Dutch Immigrants To Be Shown Pictures Of Gays Kissing
by Malcolm Thornberry, 365Gay.com European Bureau Chief
March 12, 2006 - 8:00 pm ET

(Amsterdam, The Netherlands) Beginning this week prospective immigrants to The Netherlands will be tested on their knowledge of Dutch life, including the country's attitude toward gays.

Part of the test includes a DVD on The Netherlands and includes pictures of two men kissing and a same-sex wedding. The video also includes shots of immigrant slums in the major cities where many immigrants wind up living.

The video would be screened by an applicant prior to taking a written test that is conducted in the would-be immigrant's home country.

The government said students need 250 to 350 hours preparation before sitting for the exam.
It includes sections of domestic violence and female circumcision. Both of which are illegal in the country.

Also included are questions asking if gay marriage is legal. It is. And if a business can refuse service to gays. It could not.

The test is aimed mainly at people seeking entry to The Netherlands from the Middle East and Asia.

People emigrating from other EU countries, the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Japan are exempt.

Islamic groups are slamming the exam calling it a pretext to discrimination.
"It really is a provocation aimed to limit immigration. It has nothing to do with the rights of homosexuals. Even Dutch people don't want to see that," said Abdou Menebhi, the Moroccan-born director of Emcemo, an organisation that helps immigrants to settle.

"They are trying to find every pretext to show that people should not come to The Netherlands because they are fundamentalist or not emancipated," he said. "They confront people with these things and then judge them afterwards."

© www.365Gay.com 2006