Acceptance of LGBTQ+ individuals in the Netherlands continues to decline, with just 43 percent of community members now saying that societal
Acceptance of LGBTQ+ individuals in the Netherlands continues to decline, with just 43 percent of community members now saying that societal attitudes are positive, down from 62 percent five years ago. The annual Pride survey by EenVandaag, conducted among 22,218 people including 2,416 LGBTQ+ respondents, shows growing concern over both public and private expressions of intolerance. Many respondents pointed to increased hostility online and in public spaces, particularly from religious, conservative, and bicultural communities. Participants described a surge in hate speech on social media and the influence of right-wing, often Christian, conservative politicians and influencers. Some cited incidents on the street involving young men of bicultural backgrounds. One respondent said, “When my boyfriend and I face hostility on the street, it’s from boys with a different background.” He also referred to online videos in which people chant “death to gays.” “We’ve experienced that too,” he told EenVandaag. In addition to public hostility, nearly half of LGBTQ+ respondents (47 percent) said family members, friends, and colleagues are more likely now than in previous years to express offensive views out loud. One participant recalled an incident at a family birthday: “My 21-year-old nephew suddenly said that he and his friends don’t think being gay is normal and that gay people shouldn’t be so pushy. He used to be such a sweet kid with a good upbringing.”
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The hostility from young “bicultural” men is one of the reasons gay men flock to the far-right, even as the homophobia from that particular group increases.
