Editing Homomonument (section)

== Current situation ==
[[File:Homomonument Pulse memorial.jpg|thumb|Memorial to victims of the [[Orlando nightclub shooting]] on Homomonument. June 2016.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.parool.nl/amsterdam/honderden-amsterdammers-herdenken-orlando~a4319579/|title=Honderden Amsterdammers herdenken Orlando – Amsterdam – PAROOL|website=Het Parool|date=13 June 2016|language=nl-NL|access-date=18 May 2018|archive-date=18 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180518200542/https://www.parool.nl/amsterdam/honderden-amsterdammers-herdenken-orlando~a4319579/|url-status=live}}</ref>]]
Every year, on the [[Remembrance of the Dead|National Day of Remembrance]] on 4 May, the Homomonument hosts an official ceremony to commemorate the gays and lesbians who were victims of [[Persecution of homosexuals in Nazi Germany|Nazi repression]], as well as those who are still being persecuted for their sexual orientation around the world. The event, which brings together hundreds of people, is attended by various officials, representatives of political parties, and public organizations, many of whom make speeches. The ceremony begins at 8 pm and includes the laying of flowers, the lowering of the [[Flag of the Netherlands|Dutch flag]], and the traditional [[Moment of silence|two minutes of silence]] followed by the national anthem "[[Wilhelmus]]". Previously, the use of official paraphernalia was prohibited, but this position was later changed.<ref name="seventeen">{{cite web |title=Remembrance |url=http://www.homomonument.nl/hremembrance.htm |website=homomonument.nl |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100909151828/http://www.homomonument.nl/hremembrance.htm |archive-date=9 September 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

On the [[Koningsdag|King's Day]] on 27 April and [[Liberation Day (Netherlands)|Liberation Day]] on 5 May, colourful Pink Triangle festivals are held at Westermarkt, which include dances, concerts, performances by artists, [[drag queen]]s, and so on. These festivities, according to the organizers, should testify to the connection between the past and the present and be a guarantee that history will not be forgotten and will not lose its relevance.<ref name="eighteen">{{cite web |title=Celebration |url=http://www.homomonument.nl/celebration.htm |website=homomonument.nl |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120209074645/http://www.homomonument.nl/celebration.htm |archive-date=9 February 2012}}</ref>

The Homomonument, as the first monument of its kind, has gained worldwide fame and is a popular tourist attraction in Amsterdam. People from all over the world come to it to lay flowers and take pictures.<ref name="fourteen" /><ref name="nineteen">{{cite web |title=Individual |url=http://www.homomonument.nl/vindividual.htm |website=homomonument.nl |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110523161236/http://www.homomonument.nl/vindividual.htm |archive-date=23 May 2011}}</ref>

The Homomonument underwent restoration in 2003.<ref name="four" /> On 24 October 2006, the mayor of Amsterdam, [[Job Cohen]], and the chairman of the LGBT organization COC, Frank van Dalen, inaugurated a model Homomonument in the [[Madurodam]] miniature park in [[The Hague]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Mini-homomonument Madurodam onthuld |trans-title=Mini gay monument unveiled in Madurodam |url=https://www.coc.nl/geloof-cultuur/mini-homomonument-madurodam-onthuld |website=[[COC Nederland]] |access-date=26 January 2022 |language=nl |date=23 October 2006 |archive-date=26 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220126142031/https://www.coc.nl/geloof-cultuur/mini-homomonument-madurodam-onthuld |url-status=live }}</ref> Another monument in memory of LGBT victims of repression and persecution was dedicated in Barcelona, Spain in 2011,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.catalannewsagency.com/news/society-science/barcelona-unveiled-first-monument-repressed-gay-and-lesbian-people |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120423182317/http://www.catalannewsagency.com/news/society-science/barcelona-unveiled-first-monument-repressed-gay-and-lesbian-people |url-status=dead |archive-date=23 April 2012 |title=Barcelona unveiled the first monument to repressed gay and lesbian people |website=Catalan News Agency |access-date=12 February 2013 }}</ref> which was modeled after the Homomonument.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/03/barcelona-gay-lesbian-monument_n_803878.html |title=Barcelona Gay And Lesbian Monument Plans Outlined |date=3 January 2011 |access-date=12 February 2013 |newspaper=Huffington Post |archive-date=12 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121112051214/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/03/barcelona-gay-lesbian-monument_n_803878.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Today, the Westermarkt has become one of the centres of life for the Dutch LGBT community. Various events are often held here, including rallies, photo exhibitions, flash mobs, open lectures, weddings, celebrations, and other events. The Homomonument Foundation coordinates and funds these events.<ref name="twentyone">{{cite web |title=Support |url=http://www.homomonument.nl/donatiesen.htm |website=homomonument.nl |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120206033526/http://www.homomonument.nl/donatiesen.htm |archive-date=6 February 2012}}</ref>