The church as 'cruising-area'

Interior of the Oude Kerk (Old Church) 1661 by Emanuel de Witte.

The Oude Kerk (Old Church) that we see here, is situated in the middle of the Red Light District in Amsterdam. Nowadays, it is both a church and a cultural centre where various exhibitions are held. This has meant that in past years the Pride Photo Award, an International photo competition on the subject of sexual and gender diversity, was held in one of the oldest buildings in Amsterdam; a church.

The church connects religion and LGBTI life. Not something the people in the painting could have imagined 350 years ago. On the other hand... this church and others were also used in the past as ‘cruising-areas’.

When this painting was made, in 1661, the word homosexuality did not exist. The word ‘sodomising’ was used for unnatural sins, such as homosexual acts, that could not be named. The expression ‘sodomy’ originates from the story in the Bible about Sodom and Gomorrah. Those ancient cities were destroyed by God because of the sins of the inhabitants.

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The church as 'cruising-area'

Interior of the Oude Kerk (Old Church) 1661 by Emanuel de Witte.

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