Homomonument (Homosexual Monument)

Homomonument (Homosexual Monument) Review

This, the world's first memorial to persecuted gays and lesbians, designed by Karin Daan, was unveiled in 1987. Three huge triangles of pinkish granite—representing past, present, and future—form a larger triangle. On May 4 (Remembrance Day), there are services here commemorating the homosexual victims of World War II, when thousands were killed (the 50,000 sentenced were all forced to wear pink triangles stitched to their clothing). Flowers are laid daily for lost friends, especially on the descending triangle that forms a dock of sorts into Keizersgracht. The points of the triangles point to the Anne Frank House, the National Monument on Dam, and the COC Center, the gay-and-lesbian organization founded in 1946, discreetly called the Center of Culture and Leisure Activities. Nearby is the kiosk housing Pink Point (020/428-1070. www.pinkpoint.org), the best source of information on gay and lesbian Amsterdam. It is open daily 10-6.