Amsterdam Celebrates Gay Pride*

Sunday August 5, 2007 2:31 AM

By TOBY STERLING

Associated Press Writer

AMSTERDAM, Netherlands (AP) - Gays and lesbians put on their brightest
plumage Saturday and a rainbow fleet sailed through Amsterdam's historic
canals as the city celebrated its annual Gay Pride festival.

The party drew an estimated 375,000 to 500,000 people and took place in
the shadow of a spate of gay-bashing attacks this year which has
surprised a city renowned for its tolerance.

DJs pumped music from ships packed with dancing partygoers, vying for
the most outrageous theme. Well-muscled men were wore leather thong
underwear, cowboy hats, disco glitter, and little else. One of the boats
featured lesbian Elvis impersonators with pink hair. In another,
lesbians in bikinis with fairy wings danced wildly.

For the first time, a designated ``hetero-boat'' was among the more than
70 vessels officially participating. Hundreds more cruised the canals
just for fun.

Crowds lined the canals to watch the boats pass, basking in the first
warm weekend since summer started.

``I think it's a great opportunity to promote tolerance and
anti-discrimination,'' said Janz Froster who traveled from Germany to
attend.

Amsterdam police spokesman Gerard Vrooland said there had been 16
gay-bashing attacks in the city so far this year, compared with 10 in
all of last year. Vrooland attributed the increase to police efforts to
encourage victims to come forward.