Protest boat design and execution for the Regenboog Groep

With the Patchwork Family, I built a protest boat for the Regenbood Group at the World Pride Canal Parade. This boat won the 2nd prize for best statement. We collaborated with artist Jan Hoek and members of the community to demand attention to the fact that in Amsterdam an estimated 13,000 people are homeless or without a stable home, of whom roughly 3,000 are part of the LGBTIQ+ community. Through our participation in the Canal Parade we drew attention to this often invisible group and the overrepresentation of queer people among the homeless. Pride is more than a celebration of freedom and identity. It is also a moment of solidarity with people in our community.

For over 50 years De Regenboog Groep has supported Amsterdammers in vulnerable situations. As a city safety net they help people facing homelessness, mental health vulnerabilities, addiction, or social isolation. Within these groups LGBTIQ+ people are especially at risk of exclusion, discrimination and insecurity.

We only celebrate once everyone can live in freedom and has a safe place to stay. Given the large number of people experiencing homelessness in Amsterdam, we chose the Roof Over Your Head Boat. It’s a floating installation of rainbow-coloured tents that raises awareness for everyone forced to sleep outside, especially queer people.

The floating ‘houses’ represent individual stories and together form a single visual expression of the theme unity. No people. Just tents. With one overarching message: this should not be a home.

We believe true unity goes beyond celebrating together. It also means caring together, seeing each other, and standing up for everyone at risk of being left behind. Only when everyone feels safe, seen and connected is Pride truly ours to share.