The letters JBF stand for John Blankenstein Foundation. But the letter J also stands for Jip van Leeuwen. Together with Karin Blankenstein, John's younger sister, and Henk Gregoire († 2016), Jip is the founder and pater familias of the JBF. “Without Jip, I wouldn't have made it,” says Karin, who is now consistently referred to as Mother Superior by the JBF volunteers.
John passed away in 2006, and a few months later, Frank van Dalen, then chairman of COC Netherlands, approached his brother Rob and sister Karin with the idea of setting up a foundation in John's name. Rob and Karin decided between themselves that at least one of them should be actively involved in this. Sister Karin took on this role and became chairwoman. Little happened in the months that followed. Until Karin met Huub ter Haar, who was writing a book about gay athletes (Gelijkspel, 2008, Pepijn uitgeverij), made possible in part by a grant from the VSB Fund. That was in 2008, two years after John's death, and for Karin, it was the reason to establish the JBF.

On Frank van Dalen's advice, Karin approached Jip van Leeuwen. In 1998, Jip had been seconded by the municipality of Amsterdam as Director of Sport for the Gay Games. At that time, Jip had become good friends with John, who was heavily involved in the organisation. The new friends shared two passions: a big heart for sport and a drive for acceptance and equal treatment of LGBTI+ people in sport, stemming from their own painful experiences. It affects you when you are excluded by those around you because of a lack of understanding and unfamiliarity with part of who you are. Their drive arose from the intense sadness this caused. Jip wanted nothing more than to continue John's legacy, and to do so with John's sister Karin. In this way, the JBF gives meaning to everything that John (and Jip) had previously achieved in this area; the most beautiful tribute to John's passion. Jip himself said in an earlier interview: “John was and still is my HERO in his fight for equal rights and a safe sporting environment for LGBTI people in sport. I want to continue to work towards this for as long as I can.”

At Jip's home in 2014, Karin next to Henk Gregoire and Jip van Leeuwen, flanked by JBF volunteers Lou Manders (right) and Paul Martin Raspe (left).

For Karin, Jip turned out to be the perfect person to talk to. His network, political experience and, above all, Jip's personality ensured that the two, who were strangers at the time, immediately hit it off. In the meantime, Karin had also approached Henk Gregoire, whom she knew from a local sports club in The Hague. Jip and Henk did not know each other. That changed quickly when, on 18 December 2008, the John Blankenstein Foundation was launched at Henk's kitchen table, complete with soup and sandwiches. Jip and Henk also hit it off immediately. This went so far that Jip bought some unique stamps at an auction for Henk, an avid stamp collector. “That's Jip through and through,” says Karin. “Jip tends to wait and see, always with a critical note. But once you've won his trust and his heart, he'll go to the ends of the earth for you. He's a very warm person who cares about everyone. Jip wants to help everyone; he's a real people person. But if Jip doesn't like you, the door stays closed. John was really fond of Jip.”
Honest, loyal, driven, fair and goal-oriented: that is how Karin describes Jip's personal values. Karin continues, “Jip is an enthusiastic, emotional man, which gives him the passion to do a lot, but also demands a lot from him, sometimes too much. Jip also has a kind of distrust within him. Not only for people, but also for ideas. Then it really takes a lot to convince him. This strength has been particularly important for the growth and development of the JBF. He is very familiar with the political game.” Jip's sense of justice, loyalty and aforementioned passions have been decisive in determining the course that the JBF has taken to this day.

Karin and Jip in 2013 at Amsterdam Diner

Jip himself wrote earlier: “All ideas have been put into practice, some more successfully than others. However, through trial and error, and certainly thanks to the tremendous perseverance of Karin Blankenstein, the JBF has increasingly become a household name, an authority in the field of LGBTI+ and inclusion in sport. With the addition of a few fantastic people to our board, we can work even more directly and professionally. The group of experts that has been established over time are the ‘Sergeants’ of our organisation. Their commitment is also indispensable.”

As a metaphor, Karin recounts a fond memory: “We once had a JBF outing in Amsterdam with all our volunteers. Jip had arranged a boat and, as captain, he sailed us through the Amsterdam canals while recounting all his memories of Amsterdam. Jip was the guide on the boat, but he has always been that to me, from day one.“

Jip about his good friend John:
Before I got to know John personally, I knew him, of course, from professional football, where he was THE referee. I was impressed by the fact that he was open about his sexuality and was able to express this so eloquently. I was still completely in the closet myself and was full of admiration and, to be honest, a little afraid of him! I sometimes saw him from my workplace in the Olympic Stadium, where I also went.

The last time I saw John was at the World Cup in Amsterdam.
He was standing at a match with a number of former Ajax players, enjoying himself and commenting on everything. I took John to the organisation tent and introduced him to everyone. Well, introduced him? Everyone knew him and was impressed that he was there.

After having something to eat and drink, John wanted to go home. I accompanied him to his car. We agreed that we would finally go out for a meal soon. “But you have to take the initiative, Jip,” said John, “I haven't been feeling well lately.”
After three farewell kisses, he drove away. Forever...