The John Blankenstein Prize 2014 is the annual gay emancipation prize of the city of The Hague. This prize emphasizes the importance of an equal position and participation of gay men and women. The Municipality of The Hague established the prize in 2009 with the aim of being an instrument with which The Hague demonstrates its appreciation to an organisation, person or group of persons for their contribution to gay emancipation in The Hague. The organization of the prize is in the hands of COC Haaglanden.

The annual award highlights the importance of making and keeping the theme of homosexuality a topic for discussion.

For who?
This year, the organization of the John Blankenstein Prize focuses emphatically on schools in The Hague. In a mailing, all secondary schools were contacted to register candidate schools that they believe are eligible for the John Blankenstein Prize. Such as a school that consciously strives for a more tolerant and gay-friendly environment for its students, for example by committing itself to achieving a gay-straight alliance (www.gaystraightalliance.nl).

It may be a recent activity, but an initiative that has been running for some time is also welcome. The condition is that it has to do with The Hague.

Nominate?
The closing date for submitting nominations for the 2014 John Blankenstein Prize is September 30. Need information or help submitting a nomination? Consult this website or contact COC Haaglanden. Previous winners are also listed on the website.

Entries with justification for the prize can be sent to: johnblankensteinprijs@cochaaglanden.nl

presentation!
The jury will nominate three nominations from which the winner will be announced during the award ceremony on 11 October (Coming Out Day). The prize is awarded by alderman Karsten Klein and consists of an art object and a cash prize of 2.500 euros.

In addition, the winner can count on the necessary publicity for a year as an 'ambassador' of the prize.