A few months ago, the JBF was approached by NOS journalists Rivkah Op het Veld, Jeroen Gortworst and Winfried Baijens with a request for more information about the JBF and the background to its growing activities and authority in (top-level) sport. This was for a multi-part podcast series they want to make about LGBTI+ in (professional) sport. Several conversations followed.

The JBF sees a podcast series such as this as an important addition to the information provided to (professional) clubs and sports organisations that are developing (new) policies in the field of diversity and inclusion. Our cooperation consists of the JBF acting as an intermediary in cases where a professional or amateur athlete feels the need to share his or her story (anonymously or otherwise) in this podcast series. In order to experience the effects of our workshops, the JBF has invited one of them to participate in the workshop, on condition that the relevant participant group or organisation agrees to this. The JBF has made specific agreements with the NOS journalists about this and will supervise this process in its entirety.

A brief introduction to the NOS journalists:

For several years now, we, NOS colleagues Rivkah, Jeroen and Winfried, have been talking regularly about top-level sport and ‘being different’. Often in response to reports in the media about how difficult it is to talk about homosexuality, particularly in the world of football. This year, as LGBTI individuals ourselves, we decided to explore the subject further, focusing on the central question: what would it take to actually talk about it? Is it even necessary to talk about it? If so, why? And above all: how?

In the coming months, we will be working on a podcast series in which we will explore the subject in greater depth, partly based on our own experiences. The series will also focus on the work of the John Blankenstein Foundation. We have already spoken to many people involved, but our door is wide open to anyone who would like to talk to us about this, has tips for a particular angle, or knows someone we should speak to. Please contact the JBF to get in touch with us.