Island Has Become Increasingly Gay Friendly In The Last Years, But More Needs To Be Done



September 2nd 2009, Aruba.



ORANJESTAD-Aruba will experience its first Gay Pride Parade which will be held on September 13th.
Aruba Gay Rights Organization has requested to organize a Gay Pride Parade, and their petition
was recently honored. The goal of the parade is to gain recognition from politicians, and to see
which political party best meet their interest. The Gay Pride Parade will be held just 12 days before
Election Day on September 25th.

Many politicians come and sit with the gay community privately, but do not defend the gay
community publicly. Aruba is a predominantly Catholic country, and politicians may fear a loss in
votes and popularity from religious groups. It is the reason why the Aruba Gay Rights Organization
has decided to come out at a very open manner organizing a Gay Pride Parade. The intention is to
show Aruba that their vote does count, and that they are also human beings.

Aruba can be considered a gay friendly island, where there is a gay bar (Jimmy's Place), and even a
privately owned gay hotel. In the past the island was one of a few in the region to accept a gay
cruise to call in Oranjestad. Crime against persons based on their sexual preference rarely happens
in Aruba. Nevertheless the island has a long way to go in accepting gays.

Contrary to The Netherlands, gay marriage is illegal in Aruba. and married gay couples are not
allowed to register as partners in the island's civil registry. Aruba's stance on gay marriage and the
registry of gay couples has led to conflicts with The Netherlands. The Netherlands accuses Aruba
for not accepting migrant Dutch gay couples on Dutch territory, and Aruba accusing The
Netherlands of interfering with the norms and values on the island that are different than that of
the Dutch.

Aruba is the first country in the Caribbean to have an official Gay Pride Parade.














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