Amsterdam  - Christian Democratic lawmakers are due to participate in Amsterdam's 14th Gay Canal Parade, Dutch media reported on Tuesday.

The Gay Parade is the highlight of Amsterdam's gay pride week that will continue through August 4.

Last year marked the first time Dutch politicians joined the Canal Parade.

On Saturday afternoon, an estimated 500,000 people are to watch 80 boats carrying representatives of various gay organizations going through Amsterdam's canals.

Traditionally, the passengers are dressed in extravagant and sometimes sexually provocative attire.

Corien Jonker, a member of Christian Democrats - the largest government coalition party - and spokeswoman for emancipation affairs in parliament, said she would join the parade "to enhance a dialogue between Christian gays and the Church. For me, religion means acceptance."

Last year, Jonker had refused to join the parade because it was, she said, a "provocative and one-sided event."

Jonker now said she changed her mind after discovering Christian gays also participated in the parade with their own ship, "Holy Boat."

The lawmaker said she was not afraid her decision would anger part of her more observant electorate.

"Our voters are very diverse. Besides, the Christian boat will not be as extravagant as some other boats."

Jonker emphasized homosexuality is generally accepted among Christian Democrats.

Ger Koopmans, also a lawmaker for the Christian Democrats and gay himself, is to join Ronald Plasterk, minister for education, culture and emancipation, on his boat.

"It is not a matter of principle to me," Koopmans said, "I always go to many events."

Speaking to the German Press Agency dpa, Amsterdam's Gay Pride spokesman Frank van Dalen said his organization "welcomed" the Christian Democrat's decision to join the parade and called it "an important step forward".

He added he "feared the Christian Union, also a member of the government coalition, would however not join the parade in the foreseeable future."

Earlier a spokesperson for the Christian Union, whose electorate is significantly more observant than the Christian Democrats, had said that joining the parade "is not a way to enhance emancipation."  (dpa)