GaydarNation

(Amsterdam) A report on hate crimes against gays and lesbians, released on the eve of Pride celebrations in Amsterdam, shows a marked increase in homophobic crime.

The survey, by Out Now Consulting for Gay Krant, the nation's leading LGBT publication, shows that despite cultivating an image as a gay friendly country, nearly 20 percent of gays in the Netherlands experienced some form of harassment in the last two years.

The study cites verbal abuse as the most common form of homophobia, but says that physical violence and threats of violence also are on the rise.

In addition, the report says, the incidents are more likely to occur in large cities rather than rural areas. It pinpoints Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Utrecht as major problem spots.

All three cities have large gay communities.

More than 75 percent of those questioned said that growing intolerance of gays should serve as a warning to the country that social progress could be rolled back.

The study did not specify the reasons for rising homophobia, but a growing Moslem community has been increasingly vocal in condemning homosexuality. LGBT civil rights groups in Holland have been critical of the government for failing to tackle religious extremists who they accuse of inciting hate.

The Netherlands has been a world leader in enacting gay rights laws. In April 2001 it became the first country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage.

More than 350,000 were expected to take part in Amsterdam's Gay Pride festival on Saturday, highlighted by a flotilla of floats along the city's canals.