This year, we are participating in the Amsterdam canal parade for the third time under the name Roze Gebaar, an initiative that began in the 1980s from the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community, who were seeking a place to gather. Since then, it has grown into a vibrant working group within COC Netherlands, where Deaf, hard-of-hearing, and Deafblind LGBTQ+ people work together to advocate for their interests and promote inclusion.

One of our primary goals is to make events accessible to everyone. That is why we provide Dutch Sign Language (NGT) interpreters at events like the Remembrance Day ceremony at the Homomonument, the Drag Olympics, Roze Zaterdag, and the Pride Walk. This allows Deaf, hard-of-hearing, and Deafblind people to fully participate in these events. Roze Gebaar also organizes its own events and meetings.

Our commitment to accessibility goes beyond events. We also offer education at Deaf schools, where we discuss topics like diversity and sexuality in sign language. It is crucial that young Deaf and hard-of-hearing people can understand and discuss these topics in their own language. One of our new goals is to make information about PrEP available in sign language, so everyone can stay well-informed.

This year is especially meaningful for Roze Gebaar because we are celebrating our 42nd anniversary! What a milestone! To mark the occasion, we are proudly taking part in the Pride Amsterdam canal parade. It is going to be an impressive experience, not just for us but for everyone who sees us passing by. Let’s come together to celebrate the joy of diversity and work toward a more accessible world for Deaf, hard-of-hearing, and Deafblind people.