This week, the European Parliament in Brussels suddenly looks a lot more colourful. This is thanks to the 16 metre long ‘Rainbow Dress’, designed and made in Amsterdam from the flags of 75 countries (all outside the EU) where homosexuality is still punishable in 2018.

The ALDE Group First Vice-President Sophie in ‘t Veld MEP took the initiative to host the dress in the European Parliament as a special way to celebrate the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOTB) coming up on 17 May.

She commented: “This year for the very first time the rainbow flag will be waving on the European Parliament building, and there was plenty of debate about that. Do not forget that there are quite a few representatives of nationalist parties here who are sometimes quite homophobic. It does not hurt to make those people look at such a dress for a few days and make them think.”

“I’m not very nationalistic, but now my heart is beating just a little faster. I’m delighted that this dress from Amsterdam got such a prominent place here in the Parliament this week. It is also quite funny that flags, normally the symbol of nationalism, are now being used to convey a message of diversity and equality, " she added.

Find out more about the Rainbow Dress on this article by the ALDE Group in the European Parliament.

The Amsterdam Rainbow Dress is in the @Europarl_EN this week symbolising that #LGBTIQ people in many countries continue to face widespread discrimination and violence #IDAHOT2018 pic.twitter.com/eU2XS5ewGc

— Renew Europe (@RenewEurope) May 15, 2018