paroolOct 20, 2026, 05:37

Amsterdammer Coos Huijsen (87), first openly gay MP, dies

Coos Huijsen, the first openly gay member of the Dutch parliament, has died at the age of 87. He is remembered for his advocacy work regarding Article 1 of the Constitution and his lifelong commitment to LGBTQ+ emancipation.

Coos Huijsen, a pioneering figure in Dutch politics and the first openly gay parliamentarian, has passed away at the age of 87 following a short illness. He served as a member of parliament in the 1970s, where he notably campaigned for LGBTQ+ rights. His legislative legacy includes contributing to the formulation of Article 1 of the Constitution, which laid the groundwork for the General Equal Treatment Act by providing essential protections against discrimination.

Beyond his parliamentary career, Huijsen was a dedicated history teacher and served as the director of the Gerrit van der Veen College in Amsterdam for over a decade. A prominent activist, he co-founded Het Blauwe Fonds to support emancipation projects and authored works on the history of gay rights. In recognition of his significant contributions to society, he was awarded the Frans Banninck Cocqpenning and appointed a Knight in the Order of Orange-Nassau. Huijsen died at his home in Amsterdam, surrounded by his husband, Lank Bos.

Politics Culture Amsterdam Netherlands

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Based on reporting by parool. Translated and condensed by LocalHeadlines.

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