Although not strictly a gay and lesbian event, Hartjesdag, Amsterdam's annual crossdressing extravaganza, has a strong queer element, especially visible in the parade that marches down the Zeedijk. If you're looking for the queer folk, then totter down in your best high heels to the Queen's Head on the Zeedijk, where you'll find the highest concentration of drag queens and kings in among the "straight" cross-dressers roving the streets of Zeedijk and Nieuwmarkt. The street-party's origins date back to before the 19th century, when the poor of the Dam were allowed to hunt deer for just one day a year on the local gentry's estate. Hartjesdag derives its name from the Dutch for deer, "hert", which has evolved over the years to "hart". It's unclear where, when or for what reason the cross-dressing element entered the proceedings, but it remains a popular annual knees-up.