This coming Saturday, members of the CDA Christian Democrat party will for the first time be taking part in the Canal Parade, the high point of the annual Gay Pride celebrations in Amsterdam.

Christian Democrat MP and emancipation spokesperson Corien Jonker will be travelling on a boat together with about 40 Christian gays and lesbians. The CDA - the largest party in the current three-party Dutch coalition government - is hoping this will stimulate dialogue between Christian homosexuals and the churches.

Last year Culture and Emancipation Minister Ronald Plasterk of the Labour Party took part in the Canal Parade, a move Defence Minister Eimert van Middelkoop of the Christian Union described as "provocative". Minister Plasterk will be taking part again this year, together with Deputy Minister Sharon Dijkstra, in a boat representing the ministry of education, culture and science.