. Together with BeyonG he is a transgender pillar of support for the trans community. ‘My transition has been more than worth it. Finally […]’ View ambassador

Suzanne van de Laar (she/her) Text: Paul HofmanPhoto: Remon van den KommerVideo: Paradox Productions Advocate of leather fetish Suzanne van de Laar: ‘Taking leather out of the taboo zone.’ When she was asked to be one of the 2022 ambassadors, she reacted in disbelief. ‘Amazing,’ she says with a laugh. It filled her with pride. The pansexual leatherwoman and former Miss Leather will take on the role with pride, […] View ambassador

Barrie Stevens (he/him) Text: Paul HofmanPhoto: Remon van den KommerVideo: Paradox ProductionsTheatre icon Barrie Stevens: a true performer. At seventeen he left prudish England for the Netherlands. A long career on stage followed. Sixty years later it is time to look back on those years, the love of his life and Pride Amsterdam. Barrie Stevens […] View ambassador

Envy Peru (she/her) Text: Paul HofmanPhoto: Rob JacobsHair: Jean Baptiste SantensVideo: Paradox Productions Boris Itzkovich Escobar (33) is better known by his stage name Envy Peru. Like ambassador Paul Morris, he comes from South America. Drag queen, actor, model and makeup artist Envy Peru was a winner of the television show ‘Drag Race Holland’ a few years ago. This year the drag queen shines not only on […] View ambassador

Robin Lemònt (she/they) Interview: Paul Hofman Youth Pride ambassador Robin Lemònt speaks: ‘Positivity is so important’ This year they were appointed Youth Pride ambassador for the upcoming Pride. A role that perfectly suits this born-and-bred Amsterdammer. In 2019, Robin (22) already had the burning ambition to take on this role […] View ambassador

Axe Leito (he/him) In memoriam [17-11-1980 / 18-2-2023] On 18 February 2023 Axe Leito passed away. The board, staff and volunteers of Pride Amsterdam are deeply shocked. We will terribly miss his generous laugh and contagious enthusiasm. We offer strength to Robin, his family and friends and the leather community of which he was so proud to be a part as they grieve […] View ambassador

Tieneke Sumter (she/her) Interview: Paul Hofman Activism runs in Tieneke Sumter’s blood (57). She was born in Suriname in the early 1960s as the child of a lesbian mother. At six she moved to the Netherlands with her mother. She took to the new country. It’s here that she developed her commitment to fighting injustice. “I put […] View ambassador

Boris Dittrich (he/him) Interview: Paul Hofman Politics and human rights are close to his heart. In the mid-1990s Boris Dittrich (65) became a D66 member of the Dutch House of Representatives. As an openly gay man he became a prominent face in the fight for equal rights for LGBTI+ people. This year he is an ambassador for Pride Amsterdam. “We still have a lot to overcome before […]” View ambassador

Sherry Jae Ebere (she/her) Interview: Paul Hofman Smoothly rolling in her wheelchair, Sherry Jae enters the hotel lounge. As one of the six ambassadors, she is certainly the most striking. As a baby she arrived in the Netherlands from Biafra in the late 1960s, at a time when a brutal civil war was raging. Sherry Jae (53) had to fight against many […] View ambassador

Pete Wu (he/him) Interview: Paul Hofman In addition to being a journalist and author, Pete Wu (34) is one of this year’s Pride Amsterdam ambassadors. He was surprised to be selected as one of the six, and he’s looking forward to the role. Who is this man who recently wrote an autobiographical book about what it’s like to grow up as a Chinese Dutch gay man between two worlds. […] View ambassador

Amber Vineyard (she/her) Photography: Prisma CompositionalVideo: Paradox ProductionsInterview: Paul Hofman She walks into the Pride Amsterdam office with a smile. Amber Vineyard has just landed from Oslo. These months she’s flying across Europe to judge, take part in, and share her knowledge at various balls organised by ballroom communities across the continent. Voguing, the famous dance style, […] View ambassador

Ellie Lust (she/her) Photography: Prisma CompositionalVideo: Paradox ProductionsInterview: Marco Hohl Ellie Lust leaves nothing out in life: “The moment you start doing that, you limit yourself. Think freely. Stand in your own shop and take from the shelves what you want.” It’s an attitude that fits perfectly with her new role as ambassador […] View ambassador

Justin Hermsen (he/him) Photography: Prisma CompositionalVideo: Paradox ProductionsInterview: Paul Hofman For Justin Hermsen, who had just turned sixteen, it was a huge surprise to be nominated as youth ambassador. Justin was speechless when he heard that that Sunday afternoon in February at A’DAM TOWER he was unanimously chosen as the best by the jury. “You’re not the only gay […] View ambassador

Victoria False (she/her) Photography: Prisma CompositionalVideo: Paradox ProductionsInterview: Paul Hofman For drag queen Victoria False it was a great surprise to be asked to become an ambassador. The diva’s schedule is now filling up at lightning speed. Pride Amsterdam conducted an extensive interview with this ‘grandmother of the drag queens’. “Without a past there is no future. That is why older […] View ambassador

Raymond Timmer (he/him) Photography: Prisma CompositionalVideo: Paradox ProductionsInterview: Paul Hofman The ambassadors of Pride Amsterdam form a diverse group this year. Raymond Timmer is a striking figure who has earned his stripes as a leading figure for other foundations. To to everyone’s surprise the former Mr Leather Europe was chosen as an ambassador. “It’s so important to give something back.” Together […] View ambassador

Dinah Bons (she/her) Photography: Prisma CompositionalVideo: Paradox ProductionsInterview: Paul Hofman Ambassador Dinah Bons is a woman with a résumé as solid as a rock. As an activist for, among other causes, sex workers’ rights and bi-cultural LGBT people, the Moluccan trans woman Dinah has made a name for herself in the pink world. Her motto? “Do beautiful things for others and yourself.” HER SCHEDULE Her agenda is filling […] View ambassador

Jeffrey Wammes (he/him) Photography: Prisma CompositionalVideo: Paradox ProductionsInterview: Paul Hofman Former top gymnast Jeffrey Wammes was very proud when Pride Amsterdam asked him to be one of the ambassadors in 2019. “It is a great honour for me. Because personally it means a lot. It’s actually quite strange that Pride is still needed. There is still […] View ambassador

Vanny Reyes (he/him) Photography: Noah ValentynStyling & MUAH: Sjoerd WillemsenInterview: Paul Hofman When he was asked to be an ambassador for Pride Amsterdam 2018, Vanny Reyes was momentarily speechless. “I was euphoric and could hardly believe it. It is such an honour.” Besides his work as an information analyst at Amsterdam’s transport company GVB, he is also in his […] View ambassador

Serdar Manavoglu (he/him) Photography: Noah ValentynStyling & MUAH: Sjoerd WillemsenInterview: Paul Hofman Serdar Manavoglu (41) is the face of Pink Istanbul, which celebrates its tenth edition this year. Through his work he knows Amsterdam’s music, dance, art and gay scenes like no other. Pride Amsterdam is proud to have him as one of its ambassadors. Although his name suggests otherwise […] View ambassador

Mieke Martelhoff (she/her) Photography: Noah ValentynStyling & MUAH: Sjoerd WillemsenInterview: Paul Hofman Mieke Martelhoff (71) was the face of the world-famous lesbian café Vivelavie for 37 years. A legendary café where it was always a party. For her dedication she received a royal honour in 1999. And as the crowning achievement of her work, now the ambassadorship of […] View ambassador

Loena Maas (she/her) Photography: Noah ValentynStyling & MUAH: Sjoerd WillemsenInterview: Paul Hofman Pride Amsterdam has eight ambassadors this year who will carry the theme ‘Heroes’. With her story and infectious laugh, the young Loena Maas (20) stands out like no other. Being chosen from nine nominees surprised her enormously. “I was incredibly nervous and it took […] View ambassador

Jip van Leeuwen (he/him) Photography: Noah ValentynStyling & MUAH: Sjoerd WillemsenInterview: Paul Hofman As a representative of Amsterdam he was present in Washington DC when the Netherlands was awarded the Gay Games. With the award the city and Jip van Leeuwen made history. Twenty years later the then Director of Sport of Amsterdam, Jip van Leeuwen (75), is one of the […] View ambassador

Jennifer Hopelezz (she/her) Photography: Noah ValentynStyling & MUAH: Sjoerd WillemsenInterview: Paul Hofman When Jennifer Hopelezz (aka Richard Keldoulis) appears anywhere it’s always a party. But she is more than that; with heart and soul she carries a message. Her strength lies in the combination of drag and politics. That can be summed up in one line: “I make […] View ambassador

Jackson (he/him) Photography: Noah ValentynStyling & MUAH: Sjoerd WillemsenInterview: Paul Hofman For Amsterdammer through and through Jackson Adney (41) the ambassadorship is nothing strange. Previously he was the face of Trans United as ambassador. This year Jackson is one of the representatives of Pride Amsterdam. He is visibly moved when he says: “With my story as a trans man […] View ambassador

Francis van Broekhuizen (she/her) Photography: Noah ValentynStyling & MUAH: Sjoerd WillemsenInterview: Paul Hofman Not only as an ambassador of Pride Amsterdam does opera singer Francis van Broekhuizen (42) make her dream debut, but also later this year at the Nationale Opera. Between her various performances she talks about her life, work, ambassadorship and life motto. “Humour makes life lighter.” That she once […] View ambassador

Valentijn de Hingh (she/her) Photo: Philippe Vogelenzang Interview: Paul Hofman Dutch model, columnist and DJ. She is a trans woman. De Hingh became known through the documentary Valentijn, which followed her transition from male to female over nine years. She grew up in Lelystad and now lives in Amsterdam, where she studies literature and French at the University of Amsterdam. After […] View ambassador

Niki Today (she/her) Interview: Paul Hofman Theatre Queen, Miss Travestie Holland 2016. A theatrical soul with a heart of gold who greatly enjoys singing beautiful songs. “Be true to yourself, true to someone else and true to the world. This Is My Pride! Everyone experiences Pride differently. We are all unique, yet together we form a whole. […] View ambassador

Sjors van der Panne (he/him) Interview: Paul Hofman Dutch-language singer. He released his debut album Eén nacht in 2011, but broke through to a wider audience in 2014 when he participated in the talent show The Voice of Holland, where he finished second. In 2014 he also opened in the From Gogh museum, together with Liesbeth List, the so-called ‘Arts & […] View ambassador

Shary-An Nivillac (she/her) Photo: Annemieke van der TogtInterview: Paul Hofman During the first edition of The Voice of Holland, Shary-An broke through to a wide audience. She has since released three albums and scored hits with the songs Never Played The Bass and Summer of My Life. “If you listen to my song Save You […] View ambassador

Souad Boumedien (she/her) Photo: Martijn van VeenInterview: Paul Hofman This officer of Moroccan descent has worked at the police for more than 20 years. Souad Boumedien wants to use her ambassadorship to build alliances to combat exclusion. “With the theme This Is My Pride we celebrate that we are human, however different. We breathe the same oxygen […] View ambassador

Gebr. Grimm (he/him) “Add a touch of class with the Glitter and Glamour of the Brothers Grimm.” Robert Anthony and Thom Rijpstra, also known as the Gebroeders Grimm, are familiar faces in the capital and at Amsterdam Pride. They frequently host events, dressed in unique costumes. “Wherever we appear, we like to be welcome guests. […] View ambassador

Ana Paula Lima (she/her) (Interview Paul Hofman) Enthusiastic activist for all transgender people of Brazilian heritage. “I can’t be myself everywhere. As a transgender person I don’t always feel safe. Even in the Netherlands there are places where I don’t want people to know I’m trans. I am an ambassador this year because most transgender people […] View ambassador

Conchita Wurst (she/her) Photo: Philippe Vogelenzang Singer and fashion icon Conchita Wurst has been immensely popular since winning the Eurovision Song Contest 2014 in Copenhagen. Since then she has been a true hero for the International Gay Rights Movement and we are very proud to announce that she is the international ambassador of EuroPride 2016 Amsterdam. A few weeks […] View ambassador

Sipke Jan Bousema (he/him) Photo: Philippe VogelenzangInterview: Natasja Floor “For me Pride is the celebration of freedom. I feel free here in Amsterdam to be who I want to be and I would like to share that feeling. In my documentary ‘Strijders voor de Liefde’ I have seen what it is like to live as a gay person in […] View ambassador

May Day (she/her) (Photo Philippe Vogelenzang) (Interview Marco Hohl) The Netherlands’ best-known drag personality. In 1995 Diva Mayday broke through to the mainstream by regularly appearing on various TV programmes. Nowadays she works internationally, in addition to all shows and presenting jobs, also as a DJ and since 2010 as organiser of Can You Feel iT? By Gay.nl she is […] View ambassador

Tara McDonald (she/her) Photo: Management Tara For the EuroPride Anthem we have the privilege to work with UK artist Tara McDonald. The extravagant Queen of Dance will be performing on several outdoor stages during our EuroPride festival. Please tell us something about Tara I’m a singer/songwriter signed to Mercury/Universal; music is my first love. I’m also a music […] View ambassador

Margriet van der Linden (she/her) Photo: Philippe VogelenzangInterview Paul Hofman Dutch journalist. From September 2008 to October 2013 she was editor-in-chief of the feminist magazine Opzij. In the summer of 2009 she presented the VPRO programme Zomergasten and in 2015 she participated in the TV show Wie is de Mol and later that year her first book De Liefde […] View ambassador

Dolly Bellefleur (she/her) Photo: Marcus Koppen Love, that’s what it’s about, nothing more and nothing less. Or, as ambassador Dolly Bellefleur puts it: “Ladies and ladies, gentlemen and gentlemen, ladies and gentlemen however you consume love, let love reign. Whether you are gay, straight, lesbian, transgender or bi. We are family. Long live […] View ambassador

Raymi Sambo (he/him) Photo: Marcus Koppen Ambassador Raymi Sambo is down-to-earth about his coming out. “I had a boyfriend and I told my family. I didn’t feel I owed them an explanation. They also didn’t announce they were straight.” Raymi loves creating new things, conceiving and executing ideas. That is why […] View ambassador

Emmaly Brown (she/her) She is one of the three Gay Pride ambassadors of 2015 and also lends her powerhouse voice to the Gay Pride Anthem 2015: I Am What I Am (and I Don’t Give a Damn): Emmaly Brown. The Hague native became a household name after taking part in The Voice of Holland in 2014, where she made it to the […] View ambassador

Sjeazy Pearl (she/her) Photo: Marjolijn van Veen Winner Beauty & The Beat 2013 “Homosexuality is a taboo in my culture. But I decided that others should accept me for who I am. When I still hear comments that I will burn in hell, it affects me. This is my theme, listen to me, listen to your heart, which […] View ambassador

Lady Galore (she/her) Photo: Marjolijn van Veen Winner Pink Lieverdje 2014 “Amsterdam Gay Pride is still needed. It is a celebration of freedom. How can you be against that? The gay rights movement is never finished and visibility is essential to be accepted. Drag queens and transvestites, because of their striking appearance, are often the target of discrimination […] View ambassador

Siep de Haan (he/him) Organizer Amsterdam Gay Pride 1996 – 2005. Siep was the organiser of the first Amsterdam Canal Parade in 1996. The images were broadcast on CNN around the world. In March of this year he received the Andreas Medal from the Mayor of Amsterdam. He received this for his services to the city’s image […] View ambassador

Hans Verhoeven (he/him) Photo: Wouter van Gens & Alessandro Pisano Since the early 1980s Hans Verhoeven (Amsterdam, 15-12-1964) has been active in Amsterdam’s LGBT community. He initiated the founding of several organisations, such as Roze Wester, GALA and the Homogroep Buitenveldert, and countless events, such as ‘10 commandments for a vibrant gay Amsterdam’, ‘Pink Christmas’, ‘Leather […] View ambassador

Raffaëla Paton (she/her) Photo: Wouter van Gens & Alessandro Pisano Pride Ambassador since 2013 View ambassador

Miss Windy Mills (she/her) ‘Reflect’ is a wonderful theme for this year’s Amsterdam Gay Pride. When I was younger I was bullied for who I was. Now I am loved for who I’ve always been. When I came out of the closet my family was happy for me and said: ‘Sweetie. We knew since you were four years old’. […] View ambassador