Cocktail is a community developed by COC Nederland. The aim of this community is to fight the social isolation that newcomers experience. In this way LGBTIQ+ newcomers can get their first contact with the Dutch society in a safe and understanding manner.
Events
Once a month Cocktail Amsterdam organizes an event to help newcomers integrate in the Dutch society and help with their personal development. These events are partly informative and educative and partly social to get the mind off participants’ worries about their asylum process. Some examples of prior events are a Sex & Drugs information evening hosted by GGD and PrepNu, a visit to the “What A Genderful World” exhibition in the Tropenmuseum, a lecture and movie about the Gay Games Amsterdam 1998 and a Pink Tour through the Artis Zoo.
Joining us and communications
It is very important that all Cocktail participants feel safe at out events. In order to realize this we communicate only through a closed Facebook group. To make sure this safety is maintained only LGBTIQ+ newcomers get access. If you are a LGBTIQ+ newcomer you are more than welcome to join this group via https://www.facebook.com/groups/cocktailamsterdam.
For questions please contact us at cocktailevents@cocamsterdam.nl.
You are most welcome!
BUDDY SYSTEM
If you are a LHBTIQ+ newcomer or status holder and looking for a buddy please contact the Regenboog Groep.
Mail lhbt@deregenboog.org
Phone 020 53 17 600
Website www.hulpvanderegenboog.org
COOPERATION AND “ZORGKAART”
COC Amsterdam aims for good connections with refugee and migrant organizations and emergency services. We cooperate with these organizations to help LGBTIQ+ newcomers meanwhile having a eye open for unsafe situations and any factors that can inhibit newcomers during their stay in Amsterdam. We report these issues to the municipality of Amsterdam or other organisations involved and follow up to see if improvements are made.
We maintain a Pink Card Amsterdam for LGBTIQ+ Newcomers with an overview of organizations involved in the support of LGBTIQ+ refugees in Amsterdam. You can download the Pink Card here.