Meet the nominees for the 2026 Jos Brink Prize celebrating LGBTIQ+ champions
Six inspiring individuals and initiatives have been nominated for the Jos Brink Prize, recognizing their efforts to improve acceptance and safety for LGBTIQ+ people. The winners, chosen for their impactful contributions, will receive cash prizes and be honored at a ceremony in Rotterdam on April 19.
| Category | Nominees | Prize Amount | Ceremony Date | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jos Brink Oeuvre Prize | Splinter Chabot, Pim Lammers, Fleur Pierets | €10,000 | April 19, 2026 | Maassilo, Rotterdam |
| Jos Brink Innovation Prize | Remco Boxelaar, Romy Rockx, Junior van Keulen | €1,000 | April 19, 2026 | Maassilo, Rotterdam |
| Jury Chair | Duncan Laurence | - | - | - |
| Awarded By | Judith Tielen, State Secretary for Education and Emancipation | - | - | - |
The Ministry of Education, Culture and Science oversees the Jos Brink Prize, which aims to highlight and reward individuals and organizations contributing to the emancipation and acceptance of LGBTIQ+ people in the Netherlands. The prize underscores the government’s commitment to fostering equality and inclusivity in society.
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Nominees for the Jos Brink Prize 2026
The nominees for the Jos Brink Oeuvre Prize and the Jos Brink Innovation Prize have been announced. An independent jury, led by Duncan Laurence, has selected Splinter Chabot, Pim Lammers, and Fleur Pierets for the Oeuvre Prize. Remco Boxelaar, Romy Rockx, and Junior van Keulen are the nominated candidates for the Innovation Prize. The government prizes will be awarded on Sunday, April 19, in Rotterdam’s Maassilo by Judith Tielen, State Secretary for Education and Emancipation.
The Jos Brink Prize is an initiative of the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science. The Jos Brink Oeuvre Prize is awarded every two years to an individual, group, or institution that has made a fundamental contribution to improving the position of lesbian women, gay men, bi+ individuals, transgender people, and intersex people in society. The prize consists of a cash award of €10,000 and a work of art.
The Jos Brink Innovation Prize is a biennial encouragement prize for an individual or organization that has made an inspiring commitment to improving the acceptance and safety of LGBTIQ+ people in society. The prize serves to encourage them to continue their exemplary role. The prize consists of a cash award of €1,000.
State Secretary Judith Tielen: “Everyone is equal in our country, regardless of who you love. Unfortunately, not everyone experiences this as a matter of course. That’s why I look forward to presenting the Jos Brink Prize to those who are making a powerful and personal contribution to the equality of LGBTIQ+ people. It will be exciting to see whether it will be Splinter Chabot, Fleur Pierets, or Pim Lammers!”
Oeuvre Prize Nominees
For the Oeuvre Prize, the jury has nominated Splinter Chabot, known as a writer, program maker, and presenter. Splinter Chabot advocates for the queer community through visibility, candid stories about identity, and creating recognition. His work provides support to both queer youth and adults. Queer themes also feature in his TV program *Lieve SPLNTR!*, where he discusses topics such as coming out, arguments with parents, and anti-homosexual violence. Despite his young age, he has already made a highly positive impact on the queer community.
Fleur Pierets has also been nominated by the jury. After losing her partner and throughout their time together, Fleur Pierets transformed grief, love, and inequality into activism with great impact. Through her international marriage campaign and public storytelling, she vividly highlighted the persistent global inequality faced by lesbian couples. Her autobiographical book *Julian* was adapted into a film and premiered at the prestigious Toronto International Film Festival. As a writer, speaker, and activist, Fleur Pierets combines vulnerability with sharpness. The jury sees her as an example of a loving activist.
The third nominee is Pim Lammers. He is an author and deeply involved in inclusive cultural initiatives. With his books, Pim Lammers is one of the most visible and influential children’s book authors when it comes to LGBTQI+ themes. He is also the founder of queerboeken.nl: the Dutch platform for LGBTQ+ literature—a place where young readers and their teachers can find and explore diversity. The jury is very curious about what he will do next, as he has already made a strong start.
Innovation Prize Nominees
For the Innovation Prize, the jury has nominated Remco Boxelaar, Romy Rockx, and Junior van Keulen. Remco Boxelaar is the founder of Corporate Queer, which bridges activism and the business world. The jury appreciates how he highlights and counters stereotypical prejudices against LGBTIQ+ individuals.
Romy Rockx has also been nominated. He is the founder of Queer Gym, a gym for queer and trans people where no compromises are made on safety or inclusion. With Queer Gym, Romy Rockx makes a difference for many people, offering them a choice between adapting to survive or being themselves.
The jury finds it particularly important that Queer Gym provides a safe space for queer individuals to work out, including gender-neutral changing rooms for trans people.
The final nominee is Junior van Keulen. As creative director of Club NYX, Junior van Keulen creates space for queer creators, performers, and communities. Through carefully curated programs, actively supporting new talent, and embedding queer values within the organization itself, Junior contributes to a nightlife that is not only representative but also sustainable and meaningful. His efforts extend beyond programming to focus on community building, emancipation, and normalizing diverse queer identities.
Jury
The jury for the Jos Brink Prize 2026 consists of chair Duncan Laurence (singer-songwriter) and jury members Lot Mulder (influencer @dehaarclipvanmarieclaire) and Mandy Woelkens (program maker and presenter).
The prize is named after Jos Brink (1942–2007), a champion of the acceptance and emancipation of LGBTIQ+ people who openly came out as gay. In 2023, the Oeuvre Prize was awarded to Roze 50+, while the Innovation Prize went to Paul van Dorst, the founder of Roze Kameraden.