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The Netherlands is generally regarded as a gay-friendly country. It was
the first country in the world where partners of the same sex were allowed to
marry. Any number of famous Dutch figures openly profess their homosexuality,
including one of the ministers in the present Dutch cabinet. And
according to international comparative research, homosexuality is widely
accepted in Dutch public opinion. However, hostility towards homosexuality
also occurs, for example in schools. And gays and lesbians are not
infrequently insulted or even physically assaulted in the streets.
At the request of the Dutch government a study was carried out into the
acceptance of homosexuality in the Netherlands. The study describes the
present attitudes of the Dutch population as well as trends in the past, and
gives a brief history of homosexuality in the Netherlands. It is based on
opinion research, interviews with gays and lesbians and an analysis of
Internet forums containing discussions on homosexuality.