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C O C A m s t e r d a m

COC Amsterdam and surrounding areas actively promotes a diverse and inclusive society. We stand up for the emancipation, acceptance, and equal rights of LGBTQIA+ people. In doing so, we focus on the most marginalized groups and aim to be a hub of knowledge and support for those who need it. 

Read more about us
COC members celebrating during an LGBTQI+ day within the COC logo letters.

This is what we stand for

Our vision

We believe in a world where everyone can be themselves in freedom and safety. Where you can love who you want. Regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and sex characteristics. We do this in Amsterdam and surrounding areas because you too deserve to be yourself!

Our mission

We are committed to the emancipation, acceptance, and equal rights of LGBTQIA+ people in Amsterdam and the surrounding areas. We do this together with people from the community and our existing and new allies. We are active in many areas, with a focus on marginalized groups within our society. We represent interests and participate in consultations on culture & religion, safety, care and welfare, and lifestyles. 

Our origins

Of course, we would have preferred to say that we were no longer needed, but there is still work to be done. For example, seven out of ten LGBTQIA+ people experience physical or verbal violence in their lives because of who they are, and LGBTQIA+ people are still criminalized in almost seventy countries.Founded in 1946, COC Amsterdam and surrounding areas is now the longest-running LGBTQIA+ advocacy organisation.

Our work

We ensure that LGBTQIA+ people are heard and strengthen their voice as an advocate in consultations with the municipality and other stakeholders. We provide education in schools and collaborate with the University of Amsterdam (PinkPanel). Our district coordinators work in the districts to ensure the safety and visibility of the LGBTQIA+ community. We support and connect young people and provide asylum seekers with space to connect with one another and with the people of Amsterdam. We organize activities for marginalized groups such as people with autism, people with intellectual disabilities, women, seniors, status holders, and we collaborate with other partiesto do so. Every July, together with the H’ART Museum, we organize the Shakespeare Club, for and by marginalized groups.

Our results

Together, we achieve a lot in the area of emancipation, acceptance, and visibility in Amsterdam. This includes the Shakespeare Club, Pink Film Days, Third Day of Christmas, and all our activities where people feel safe and connected, such as Autiroze, Cafe Okay, Wereldcafe, and Cocktail, where activities are organized monthly by our coordinators who are highly committed as volunteers.    

Become a member?

Without you, there is no COC Amsterdam e.o. Would you like to join us? Please do! We welcome you with open arms. Read all about it here.

Become a member

Support COC Amsterdam?

There are several ways to support COC Amsterdam e.o.. This support is essential, because thanks to these contributions we have been able to make a difference for LGBTQIA+ people since 1946. Together, we support initiatives throughout the region.

Support us

Become a volunteer

COC Amsterdam e.o. is actively committed to a diverse and inclusive society. We believe that you can only achieve change together, because together we are strong. Will you come and help us?

Become a volunteer

Our initiatives

Important news and publications

News

Rainbow Ballot Agreement signed by seven parties

Politics
News

The 'Faith & Philosophy' working group of COC Amsterdam e.o. is looking for new members

Culture & Faith
News

Commemoration of war victims and LGBTQ+ resistance heroes

Community
News

The rainbow voting agreement and the municipality of Amsterdam

Politics
Read all the news
Donate, contribute, or support LGBTQI+ individuals at COC.

Without your help, there is no COC Amsterdam and surroundings. With your activism and donations, we achieve more emancipation, social acceptance, and equal rights. We really need your help, whether you contribute through your membership, as a volunteer, use your knowledge, or donate money.

I want to donate I want to volunteer I want to become a member

Participate in another way?

Logo for the Gender & Sexuality Alliance. This is an organization or group of students and volunteers who are committed to creating a safe environment for everyone at school.

Start a GSA at your school

A Gender & Sexuality Alliance (GSA) is a group of students who, with the support of COC Netherlands, are committed to creating a safe environment at school for everyone.

Would you like to know more?
Logo for Jong&Out community. This community is for everyone up to 18 years old, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or sex characteristics.

Join the Jong&Out community

Our Jong&Out community is for everyone up to and including 18 years old, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or sex characteristics. Jong&Out is the place to meet other (LGBTQIA+) young people online and offline in a safe way.

You can find more information here
Logo for Expreszo. Expreszo is an online magazine for and by queer young people that provides LGBTQI+ youth with articles, tips, and information.

Take a look at Expreszo

Expreszo is an online magazine for and by queer young people that provides LGBTQI+ young people with interesting and fun articles, tips, and information. It is full of stories that do not yet receive much attention in the mainstream media.

To the website
Logo for Roze50plus. The Roze 50+ community is there for queer seniors.

Join the Pink 50+ community

Are you looking for information, activities, and opportunities to meet other pink 50+ people? Then join our Pink 50+ community! You can read more on Roze50plus.nl.

Read more here
Logo of Roze Loper (Pink Carpet). Roze Loper is an official quality mark for healthcare and welfare institutions that work on social acceptance and inclusion of LGBTQI+ individuals.

Request a Pink Loper via RozeZorg

The Pink Loper is an official quality mark for healthcare and welfare institutions. Institutions with a Pink Loper quality mark are committed to the social acceptance and inclusion of LGBTQIA+ people. Want to request a Pink Loper? 

Go to rozezorg.nl
Logo of Respect2Love. Respect2Love is a community for and by LGBTQI+ individuals with different cultural or religious backgrounds.

Join Respect2Love

Respect2Love is our community for and by LGBTQIA+ people with different cultural or religious backgrounds. Together we share information, advice, and organize meetings. In our Respect2Love Empowerment program, LGBTQIA+ people with diverse backgrounds develop into pioneers in their own community and society. 

Join us
Logo for AutiRoze. AutiRoze is there to help LGBTQI+ individuals with autism find their place in the rainbow community, the autism community, and society as a whole.

Visit an event from AutiRoze

AutiRoze is there to help LGBTQIA+ people with autism find their place in the rainbow community, the autism community, and society as a whole. They regularly organize fun and social gatherings.

View the website
Logo of Roze Gebaar (Pink Gesture). Roze Gebaar is the online community of, for, and by deaf and hard of hearing lesbian women, gay men, bisexuals, transgender and intersex people (LGBTIs) throughout the Netherlands.

Join Roze Gebaar

Roze Gebaar is the online community by, for, and of deaf and hard of hearing lesbian women, gay men, bisexuals, transgender and intersex people (LGBTQIA+) throughout the Netherlands. On RozeGebaar.nl you will find information about homosexuality and bisexuality and gender identity and an overview of activities throughout the country.

Join us
Logo of Zonderstempel (Without Stamp). Zonderstempel is a website by and for LGBTQI+ individuals with intellectual disabilities.

View our website Zonder Stempel

Zonderstempel.nl is a website by and for LGBTQIA+ people with intellectual disabilities. They regularly organize cozy and pleasant gatherings in their meeting cafes.

More information
Logo of Switchboard. Switchboard is there for all LGBTQI+ individuals and for anyone else who needs information, advice, support, and a listening ear.

Become a volunteer at COC Switchboard

Switchboard is there for all LGBTQIA+ people and anyone else who needs information, advice, support, and a listening ear. You can talk and ask questions here without being judged.

Become a volunteer

The 2025 annual plan of COC Amsterdam

Curious about what COC Amsterdam is working on this year? Check out our annual plan.

Annual Plan 2025

COC near you

Wherever you live, there is always a COC nearby that you can count on. A regional COC provides lgbtqia+ education in schools, organizes social activities, works on safety and acceptance, and does much more. Locally, we represent your interests and are therefore a first point of contact for many. We would like to welcome you with open arms!

COC Amsterdam and surrounding areas COC Deventer and surroundings COC Eindhoven and region COC Friesland COC Groningen & Drenthe COC Haaglanden COC Kennemerland COC Leiden COC Limburg COC Midden-Gelderland COC Midden-Nederland COC regio Nijmegen COC Noord-Holland Noord COC Noordoost Brabant COC Rotterdam COC Tilburg, Breda and surrounding areas COC Twente-Achterhoek COC West-Brabant COC Zeeland COC Zwolle