17th Pink Gesture

Description

Roze Gebaar is a working group within COC Nederland that advocates for lhbtiqa+ people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or deafblind. The group was founded in 1982 out of the need for its own network within the deaf community.

During WorldPride 2026 in Amsterdam, Roze Gebaar will showcase how powerful connection can be when sign language, identity and visibility come together. With its own spot on the Canal Parade on 1 August, the organisation brings an inspiring and inclusive story to the canals, centring deaf culture and sign language. The theme “United by Sign Language” aligns with the overarching UNITY theme and emphasises that sign language connects people across borders.

Sign language lies at the heart of this message. Since the recognition of Dutch Sign Language (NGT) in 2021, visibility has increased significantly. At the same time, it remains essential to strengthen the position of the deaf community. Sign language is not just a means of communication but a rich, fully fledged language and culture that connects people worldwide. On Roze Gebaar’s boat, participants from across the globe come together, creating an international community centred on diversity and exchange.

The Canal Parade offers a stage where the public can see and feel the power of sign language and the bond between participants. The boat will become a lively, expressive place with sign language as its foundation. Through gestures, expression and performances, an accessible experience will arise in which connection becomes tangible and visible.

In a time when differences are sometimes amplified, UNITY stands for connection, equality and space for everyone’s identity. The boat’s colours are chosen with care: pink, the colour of our association, represents unity, togetherness and the strength of our community; orange, our national colour, together with pink forms the word UNITY and underlines connection and solidarity. The boat is further decorated with deaf flags, an international symbol of the deaf community and sign language, expressing unity, culture, inclusion and visibility worldwide.

With “United by Sign Language,” Roze Gebaar shows that connection can be fully realised through sign language—through gestures, expression and recognition of each other’s language and identity. Roze Gebaar demonstrates that true strength arises when everyone comes together, is seen, and can participate fully in the community.