What is the gay tour all about? Click here or read below!
The lgbtqi+ gay history tour, Henk takes you through 750 years of Amsterdam's gay history
As a little boy at age 11 Henk knew that he was gay and that he could not come out, only years later he came out to his family and friends. When he moved to Amsterdam he found his place and could finally start his life. That is how he felt. His gay family in Amsterdam means everything to him and although many are gay, he also has heterosexual friends. But it was this self found family that supported him and encouraged him to be who he is.
Many members of the LGBT community are not born in their own community, as many have heterosexual parents. With the tour Henk wants to transfer stories, gay heroes and battles of the shining mosaic that the community is from one generation to another and to anybody who will listen.
Henk will recite poems, read out of books from Dutch writers, bring back alive forgotten activists and connect them all together in the tale of the gay family. If you are LGBTQI+, be proud to be member of the community. How did gay marriage happen, the homomonument, all those pro nouns, how did that happen? Henk will enlighten you.
Are you heterosexual then be amazed and awed by the community your gay friends, brother, sister, co-worker belong to. Yes you have gay people around you. If not, think again. Take the tour and your gay friends will look at you in amazement.
The tour is easy accesible and for everybody available.
If you are a company or organization show your employees and clients that you are serious about being inclusive and diverse. Its all about being a safe space (the workfloor) and rolemodels. Is the LGBT community represented in management? And more.
Discover more things to do in Amsterdam.
Reviews:
" Terrific Tour, great guide", "Henk is a walking library", "educational and fun", "informative and entertaining, not just for gays", "excellent tour and friendly guide", "Henk is a fountain of knowledge", "you will see a great hidden history of Amsterdam","Fabulous walking tour" "Poetic".
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For tickets click on above button to go to the eventbrite bookingsite. For questions mail us on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
The Queer Storyteller
The story of forgotten Queer Heroes
Different narratives
New perspectives
Henk has now taken his storytelling to the stage. During Pride 2024 he started with the story of gay resistence fighters in WWII. But why do we not now this story, how come another story was told?
During World Pride 2026 where we will celebrate 25 years of gay marriage in the Netherlands, the first in the world. There will be several occasions with different topics celebrating the community.
As Henk always says, its time for a different narrative and the future of history is diverse and inclusive. Be proud of the community we belong to and our shared history.
A monologue based on the LGBT History Tour Amsterdam by the gay tour-guide Henk B. de Vries.
The LGBT community is the only minority that does not grow up in its own community. Their common history is therefore not shared by everyone. Is there a common history? and what is the future of the community? Henk has been passing on the history of the community in the LGBT History Tour for seven years now. He is passionate and wants to reach a different and new audience in this way.
Henk will bring this story telling back on stage during World Pride 2026 in Amsterdam.
GAY LGBTQI+ History Tour Amsterdam : 750 years of gay lgbtqai+ history...
Amsterdam as front runner in GAY LGBTQI+ rights in the world?
When you visit Amsterdam and wonder what to do? Things to do?
Getting to know Amsterdam and a hidden side of it. Get to know Amsterdam as you have never known before.
Suitable for LGBTIQ+ and heterosexuals.
The Netherlands was the first country in the world with a monument for LGBT victims and the first country where same sex marriages were legal.
In the roaring 80's and 90’s Amsterdam was the GAY capital of the world.
The tour takes you on a trip through historic Amsterdam and goes from the 17th Century until 2001 the year of GAY marriage. We start at the Homo monument and end at “het Mandje”, the oldest gay bar in the world on the Zeedijk.
Your guide Henk is a passionate queer activist.
Check tickets for availability, standard every Saturday. But also on demand, starting at the Homo monument.
Duration 2 hours
Henk has been happy to welcome thousends of Gay, LGBTIQ, Queer and even some straight people from around the world.
Starting at the Homo monument, the first in the world.
Along the canals to Dam square where the Palace is (background) and the War monument.
Ending at the bar 't Mandje" on the Zeedijk.
GAY HEROES : the merchandise line of Special Amsterdam Tours. Tote bags, buttons and stickers...
As the history nerd Henk is, he has made it his job to bring back forgotten Gay Heroes. Heroes that made a change for the community and who he admires. So being the creative nerd he is, he has created some merc. you can order when you book the tour.
..
Amsterdam Pride, demonstrations, events and more over the years
LHBT Gay Geschiedenis Tour van Amsterdam, de verborgen kant van Amsterdam.
I.s.m. Volksuniversiteit Amsterdam
Nu ook in het Nederlands voor een Amsterdamse prijs.
LHBT Gay Geschiedenis Tour van Amsterdam, voor scholieren en studenten.
Alleen nu in December
Groepsprijs euro 150,-- voor 15 personen.
Company tours for diversity and inclusivity
These are new times, companies that are diverse and inclusive perform better. The LGBT community is ready for a new phase and take its place within society. With that comes recognition for their own gay history. Many companies have gone before you. A company outing in Amsterdam, a stroll in historic Amsterdam while being enlightened with a fascinating hidden history. Full with Dutch gay icons.
Some of the companies that have gone before you : Cultuur en Ondernemen, KLM-over the Rainbow, PlanetRomeo, Lucid, Leaseplan, Aids Congres 2019 and more.
Reviews
Lucid software
Our Diversity & Inclusion group at Lucid Software organised a Walking tour with Henk to help our team members getting to know more about LGBT+ history in Amsterdam. Both members and non-members of the LGBT+ community found the tour VERY interesting. Henk brings the light on times in History that are usually not spoken about, we all learnt so much and had great conversation about what it all means for us in present times. We already repeated the tour with a second group and we are definitely keeping in touch with Henk for more tours for new team members joining our company later.
Thank you so much Henk!
ING Bank Rainbow Lions
In April 2022, the Rainbow Lions (ING's employee network for LGBTI+ colleagues and allies) joined Henk on a tour of 400+ years of LGBTI+ history in Amsterdam, with a special focus on what happened in and with the community during the 2nd WW. It was a very inspiring tour with lots of interesting and moving facts, highlighting many people and events. In a very pleasant pace, Henk took us through Amsterdam, sharing all he knows, often adding a personal touch to it. We very much enjoyed and appreciated it!
From a business perspective I'd like to add that it's very pleasant cooperating with Henk, as he quickly responds to queries and enthusiastically thinks along with you, aiming to make the tour the most pleasant and interesting experience for all involved. So, I'd highly recommend joining his LGBTI+ tours of Amsterdam, for both private individuals, as well as businesses!
Bedrijfsuitje? : diversiteit en inclusiviteit
Het zijn nieuwe tijden, onderzoek wijst uit dat bedrijven die divers en inclusief zijn beter presteren. Ook vraagt de markt, consumenten om bedrijven en producten die verantwoordelijk werken. Minderheden zijn samen een meerderheid geworden. De LHBT gemeenschap is nu ruim 50 (vijftig) jaar bezig met een emancipatie proces. Waarbij zij de barricaden opgingen en probeerden hun zichtbaarheid en positie te verbeteren.
Een eigen geschiedenisschrijving hoort daarbij. Special Amsterdam Tours en in het bijzonder Henk geeft reeds sinds 2016 een tour waarbij 400 jaar Nederlandse gay geschiedenis behandeld wordt. Tijdens een mooie wandeling door Amsterdam wordt u bijgepraat over belangrijke gay helden. Een verborgen geschiedenis die voor velen nieuw zal zijn en even boeiend als noodzakelijk is voor wie wil staan voor een nieuwe maatschappij die divers en inclusief is.
Enige bedrijven en organisaties die u zijn voorgegaan : Cultuur en Ondernemen, KLM, PlanetRomeo, Lucid, PlanLease, Aids Congres 2019 and more.
Your tourguide Henk on LinkedIn
Please support the LGBT community
Many LGBTIQ+ communities around the world suffer because of the homophobic societies they live in. Do you want to support gay rights and projects around the world? Please donate to the Planet Romeo Foundation. Henk used to work as a board member.
We from Special Amsterdam Tours recommend the following gay (friendly) businesses in Amsterdam.
Let your pink dollar and euro do the talking
Pink Point right next to the homo monument is a long established source of information and fun gay things to shop for to remember your trip to Amsterdam by. If you forgot to order the GAY HERO bag when you booked the ticket. You can always get it here as well. Another personal favorite are the 2 Blue Dutch boys or girls kissing. You cannot get more Dutch.
Cafe 't Mandje, gay history still kicking
When you walked the tour with Henk, you know you will have to visit this cafe. Order your drink with Guido and sit in this bar that dates back to 1927 and where gay and lesbian footstep lie for decades. Let is sink in it will be hard to find another place in the world with this history. Henk recommends.
Your guides
Amsterdam Special Tours is all about Amsterdam and so are our guides. We have a passion for the city and its history and there is always a personal connection to our guides and Amsterdam.
Henk
Henk has been living in Amsterdam since 1989 and has a very personal relationship with Amsterdam. As a true Amsterdammer he loves his city and can complain a lot about how it's being run. Henk is the creator of the LGBT GAY HISTORY TOUR and also available for public speaking. He strongly believes that the LGBTI community should help each other, therefore he supports the Planet Romeo Foundation. They fund projects for LGBTI communities around the world. https://www.planetromeofoundation.org
Are you looking for undivided attention and a tour especially for you. Book a private tour (1-4 persons), starting from euro 350,--
Tour given for KLM network Over the Rainbow
Sam
Sam was born in Amsterdam and is a real Amsterdammer. Infused by his mother with history and stories. He finished his History Bachelor at Amsterdam University and is now working at a environmental organization.
Like his gay father Henk, he is a raconteur and story-teller pur sang.
Eve
Eve lives and breathes Amsterdam. As she says herself, she was born in the wrong city and thats why she moved as soon as she could to Amsterdam. Where she met her man and raised our four children.
Eve will lighten up your tour with the history she knows and the sparkle she brings to the group.
Special Amsterdam Tours tailor-made for you
Special Amsterdam Tours also provides private and company tours. We can also organize special tailor-made tours for you as long as they have to do with Amsterdam and its history.
Would you be interested in a tour about 19th Century Dutch painters, such as Breitner? We can show you his girl in kimono and the story behind it. It hangs in the Rijksmuseum.
How about a tour in our national museum that King William III refused to open? Do you want us tell you why? And how his great grand daughther Queen Beatrix reopened it after renovations a 100 years later?
We have the Special Amsterdam Tour for you. Please feel free to contact us for possibilities and questions. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Ook tours in het Nederlands voor LHBTIQ organisaties en meer, gewoon even vragen.
Tour given by Henk for KLM LGBT network, Over the Rainbow. Click here.
Henk speaks gay. The tour and other gay topics. Click here.
The Low season, being a tour guide during Covid. A podcast.
Henk on Linkedin. For companies and organizations who go for diversity and inclusivity
Facebook : LGBT Tours in Amsterdam
On your own LGBT walking tour in Amsterdam for I Amsterdam. (Dutch)
Article Vrije Tijd Amsterdam (Dutch)
Winq magazine. Gay residence fighter. (Dutch)
World Pride 2026 in Amsterdam. Opinion piece by Henk. (Dutch)