Dutch law forbids discrimination because of sexual orientation. For example: for work, leisure, education, services, housing.

Certain crimes (such as damage to property or verbal or physical violence) are punished more heavily if they are motivated by hatred against lesbian women, gay men, bisexuals or transgenders. 

In the Netherlands, gay and lesbian couples can marry and legally live together, or take a registered partnershop. Two men or two women can also adopt a child together.

Lesbian couple with children

If you are the victim of violence because of your sexual orientation or gender identity, you can mention or report it to a special police department called Roze in Blauw (Pink in Blue). You can also call, e-mail or chat with someone from the LGBT helpline called Switchboard for more information. 

De Nederlandse wet verbiedt discriminatie op basis van iemands seksuele oriëntatie, bijvoorbeeld voor werk, vrijetijdsbesteding, onderwijs, dienstverlening, huisvesting.

Bepaalde misdaden (zoals beschadiging van eigendommen of verbaal en fysiek geweld) worden zwaarder bestraft als de reden haat tegenover lesbische vrouwen, homoseksuelen, biseksuelen of transgenders was.

Homoseksuele en lesbische stellen kunnen in Nederland trouwen en een geregistreerd partnerschap aangaan. Twee mannen of vrouwen kunnen ook samen een kind adopteren.

Een lesbisch stel met kinderen

Als u het slachtoffer bent van geweld wegens uw seksuele oriëntatie of genderidentiteit, kunt melding of aangifte doen bij een speciaal onderdeel van de politie: Roze in Blauw.  U kunt ook bellen, mailen of chatten met Switchboard voor meer informatie. 

More information or help needed?

General practitioner
You can talk to a general practitioner about every intimate topic. If necessary, a general practitioner can refer you to a specialised health professional. Refugees who have been granted (temporary) asylum choose a general practitioner in their municipality. Asylum seekers in an asylum seekers’ centre can consult a general practitioner at the centre.
Switchboard
Platform for lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders. If you have questions, you can ask them via email, online chat or telephone.
Cocktail
Information, support and social activities for LGBT people in asylum seekers’ centres.
Poz & Proud
Organisation for and by gay men with HIV.
Man tot man
Website for men who have sex with men. The website has information about getting tested for STIs or HIV.
Pink in Blue
Police point of contact for lesbians, gays and transgenders.
Sense.info
If you are younger than 25, you can contact Sense with questions about contraception, sexuality and STIs. You can do this via email, telephone, online chat or by making an appointment for the Sense consultation hours.
Jouw GGD - Your municipal public health service
If you are younger than 25 and have questions about health, sexuality, your body, feelings, alcohol or drugs you can ask your question via email or online chat.
Anti-discrimination bureaus
If you feel discriminated against, you can report it to an anti-discrimination office.
More health professionals

Dictionary and translations