Ambassadors

For several years Pride Amsterdam has appointed multiple Pride Ambassadors. They are diverse spokespeople who reflect the richness and colour of the LGBTI community. Each year the group is expanded with new faces that fit the theme for that year.

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

Sarah Trecia (she/her) In Uganda I hardly knew anyone else 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 people applauding on the quay won't disappear anymore 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 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 Director (she/her) Text: Paul HofmanPhoto: Leon HendrickxVideo: Paradox Productions Ambassador Karen de Lathouder: ‘Together is better than alone’ It’s the first time in Pride Amsterdam’s history that a senior woman from the business world has become an ambassador. Karen de Lathouder (46), Chief Operating Officer Assets at Eneco, is looking forward to her ambassadorship. ‘Amazing.’ It’s also special that […] View ambassador

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

Inge Lamboo (she/her) Text: Paul HofmanPhoto: Leon HendrickxVideo: Paradox Productions Singer-songwriter Inge Lamboo: ‘Nothing more beautiful than being the coolest version of yourself’. Shortly after her performance at the Pride Amsterdam kick-off party, thunderous applause fills the room. Rising talent Inge Lamboo (25) is carried on the crowd’s hands. She is a singer and a TikTok sensation […] 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. Rikkie is now 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 retina. ‘Completely 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, subtitled 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 Productions Ambassador Paul Morris was born in Caracas, where he also grew up. 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’s eager to get to work. The Rotterdam native is incredibly happy to serve as 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) is now indispensable in the LGBTI community. From can rightly be said to have made a meteoric career. Where this non-binary gem was handing out flyers for a party at the Melkweg four years ago, they have since […] View ambassador

Linda de Munck (she/her) Text: Paul HofmanPhoto: Remon van den KommerVideo: Paradox Productions Undoubtedly she is the Pride ambassador with the most outspoken views. Linda de Munck (27) is versatile: she is a presenter, writer and above all an influencer. With more than 42,000 followers she is a figurehead and at the same time a role model for many bi(sexual) 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 undoubtedly this year’s 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 2022: an activist at heart and a natural connector. In 2017 she won the Jos Brink Innovation Prize together with an Amsterdam police spokesperson. Not long after that she was […] View ambassador

Jason Bhugwandass (he/him) Text: Paul HofmanPhoto: Remon van den KommerVideo: Paradox Productions Trans man Jason Bhugwandass (24): ‘Transition or death’In an old local café around the corner from Jason we talk with him about his youth, life, transition and studies. Together with BeyonG he is a 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 ProductionsLeather fetish advocate Suzanne van de Laar: ‘Bring leather out of the taboo sphere.’ When she was asked to be one of the 2022 ambassadors, she reacted in disbelief. ‘Awesome,’ she says with a laugh. It filled her with pride. The pansexual leatherwoman and former Miss Leather will proudly take on the role, […] View ambassador

Barrie Stevens (he/him) Text: Paul HofmanPhoto: Remon van den KommerVideo: Paradox Productions Theatre figurehead Barrie Stevens: an artist through and through. At seventeen he left prudish England for the Netherlands. A long career on stage followed. Sixty years later it’s 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 the winner of the TV 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 named Youth Pride ambassador for the upcoming Pride. A role that perfectly suits the Amsterdam native. In 2019 Robin (22) already had the burning ambition to take on that 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 miss his generous laugh and infectious enthusiasm terribly. We offer our condolences to Robin, his family and friends, and to the leather community of which he was so proud to be a part as they mourn and process this loss […] View ambassador

Tieneke Sumter (she/her) Interview: Paul Hofman Activism runs in Tieneke Sumter (57)’s blood from a young age. She was born in Suriname in the early 1960s to a lesbian mother. She moved to the Netherlands with her mother when she was six. She liked the new country. It’s where she developed her determination to fight 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 LGBT+ people. This year he is an ambassador for Pride Amsterdam. “There is still a lot we need to overcome for […] 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 in the late 1960s from Biafra, which was then torn by a brutal civil war. Sherry Jae (53) has had to fight against many […] View ambassador

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

Amber Vineyard (she/her) Photography: Prisma CompositionalVideo: Paradox ProductionsInterview: Paul Hofman She walks into the Pride Amsterdam office smiling. Amber Vineyard has just landed from Oslo. These months she’s flying across Europe to judge, take part in, and share her expertise at various balls organised by ballroom communities across the continent. Voguing, the iconic 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 sixteen-year-old Justin Hermsen, it was a huge surprise to be nominated as a candidate youth ambassador. Justin was speechless when he heard that that Sunday afternoon in February at A’DAM TOWER he had been unanimously chosen as the winner 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 big surprise to be asked to become an ambassador. The diva’s schedule is now rapidly filling up. Pride Amsterdam conducted an in-depth 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 Compositional Video: Paradox Productions Interview: Paul Hofman The ambassadors of Pride Amsterdam make up a diverse group this year. Raymond Timmer is a prominent figure who has earned his stripes as a leading representative for other foundations. To to their great surprise, 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 Compositional Video: Paradox Productions Interview: Paul Hofman Ambassador Dinah Bons is a woman with a résumé as solid as a rock. As an activist for, among others, the rights of sex workers and bi-cultural LGBT people, the Moluccan trans woman Dinah has made a name for herself in the pink community. Her motto? “Do beautiful things for others and yourself.” SCHEDULE Her schedule fills […] View ambassador

Jeffrey Wammes (he/him) Photography: Prisma CompositionalVideo: Paradox ProductionsInterview: Paul HofmanFormer top gymnast Jeffrey Wammes was extremely proud when Pride Amsterdam asked him to be one of the 2019 ambassadors. “It’s a great honour for me. On a personal level it means a lot. In a way it’s quite strange that Pride is still necessary. There is still […] View ambassador

Vanny Reyes (he/him) Photography: Noah Valentyn Styling & MUAH: Sjoerd Willemsen Interview: Paul Hofman When he was asked to become an ambassador for Pride Amsterdam 2018, Vanny Reyes was momentarily speechless. “I was euphoric and could hardly believe it. It’s such an honour.” Besides his work as an information analyst at Amsterdam’s public transport company GVB, he is also involved 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 this year celebrates its tenth edition. 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 might suggest 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 women’s café Vivelavie for 37 years. A legendary café where it was always a celebration. For her dedication she received a royal honour in 1999. And now, as the crowning achievement of her work, 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 represent the theme “Heroes.” With her story and infectious laugh, the young Loena Maas (20) stands out like no other. She was very surprised to be chosen from nine nominees. “I was incredibly nervous and it took […] View ambassador

Jip van Leeuwen (he/him) Photography: Noah Valentyn Styling & MUAH: Sjoerd Willemsen Interview: Paul Hofman As Amsterdam’s representative, he was in Washington, D.C. when the Gay Games were awarded to the Netherlands. With that decision, the city and Jip van Leeuwen made history. Twenty years later, the former Director of Sport for Amsterdam, Jip van Leeuwen (75), is one of the […] View ambassador

Jennifer Hopelezz (she/her) Photography: Noah Valentyn Styling & MUAH: Sjoerd Willemsen Interview: Paul Hofman When Jennifer Hopelezz (aka Richard Keldoulis) appears, a party follows. But she is more than that — she carries a message with heart and soul. Her strength lies in the blend of drag and politics. It admits of only one explanation: “I make […] View ambassador

Jackson (he/him) Photography: Noah ValentynStyling & MUAH: Sjoerd WillemsenInterview: Paul Hofman For Amsterdam heart and soul Jackson Adney (41) is no stranger to ambassadorship. Previously he served as the face of Trans United. 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 for 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 VogelenzangInterview: 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 literary studies and French at the University of Amsterdam. After […] View ambassador

Niki Today (she/her) Interview: Paul Hofman Theatre Queen, Miss Travestie Holland 2016. A theatre soul with a heart of gold who loves 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 each unique, yet still […] View ambassador

Sjors van der Panne (he/him) Interview: Paul Hofman Dutch-language singer. He released his debut album Eén nacht uit in 2011, and reached a wider audience in 2014 when he competed on the talent show The Voice of Holland, finishing in second place. In 2014 he also opened the so-called ‘Arts & […]’ at the From From Gogh Museum, together with Liesbeth List. View ambassador

Shary-An Nivillac (she/her) Photo: Annemieke van der Togt Interview: Paul Hofman At the first edition of The Voice of Holland, Shary-An broke through to the mainstream. She now has three albums to her name and scored hits with 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 Veen Interview: Paul Hofman This officer of Moroccan descent has worked for the police for more than 20 years. Souad Boumedien wants to use her ambassadorship to build alliances to counter exclusion. “With the theme This Is My Pride we celebrate our shared humanity, despite our differences. 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, known as the Gebroeders Grimm, are familiar faces in the capital and at Amsterdam Pride. They regularly 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 transgender people of Brazilian origin. “I can’t always be who I am 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 become 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 Vogelenzang Interview: Natasja Floor “For me Pride is the celebration of freedom. I feel free in Amsterdam to be who I want to be and I want to share that feeling. In my documentary ‘Strijders voor de Liefde’ I saw 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 became well known to the public through frequent appearances on various TV programmes. Today she works internationally, alongside shows and presenting gigs also as a DJ and since 2010 she has organised Can You Feel iT? Through 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 at several outdoor stages during our EuroPride festival. Please tell us something about Tara I’m a singer/songwriter signed with Mercury/Universal, music is my first love. I’m also a music […] View ambassador

Margriet van der Linden (she/her) Photo: Philippe Vogelenzang Interview: 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 took part 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 is what it’s about, nothing more and nothing less. Or, as ambassador Dolly Bellefleur puts it: “Ladies and ladies, gentlemen 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 matter-of-fact about his coming out. “I had a boyfriend and I told my family. I felt I didn’t owe them an explanation. They also never said they were straight.” Raymi loves creating, imagining and executing new things. That’s why […] View ambassador

Emmaly Brown (she/her) She is one of the three Gay Pride ambassadors of 2015 and 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 resident of The Hague became a national celebrity after participating in The Voice of Holland in 2014, where she reached 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 hurts. 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 targets of discrimination […] View ambassador

Siep de Haan (he/him) Organizer Amsterdam Gay Pride 1996 – 2005. Siep organised the first Amsterdam Canal Parade in 1996. The images were broadcast by CNN around the world. In March of this year he received the Andreas Medal from the Mayor of Amsterdam for his services to the city's public image. He received this for his contributions to the appearance of the city […] 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 the Roze Wester, GALA and the Homogroep Buitenveldert, and countless events, like ‘10 geboden voor een bruisend 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 marvellous 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 my family was happy for me and said: ‘Sweetie. We knew since you were four years old’. […] View ambassador