Editing Homomonument (section)

== Construction ==
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The Homomonument was erected on the Westermarkt square on the banks of the [[Keizersgracht]] canal, near the historic [[Westerkerk|Westerkerk church]]. The memorial is a composition of three [[equilateral triangle]]s of pink granite with edge lengths of 10 meters, which are interconnected by thin lines of similar material, thus forming one large equilateral triangle with a side length of 36 meters. Karin Daan designed the monument to be as imposing as possible without disturbing the environment, fitting it as closely as possible into the historic urban landscape.<ref name="fifteen">{{cite web |url=http://www.homomonument.nl/hlocation.htm |title=Location |website=homomonument.nl |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120206033159/http://www.homomonument.nl/hlocation.htm |archive-date=6 February 2012}}</ref>

The Homomonument embodies three ideas and three times: the memory of the past, opposition to discrimination and repression in the present, and parting words for the future. The first triangle is located on the embankment of the Keizersgracht canal. Four gradually tapering steps broken in the centre lead down from the pavement to a platform resting on the water. The top of the triangle, projecting into the canal, points to Dam Square, where the National Monument to the Victims of World War II is located. Four pontoons protect the monument from possible damage by passing ships. This triangle symbolizes the present time. Here people can often be seen sitting on the steps, and on the platform resting near the water, flowers are regularly laid and candles are lit.<ref name="fifteen" />

The second triangle is made in the form of a podium, rising 60 centimetres above the surface of the square. It symbolizes the future. The outward-facing peak points to the headquarters of the LGBT organization "[[COC Nederland|COC]]" at Rosenstraat 14. The abbreviation "COC" originally stood for "Cultuur en Ontspannings-Centrum" (with nid. – "Centre for culture and recreation") and was conceived as a neutral-sounding front for an LGBT organization. Founded in 1946, it is the oldest LGBT organization in the world.<ref name="sixteen">{{cite book |last1=Bosia |first1=Michael J. |last2=McEvoy |first2=Sandra M. |last3=Rahman |first3=Momin |title=The Oxford handbook of global LGBT and sexual diversity politics |date=2020 |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |location=New York, NY |isbn=978-0-19-067374-1 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9NfODwAAQBAJ&pg=PA116 |access-date=26 January 2022 |archive-date=9 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220309145724/https://books.google.com/books?id=9NfODwAAQBAJ&pg=PA116 |url-status=live }}</ref> Near the triangle, there is an information kiosk called "Pink Point", which sells literature and souvenirs related to the gay life of the Netherlands. The podium itself is often used as a stage for various events.<ref name="fifteen" />

The third triangle is located flush with the paving stones of the square. It symbolizes the past. Around the perimeter of the slab is engraved a line from the poem "To the Young Fisherman" by the Dutch Jewish poet [[Jacob Israël de Haan]], who was allegedly homosexual: "Such a boundless craving for friendship" ({{langx|nl|Naar Vriendschap Zulk een Mateloos Verlangen}}), which, according to the plan of Karin Daan, describes the driving force in relationships between people. The apex, outside the large triangle, points to the [[Anne Frank House|home]] of [[Anne Frank]], a Jewish girl whose [[The Diary of a Young Girl|diaries]] written during the German occupation of the Netherlands combined millions of human tragedies associated with the Nazi genocide in the story of one child.<ref name="fifteen" />

<gallery widths="150" heights="200" perrow="4" mode="packed">
Ac.homomonument.jpg|Triangle of the past
Amsterdam-Homomonument-01.jpg|Triangle of the present
Amsterdam-Homomonument-04.jpg|Triangle of the future
</gallery>

The three historical sites which the monument points to were chosen to further emphasize the context in which the memorial itself and its symbols exist. The plate, placed on the canal fence on both sides (so that it can be seen both from land and from the water), contains an inscription in three languages (Dutch, English and French):<ref>{{cite book |last1=Hannah |first1=Dorita |last2=Harsløf |first2=Olav |title=Performance design |date=2008 |publisher=Museum Tusculanum |location=Copenhagen |isbn=978-87-635-0784-4 |page=267 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5lfCR23MmMAC&dq=Homomonument+Commemorates+all+women+and+men+ever+oppressed+and+persecuted+because+of+their+homosexuality.++Supports+the+International+Lesbian+and+Gay+Movement+in+their+struggle+against+contempt%2C+discrimination+and+oppression.+Demonstrates+that+we+are+not+alone.+Calls+for+permanent+vigilance.++Past%2C+present+and+future+are+represented+by+the+3+triangles+on+this+square.+Designed+by+Karin+Daan%2C+1987.&pg=PA267 |access-date=26 January 2022 |archive-date=9 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220309145724/https://www.google.com/books/edition/Performance_Design/5lfCR23MmMAC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=Homomonument+Commemorates+all+women+and+men+ever+oppressed+and+persecuted+because+of+their+homosexuality.++Supports+the+International+Lesbian+and+Gay+Movement+in+their+struggle+against+contempt,+discrimination+and+oppression.+Demonstrates+that+we+are+not+alone.+Calls+for+permanent+vigilance.++Past,+present+and+future+are+represented+by+the+3+triangles+on+this+square.+Designed+by+Karin+Daan,+1987.&pg=PA267&printsec=frontcover |url-status=live }}</ref>
{{blockquote|
Homomonument
Commemorates all women and men ever oppressed and persecuted because of their homosexuality.

Supports the International Lesbian and Gay Movement in their struggle against contempt, discrimination and oppression. Demonstrates that we are not alone.
Calls for permanent vigilance.

Past, present and future are represented by the 3 triangles on this square. Designed by Karin Daan, 1987.
}}

In 1991, the bridge over the Keizersgracht canal, located north of the Homomonument, was renamed in honour of the anti-fascist, [[Dutch resistance|resistance]] fighter, gay activist, and long-term leader of the COC Niek Engelschman.<ref>{{cite web |title=Bridge 106 |url=https://www.bridgesofamsterdam.com/bridges/106/ |website=Bridges of Amsterdam |access-date=26 January 2022 |date=17 July 2016 |archive-date=26 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220126142028/https://www.bridgesofamsterdam.com/bridges/106/ |url-status=live }}</ref>