COC Amsterdam e.o. Cocktail
Cocktail is a social network. Cocktail aims to reduce the isolation experienced by lhbtqi+ newcomers and introduce them to Dutch society in a safe way.
Events
Cocktail Amsterdam organizes a social or informative event once a month to support newcomers in their integration into the Netherlands and help them with their personal development. Our events are partly educational and partly for relaxation. The participants are thus relieved of their worries in the AZC once a month. Examples of events include an evening on sex & drugs by staff of the GGD and prepnu, a visit to the exhibition 'What A Genderful World' in the Tropenmuseum, explanation and film about the Gay Games Amsterdam 1998 and a pink tour of Artis.
Sign up and communication
Communication with participants is through a private Facebook Group. To ensure that this Facebook Group is safe, it is only accessible to lhbtqi+ refugees.
If you are a lhbtqi+ refugee you can join this Facebook Group at www.facebook.com/groups/cocktailamsterdam
For other questions, please contact cocktailevents@cocamsterdam.nl
You are most welcome!
BUDDY/BUDDY WANTED
Are you lhbtqi+ refugee or status holder and looking for a buddy? If so, please contact COC Netherlands.
Or check out the Rainbow Group's website, they too have a buddy project.
COLLABORATION AND CARE MAP
COC Amsterdam strives for good cooperation with refugee and migrant organizations and aid agencies. With various organizations we work on the reception and support of lhbtqi+ refugees, we signal bottlenecks and incidents that make the position of lhbtqi+ refugees unsafe or that hinder proper reception and support. We pass on these signals to the municipality and the various responsible organizations, and follow up to see if anything is done with them.
Information for LGBTQ+ newcomers in the Netherlands
Safety
Any police officer can take a report of an LGBTIQ+-related case or incident. Members of the LGBTIQ+ community who experience discrimination, threats, abuse, or other criminal offenses related to their sexual orientation or gender identity can also report these incidents to Roze in Blauw, the LGBTQ+ police network (Roze in Blauw | politie.nl). You can call Roze in Blauw directly on 088-1691234. Please note: in an emergency, always call 112. If you have been the victim of an incident, you can receive mental health support at slachtofferhulp.nl/english.
Sexual health
The Municipal Health Service (SOA en seksualiteit | GGD Amsterdam) offers free sexual health care (STI tests, vaccinations, etc.). You can also visit the walk-in consultation hour free of charge if you have any questions.
If you are a victim of sexual violence, you can receive psychological help at the Center for Sexual Violence (Centrum voor Seksueel Geweld).
Drugs (and chemsex)
Drug use always carries risks. To reduce those risks, it is important to know what you are using and what the potential dangers are. At the GGD (Drugs | GGD Amsterdam) and Jellinek (Alcohol, drugs & behavior | Jellinek), you can have your drugs tested anonymously and receive advice about drug use and addiction support.
The website Chemsex.nl provides information about the use of drugs in combination with sex.
PrEP
PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) is a medication used to prevent HIV. If taken correctly, it protects you against the HIV virus. In the Netherlands, it is available on prescription and costs around €15-20 for 30 pills.
PrEP does not protect against other STIs. For more information, visit prepnu.nl.
Poz and Proud
Nowadays, people with HIV can lead long and healthy lives. Unfortunately, there is still a stigma attached to HIV. The HIV Association (Poz&Proud) offers various groups where people with HIV can meet and socialize.