Pride? Bitches, we need to talk!

Canal Pride flows through Leiden's canals again: rainbows, glitter, corporate logos, selfies. But when did we forget that Pride is a protest? On Saturday, September 5, Theater de Generator hosts an alternative Pride evening during Canal Pride Leiden - not a party programme, but an open conversation about Pride as protest, queer rage, and two concrete questions: what are we still angry about, and how do we turn collective anger into collective change? Bring your rage. Bring your joy. Bring your friends.

Canal Pride, protest & violence in Leiden

Pride began as a protest against police violence during the Stonewall uprising. In Leiden, Canal Pride seems to leave little room for that. In 2023, young queer and trans activists were removed from the Catharinabrug with police violence and arrested after they wanted to hang a protest banner. Neither Canal Pride nor the municipality took responsibility for this. In 2024, de Generator created the street performance (Don't) Hit Me Leiden One More Time, as a reflection on that violence and Pride's history. Last year too, students were silenced by the Canal Pride organization and by Leiden University when they wanted to voice a small protest from the water - while the municipality had fully permitted that protest.

The circle conversation

Together we will discuss the political origins of Pride, the role of protest today, and how collective anger can turn into solidarity and real change. Your experiences, frustrations, ideas and dreams are welcome. Which conversations are still not being held? How do we ensure that Pride is not just a party for the cameras, but also a movement that changes something?

This evening also marks the launch of the Queer Rage Festival, which takes place during Pride Month on June 5, 2027 at de Generator - a participatory festival where theatre, performances, conversations, community and activism come together around the question: how do we turn collective