The LGBT Innovation Prize is awarded once every two years to a person, group or institution that is committed to improving the position of lesbian women, gay men, bisexual men and women and transgender persons (LGBTs) in society. This year's theme is 'Acceptance and safety of LGBT youth'.

By presenting the LGBT innovation prize, the government underlines the importance it attaches to improving the acceptance of this group in Dutch society and beyond. The prize consists of a cash prize of €1.000 and an art object.

Nominees

Chris Bellonic makes documentaries with social relevance. His film 'I Am Gay and Muslim', about homosexuality in Morocco, is taboo-breaking and has been selected for more than forty international film festivals. To make Moroccan lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders more visible, he organized a Moroccan boat in 2014 during the Amsterdam Gay Pride. He invited several gay activists from Morocco to sail along. Belloni also produces short films and is active as a blogger.

The special teaching method Equal = Equal' was developed for primary schools and teaches children to distinguish between prejudices and facts. Jewish, Muslim and gay young people always give a lesson together and tell about themselves as role models and share personal experiences with the students. Because what was it like to tell your parents that you are gay? Or how does it feel when you are not accepted because you wear a skullcap or headscarf? What does it do to you when you are bullied or discriminated against?

The Gender Bread Kit is an educational workshop that discusses gender and sexual diversity in a light-hearted and interactive way and encourages secondary school students to think about themselves and others. Children, but also adults, who do not fit within the norm, are often bullied and labeled as 'weird'. The Genderbread Kit opens up about the subject and encourages young people to broaden their horizons. The workshop uses cookies (Genderbread) to explain the four 'ingredients' of human identity – sex, gender, expression and attraction. The basic principle is that everyone is unique and that diversity can be found in every class.

International Day Against Homophobia

The prize will be awarded on 17 May 2015 in the Koninklijke Schouwburg in The Hague. The ceremony coincides with IDAHO (International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia). The prize was awarded to Ahmed Marcouch in 2011 and to Döne Fil in 2013. They received the prize for their inspiring contribution to the emancipation process of lesbian women, gay men, bisexual men and women and transgenders. The award is an encouragement to continue this exemplary role.

Jury

The jury of the 2015 LGBT innovation prize consists of Barbara Barend (chairman), Saskia Keuzenkamp, ​​Monique Samuel, Johan Kenkhuis and Winfried Baijens.

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Source: Ministry of Education, Culture and Science