Winners of the Jos Brink Prize 2023

Minister Dijkgraaf (OCW) presented the Jos Brink Prize on Sunday 4 June at the DeLaMar Theatre in Amsterdam. The Oeuvre Award was presented to the volunteer ambassadors of the Roze50+ foundation. The Innovation Award was presented to Paul van Dorst of the Roze Kameraden, a lhbtiq+ supporters' club of Feyenoord.

The Jos Brink Prize consists of two government awards that go every two years to individuals or organisations working for the acceptance and safety of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons and queers (lhbtiq+).

Minister Dijkgraaf: "It is still not a given that in our country everyone can be themselves. That makes the Jos Brink Prize even more important. This afternoon, I saw many people and organisations who put their heart and soul - in a time of sometimes strong headwinds - into working for greater acceptance and emancipation of the lhbtiq+ community. I cherish all these people and appreciate their important struggle. I would particularly like to congratulate Paul van Dorst of the Pink Comrades and all the volunteers of the Pink 50+ Foundation on the Jos Brink Prize. Your work will be seen and not forgotten."

Oeuvre award for Pink50+ Foundation volunteers

Winner of the Oeuvre Prize Pink 50+ Foundation has been working since 2009 to improve the interests, living situation and well-being of lhbtiq+ elderly people, together with some 100 volunteer Pink 50+ ambassadors. Many pink elderly do not always dare to express their love and identity because of their background. The jury argues that; 'These pink elderly are the pioneers who fought for our freedom and are now an inspiration to the younger generation.' Therefore, the Oeuvre Prize is dedicated to all the volunteers who work for this important foundation.

Other nominees for the Oeuvre Prize were Judith Schuyf (researcher at Utrecht University and one of the founders of the Gay Studies Working Group) and Wielie Elhorst (former board member and chairman of the National Coordination Point groups church and homosexuality).

Innovation award for Paul van Dorst

Innovation award winner Paul van Dorst is founder and chairman of the Roze Kameraden: an lhbtiq+ supporters' club of Feyenoord. This organisation is working to bring about a culture change in the football world in which the lhbtiq+ community can safely enjoy the sport. 'Paul van Dorst, together with his Roze Kameraden, is working hard to bring change to the football world,' said the jury. This makes Paul van Dorst the rightful winner of this year's Innovation Award.

Other nominees for the Innovation Award were Gio van den Heuvel and Jess (founders of the Transcafé) and What You See Festival, which celebrates the diversity of the lhbtiq+ community.

Jury

The jury for the Jos Brink Prize 2023 consists of chairman Jeangu Macrooy (singer-songwriter), Rocky Hehakaija (former football star and director of the FavelaStreet Foundation), Eveline van de Putte (author and theatre-maker), Jantine van Lisdonk (emancipation researcher and strategic advisor Bi+ Netherlands) and Jackson Monteiro (Ex-agent Roze in Blauw network, Drag Queen Ruby Rouge).

About the Jos Brink Prize

The Jos Brink Prize is an initiative of the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science. Through this prize, extra attention is paid to a person, group or institution that works for the acceptance and safety of lhbtiq+ persons. The winner of the Oeuvre Prize is distinctive and commits to sustainable and inclusive efforts for lhbtiq+ persons and/or society. The prize consists of a sum of €10,000 and a work of art. The winner of the Innovation Award receives 1,000 euro because of an inspiring and innovative commitment that can make a fundamental difference in the future.

The award is named after Jos Brink (1942-2007), a champion of the acceptance and emancipation of lhbtiq+ persons, who openly came out about his homosexuality. In 2021, the Oeuvre Prize was awarded to Glenn Helberg, while the Innovation Prize went to Naomie Pieter.