Gay Pride 2009 celebrates forty years since the beginning of the modern gay rights movement this year, John Hillman previews the party in Amsterdam, one of the biggest shindigs of them all.

Forty years ago the gay community began its long fight for equality after a raid on a bar in the early hours of June 28 1969, in Greenwhich Village, New York, sparked a series of angry demonstrations that led to the formation of the modern gay rights movement.

The Stonewall riots, as they became known, set the stage for the long struggle that followed over the subsequent decades, and today, in most of Europe and the US at least, sexual minorities can enjoy the change of emphasis that goes with Gay Pride marches from one of protest to one of celebration.

Gay Pride ’09 takes place at different places across Europe, but one of the largest parties kicks off in Amsterdam on July 30 and lasts until August 2. Dancing in the street, flamboyant costumes, and a totally unique floating Canal Parade through the city makes this one of the must see events in Amsterdam’s calendar.

The city’s 19,400 hotel rooms will be filling up fast as thousands of party people descend on the city for a series of weeklong street parties, with clubs and bars packed to the rafters, this will not be the best week for a quiet stroll along the Rembrandplein.

Amsterdam is just a short drive from Rotterdam, which you can get to with a mini-cruise on P&O Ferries from Hull.

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Image Credit: FaceMePlease

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