Hard to know why the gay displays in Amsterdam would be any more shocking to kids than the heterosexual ones. Sex of every orientation is much more out there in Amsterdam and on television in Netherlands than in any American city. On my last trip to Amsterdam, I watched a fair amount of television, and just about every hour, there was a commercial that showed a young women in a short skirt being chased by a dog who kept sticking his nose and tongue up her skirt, until the dog transformed into an eager young man, putting his nose under her skirt. I could never quite figure out what the commercial was selling (phones? internet access? snow tires?)

Even in the US, I don't expect Gay Pride Day events to be tame. You can google up YouTubes I'm sure of previous year's events in Amsterdam and decide for yourself. Only you know what your kids will find disturbing and what they wouldn't.

350,000 tourists for a gay festival will be over the top and as far as content goes your kids will probably be grossed out and embarrassed because a parent is with them ..Can you arrange to go somewhere else or ask your 16 yr old what he/she thinks about this for the 9 yr old. He will probably be able to help sort out your concerns.

Background :

We live in Brazil ( where we are currently in the midst of Carnaval) . Brazil certainly could be considered " shocking" to foreigners in many ways. My kids participate in some Carnaval events , which are more kid friendly. I am not a " prudish" person , however , I try to have good sense about what is age appropriate. My question is not about " gay displays" , I 'd have the same question if it were a party event geared toward adults of any orientation.

I did watch several videos online and found the floats to be quite colorful and creative. However , the videos were just a glimpse and I was wondering if the emphasis is more prideful/political/ creative ( which would be interesting for our whole group) or sexuality ( of any shape or form ) is the emphasis .I have never been to a Gay Pride event , so unfamiliar with the focus .

Carnaval parades have historical/ political themes with some nudity . No problem. However , the private Carnaval parties filmed and shown at night , with lots of sexual activity/ simulation shown , my kids don't watch. The focus is different.

Just trying to gather info on what to expect to make a good call

Have you kids explain them to YOU

i think it is going to pretty hard for most people here to thread the needle about whether Amsterdam's Gay Pride Day is going to be more or less comfy for kids than Brazil's carnavale. But since it is a "Gay Pride" event, you can expect the emphasis to be on GAY -- meaning, sexuality. To openly display a once suppressed sexuality is viewed as a creative, prideful, political act. You really can't separate them.

Why not offer your kids a choice between some known kid destinations (which will probably be blissfully crowd-free) and the Gay Pride Day events?

http://amsterdam.travora.com/questions-and-answers/are-there-any-family-friendly-attractions-in-amsterdam

By the way, this is a 30 minute YouTubes of the festivities in Amsterdam on Gay Pride Day. It is more than a glimpse (and I think most kids would be bored with the repetitiveness after a while and be ready to move on). Also, here is the published agenda:

http://www.amsterdamgaypride.nl/agenda/

Makes sense to me that day-time activities along the canals and in public will be a lot more modest than private nighttime events. The latter obviously can be quite easily avoided.

But you might find this interesting to read:

http://guatemalatravelpackages.com/visiting-gay-amsterdam/

Cannot comment on gay pride parade in Amsterdam - but things are generally very open there. In the gay pride parade in nYC (bigger one than Amsterdam) there is a broad range of floats, groups marching etc - but there is definitely quite a bit of PDA (public displays of affection) - though generally not so overt as to be illegal.

If you don;t think this is appropriate for a 9 year old - then do something else. I would go since I find many of the groups are incredibly imaginative.

Public displays of affections are not "illegal" in Amsterdam -- nor anywhere in Europe so far as I know.

It seems pretty plain that the original poster is not concerned about "overt" displays of affection.

Who knows if the Gay Pride parade in NYC is "bigger" (actually, the one is Brazil is the biggest in the world), but the one in Amsterdam is more like the Macy's Day Parade -- involving the entire city -- than the NYC gay pride parade, and it goes on for days, not just one day. In terms of floats, etc, the one in Amsterdam is much more spectacular.

Since you have never been to the one in Amsterdam, what makes you think many of the groups are "incredibly imaginative" -- ??? About what?

http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/world/amsterdam-enjoys-its-gay-pride-parade/story-e6frfkui-1226443079232