Safety for LGBTQIA+ individuals
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If you feel unsafe in the Netherlands because of your sexual orientation or you would like to report discrimination because you are an LGBTQIA+ individual, you will find information and organisations that can help you on this page.
Safety as an LGBTQIA+ individual in the Netherlands
Generally speaking, you are safe in the Netherlands as an LGBTQIA+ individual. In the Netherlands, you have the same rights as heterosexual people. As a man, you are allowed to marry a man. And as a woman, you are allowed to marry a woman. You may not be discriminated against in the Netherlands on the grounds of your identity or sexual orientation. This is set out in Article 1 of the Dutch Constitution, the most important law in the Netherlands:
“Everyone in the Netherlands shall be treated equally in comparable circumstances. Discrimination on the grounds of religion, belief, political opinion, race, gender, disability, sexual orientation or on any other grounds whatsoever is prohibited.”
This therefore applies not only to Dutch citizens, but to everyone in the Netherlands.
However, some people in the street may react in an unpleasant or aggressive way if you are walking hand in hand with your partner, or if your partner kisses you in public. This can make you feel unsafe.
So what can you do?
Report discrimination or violence to a special police team
If you experience an incident of discrimination or violence because you belong to the LGBTQIA+ community, you can report this to the police. You have the right to report it to the police. The police are there to enforce Dutch laws and that includes the safety of LGBTQIA+ refugees.
The Dutch police have a special LGBTQIA+ network that you can contact to report such incidents. This network is called
Safe reception centre for LGBTQIA+ refugees
If you living in a reception centre for refugees and do not feel comfortable or safe there, this organization can help you:
VluchtelingenWerk Nederland (VWN)
You can ask