Richard AmmonAmsterdam is the capital and largest city of the Netherlands with a population of 750,000. It is not the seat of government (in The Hague) which is one of the most liberal in the world. Marijuana and prostitution are both legal here. The city is one of the gay capitals of Europe with marriage rights granted to all Dutch citizens. The city was the first to construct a major public memorial to homosexuals (photos #42-44) who have been persecuted in war and peace.
(Another public memorial was opened in Berlin in 2008 – there are several other monuments around the world.)
Amsterdam also hosted the Gay Games in 1998.
(Also see the Gay Holland story)
