Amsterdam Police Chief Pledges Safety for WorldPride

When dozens of drag queens and kings arrived by boat at Amsterdam's H'ART Museum on Wednesday, they were greeted by an unexpected ally in high heels and glamour appreciation: the city's police chief.

Peter Holla opened the COC's Shakespeare Club, a temporary community space for LGBTQ+ people running through July 31. His message was clear: courage deserves protection.

"Behind the high heels and the glamour lies a great deal of courage," Holla told the performers, according to Amsterdam broadcaster AT5. "That deserves admiration, and it deserves safety."

The event kicked off three days before Amsterdam hosts WorldPride for the first time, an international Pride festival running from July 25 to August 8. Drag performer Dolly Bellefleur led the ceremony at the museum's jetty on the Amstel River.

Holla acknowledged that Amsterdam's reputation as a tolerant city requires constant work. "We are a city of tolerance, but it is hard work to actually make that true," he said.

The police chief outlined specific ways his force supports the LGBTQ+ community. Officers from Roze in Blauw, the national police network for LGBTQ+ people, participate in the Canal Parade, Asian Pride, the Trans Pride Walk, and the Trans Diner.

The department also runs information sessions for refugees from countries where police represent fear rather than safety. This outreach helps build trust with people who have experienced law enforcement very differently.

Holla urged anyone facing intimidation or violence to report it. "Reporting is not easy, and many victims are afraid or just want to get on with their lives," he said. "But we really need the information."

Why This Inspires

Public safety officials standing with vulnerable communities sends a powerful message beyond policy. When a police chief shows up to celebrate drag performers and promises protection, it transforms the relationship between law enforcement and LGBTQ+ people from transactional to genuinely supportive.

Bellefleur noted how rare this public backing is worldwide. Many countries still criminalize LGBTQ+ identities, and police often enforce those laws.

Amsterdam's approach shows what's possible when cities commit to making tolerance more than just a slogan. By meeting people where they are, literally arriving at community events, police can rebuild trust and create actual safety.

As WorldPride brings thousands of international visitors to Amsterdam, this visible support matters even more.