For decades Amsterdam was known as the world's 'Gay Capital', a place where gay and lesbian couples could kiss in public care-free, and where local couples enjoyed levels of social acceptance and legal equality unimaginable elsewhere. A series of violent attacks on the openly gay have tarnished Amsterdam's crown. The city council has set aside 1.2 million euros to polish it back up.

The most high-profile incident came in 2005, when a prominent American gay man was assaulted on Queen's Day in Amsterdam. Chris Crain, chief editor of the Washington Blade gay magazine, was walking hand-in-hand with his boyfriend when he was spat on by a young man. Within seconds seven men surrounded him, beating and kicking him in the body and face. Mr Crain recounted the incident on his blog.

"For as long as I live, I will never forget the looks on the faces of our attackers. What I saw was more disgust than hate, but it was there, and it was chilling."

The gay community took notice. Pink tourism dollars are shifting to other cities with vibrant gay scenes like Berlin and Barcelona. This week, the Amsterdam city council launched a three-year, 1.2 million euro campaign to turn the tide.