Drawing attention with a dress which diameter reaches over 16 meters, is an easy first. Starting the conversation on the meaning behind the different flags, is second. But changing opinions and move LGBTI+ rights forward, is our ultimate goal.

The Amsterdam Rainbow Dress sparks conversation through awe, and coming 2021 Worldpride and EuroGames in Copenhagen will be no different.

During the Human Rights Forum in Malmö, the Amsterdam Rainbow Dress will be on display to highlight discussions regarding forces displacement and the rights of LGBTI+ refugees.

This is a short documentary about the project and story behind Amsterdam Rainbow Dress, a Dutch initiative, made of the national flags of all countries that criminalise LGBTI+ people. It portrays the ambition behind the project; to demand visibility through conversations on LGTBI+ rights worldwide. A film directed by Moa Wiking.

Directed by: Moa.wiking
DoP: @olssonoliver
Cast: @javivilm
Make-up: @maccosmeticsnordics @angelicaholmstedt
Hair/ Groom: @headonhair @headonhairbysara
Stylist: @ama.awe.official

It’s October 11, International Coming Out Day. A day to support all LGTBIQ+ community members to come out of the closet. But also to ask attention for all the places in the world where coming out is not accepted, LGTBIQ+ lifestyles and rights are marginalised at best, or criminalised at worst.

Gabrielle Scholten is the second secretary to the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Berlin. With Human Rights in her portfolio, she is very active in advocating LGBTIQ+ rights on behalf of the Dutch government.

The Netherlands prioritises human rights worldwide. Grounded in the firm belief people must be free to love whom they love and be who they want to be. In the current climate, even within the European borders, LGBTIQ+ rights are under attack by conservative forces.

Displaying the Amsterdam Rainbow Dress at iconic Berlin landmarks, we hope to increase visibility and spark conversations but above all, celebrate diversity. Especially during International Coming Out Day!

Also watch our Berlin models:

Martini Cherry Furter at the Brandenburger Tor
Thomas at the Berlin Wall Gallery
Fan Wu at the Dutch Embassy to the Kingdom of the Netherlands

It’s International Coming Out Day coming October 11. A day to support all LGTBIQ+ community members to come out of the closet. But also to ask attention for all the places in the world where coming out is not accepted, LGTBIQ+ lifestyles and rights are marginalised at best, or criminalised at worst.

As a trans woman, Fan Wu has experienced discrimination and the difficulty of acknowledging who she is. She found the courage to let herself grow into her true self. 

Now, while wearing the Amsterdam Rainbow Dress, she encourages people in the LGBTQIA+ community to speak about their stories so real experiences can be shared. It only works if we together with our allies (cis men and women) actively participate in reshaping the current system. 

At the invitation of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, this piece of art makes a statement on International Coming Out Day. To let everyone who doesn’t fit the mould know, you are not alone, you are loved and respected and change will come.

The Amsterdam Rainbow Dress is a living work of art. Made of all the national flags from countries where homosexuality is illegal, on penalty of imprisonment, torture or capital punishment. When a country adopts LGTBIQ+ inclusive legislation, the respective flag shall be replaced with a rainbow flag.

In the summer of 2020, the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands invited the Amsterdam Rainbow Dress to be a part of the discussion around National Coming Out Day.

Photography by: Paul Green
Model: Fan Wu

Also watch our other Berlin models:
Martini Cherry Furter / Brandenburger Tor
Thomas / Berlin Wall Gallery

It’s International Coming Out Day coming October 11. A day to support all LGTBIQ+ community members to come out of the closet. But also to ask attention for all the places in the world where coming out is not accepted, LGTBIQ+ lifestyles and rights are marginalised at best, or criminalised at worst.

In an Amsterdam Rainbow Dress first, it was worn by proud Leather BLUF man Thomas at the Berlin Wall Gallery. This place represents the power of change when enough people set their mind to overthrow old rulings and conservative thinking.

We couldn’t think of a better place to display the Amsterdam Rainbow Dress worn by our leather friend Thomas. As a proud representative of the BLUF community, he is very aware of how fragile LGTBIQ+ rights are and why we have to fight for them every day.

At the invitation of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, this piece of art makes a statement on International Coming Out Day. To let everyone who doesn’t fit the mould know, you are not alone, you are loved and respected and change will come.

The Amsterdam Rainbow Dress is a living work of art. Made of all the national flags from countries where homosexuality is illegal, on penalty of imprisonment, torture or capital punishment. When a country adopts LGTBIQ+ inclusive legislation, the respective flag shall be replaced with a rainbow flag.

In the summer of 2020, the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands invited the Amsterdam Rainbow Dress to be a part of the discussion around National Coming Out Day.

Photography by: Paul Green
Model: Thomas / LTHRGoodTimes

Also watch our other Berlin models:
Martini Cherry Furter / Berlin Wall Gallery
Fan Wu / Dutch Embassy Berlin

It’s International Coming Out Day coming October 11. A day to support all LGTBIQ+ community members to come out of the closet. But also to ask attention for all the places in the world where coming out is not accepted, LGTBIQ+ lifestyles and rights are marginalised at best, or criminalised at worst.

Berlin holds the international bar for acceptance of anyone to radically self-express in whatever way they want. Martini Cherry Furter came to Berlin to be herself unconditionally. Wearing the Amsterdam Rainbow Dress means a lot to her on International Coming Out Day.

The Amsterdam Rainbow Dress is a living work of art. Made of all the national flags from countries where homosexuality is illegal, on penalty of imprisonment, torture or capital punishment. When a country adopts LGTBIQ+ inclusive legislation, the respective flag shall be replaced with a rainbow flag.

In the summer of 2020, the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands invited the Amsterdam Rainbow Dress to be a part of the discussion around National Coming Out Day.

Photography by: Paul Green
Model: Martini Cherry Furter

Also watch our other Berlin models:
Thomas / Berlin Wall Gallery
Fan Wu / Dutch Embassy Berlin

From monday June 24 until June 30 the Amsterdam Rainbow Dress Foundation will be in NYC for world pride. The story behind the Amsterdam Rainbow Dress and the fight it stands for, fits seamlessly with the commemoration of the Stonewall Riots 50 years ago. Besides several presentations around town we will also do a photo shoot.

From 8 to 15 December the Amsterdam Rainbow Dress Foundation is in South Africa. At the invitation of the Dutch embassy in Pretoria we will present the Amsterdam Rainbow Dress at Constitution Hill in Johannesburg during the international human rights day on December 10. We will be part of a discussion program on LGBTI + rights at the University of Pretoria. To finally bring the Dress to Cape Town and present it in the MOCAA museum. Here too we will again participate in a substantive program on LGBTI + rights. Of course we also expand our Art Photography series with a first photo on the African continent.

 

Vacancies

general production officer

communications and social media officer

 

During the Amsterdam Pride the Rainbow Dress will be on display in City Hospital OLVG in Amsterdam. After traveling around it is good to have the Dress on display in her hometown. During the week in the OLVG a group of international LGBTI activists will be welcomed to see the dress and hear the story behind it.

On the 2nd of August the Amsterdam Rainbow Dress will be presented during Europride 2018 in Stockholm as part of the program of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Presenting during Europride is special because in 2016 the Amsterdam Rainbow Dress was created during Europride in Amsterdam.

From July 12 – 16  the Amsterdam Rainbow Dress Foundation will be present at the Seoul Queer Culture Festival. The organization of the SQCF joined forces with The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in South Korea to make it possible for us to tell our story and meet the LGBTI+ community in Korea. Of course we will make a new addition to our series of art photography. This will be the first photo on the Asian continent. We are very grateful for this opportunity.

From June 21 – 26, 2018 the Amsterdam Rainbow Dress Foundation was present at the San Francisco Pride. The organization of the Pride joined forces with The Consulate General of the Netherlands in San Francisco to make it possible for us to spread our message again in San Francisco. We presented the Rainbow Dress at the Salesforce headquarters and during the VIP party in San Francisco City Hall

.VIP Party, San Francisco Pride 2018

Image: Glo Taylor presents the Amsterdam Rainbow Dress in San Francisco City Hall on Harvey Milk Day 2017. Image by Ashlynn Danielsen