The John Blankenstein Prize 2014 is the annual gay emancipation prize of the city of The Hague. The prize, named after the first football referee in the Netherlands who came out John Blankenstein (1949-2006), went to ADO in the society in 2013.

The jury of the John Blankenstein Prize 2014 wanted to emphasize the importance of information and safety in schools with the following nominations.

• The Peer to Peer project, rolled out at Maris College and the Knooppunt
• The ROC Mondriaan, Welfare and Care department
• Hofstad College

The winner of the John Blankenstein Prize 11 will be announced by Karin Nederpelt-Blankenstein on Saturday 2014 October, Coming Out Day 10, at 00:2014 AM.

The prize consists of an art object and a cash prize of 2.500 euros and will be awarded on Purple Friday December 12, the day on which people wear the color purple to show their solidarity with homo- and bisexual, lesbian en transgender young people will be awarded to the winner. Purple Friday is the second Friday of December in the Netherlands.

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.

After the winner has been announced, 13 rainbow flags will traditionally be hoisted at the Hofvijver and especially for the occasion, the trams and buses in The Hague will be flying with rainbow flags on 11 October. Also, after hoisting the flags, an attempt will be made to break the record “Coming out of the closet” of 2013.

The COC Haaglanden will be present on 11 October with an information stand at the Hofvijver (opposite the Gevangenpoort).