Minister Schippers pleit voor veilige sportomgeving

Toespraak | 12-10-2012

Dear guests,

It is an honor to open this very important conference here in the heart of the Netherlands, in Utrecht. I want to thank mr. Lou Manders for his opening remarks and the European gay and Lesbian Sport Federation for organizing this meeting.

Let me start by asking the question: Why are we gathered here today? What problem are we facing exactly?

Well, the problem is, that in the year 2012!, millions of people worldwide are afraid to say who they really are. That millions of people cannot be true to themselves, not true to their family and not true to their friends. These people cannot live the life they want, because they fear the reactions of the people around them if they would tell they are gay. And in some countries, simply being yourself is even punishable by law. I find that unacceptable.

It is a very big problem in society, but the problem is sometimes even bigger in sports. The Netherlands was the first country in the world with a true gay marriage and we are known for our tolerance, but it is striking that there is not a single professional football player in The Netherlands that is openly gay.

Are gays ‘less sportive’ as a famous Dutch football coach recently suggested? Of course not! They are scared for reactions of colleagues, opponents and fans. When you go to an average football game, you can quickly understand why they are afraid. Hundreds of fans shouting the most awful things. As a single player or trainer standing up against those offences is really difficult.

This problem exists not only in football, but in many other sports as well. That is the reason why most professional athletes only come out áfter their active career. The key question is; how do we change this reality? That is the big task we are up against.  

Ladies and gentlemen,

I want to use this opportunity to express my respect to the Puerto Rican boxer Orlando Cruz. Last week, he was the first active professional boxer ever to reveal that he is gay. He wants to be a role model for kids and I believe that he is. He shows that it is oké to be yourself and to stand up for your feelings. He fought many opponents in the ring, but he finally beat the most stubborn one, and that was the fear for coming out and standing up for his sexuality. But the fact that it took until now, until the year 2012, for this to happen for the first time in boxing says it all. I hope that true sport heroes like Orlando Cruz will function as a role-model and will convince others to take the same step.

But what can we do to create an environment in which professional athletes, and amateurs, can feel confident and free to say who the really are? How can we make sure that in every sport, everyone can be who he or she wants to be?

No-one, nowhere in Europe, nor the rest of the world, should be afraid of being open about their sexual preference.

In The Netherlands, a brought alliance of sports-associations and the government has launched a program towards a safe sporting climate. Several famous Dutch athletes are the face of this program and act as ambassadors. We will give the fight against homophobia a prominent role in this program. This would give an enormous boost to the program and can lead the way for sport associations in the Netherlands in their efforts to promote the acceptation of homosexuality.

What can WE do more to tackle this problem? That is the question that will be asked during the next two days of this conference. For every person this question will be answered differently, and it depends on the situation and position you are in. As minister of sports, I met different Gay and Lesbian rights associations during the European Championships in Ukraine. What they told me is that it is not only the government, or the lawmakers that are the problem, it is the society as a whole. Absolutely, the government should give the right example, create good laws and keep the laws, but the only way to influence the society, is by addressing and discussing the issue over and over and help each other to make progress.

It helps to get support for example from a tv program. In Holland we had for example the sitcom “All Stars” about a footballteam, where one of the football players was gay.

I believe, that within the next couple of years, two things should happen. Firstly I would like that respect and accepting each other’s differences becomes part of the youth training in any sport. Athletes like Orlando Cruz can play a big role in this and it will form the basis on which we can enlarge the acceptation of homosexuality. And secondly, I would like that every association, every club creates an active policy on fighting homophobia. In the end, they should not hesitate to suspend people that are guilty of discrimination.

In the UK, a Sports charter against homophobia was created. Over three thousand sporting bodies, clubs, professional athletes, celebrities and sports fans have signed this charter and committed to taking action. Including all the football clubs in the Premier League! I believe this is a great example of working together and spreading the word that discrimination in sports is not accepted. Why don’t we create a similar charter in the Netherlands and the rest of Europe? I think we should. We can learn from each other and we must!

For that reason I am glad that the largest sport association of the Netherlands, the Football association, is taking its responsibility in fighting homophobia here today.

Sincere complements to Michael van Praag, and the KNVB for their commitment and for this discussion to stand up and do something sustainable.

Ladies and gentlemen,

I urge you all, governments, policy makers, researchers, managers, coaches and athletes, to create a safe sporting environment for everyone. It is absolutely necessary to join forces. Discrimination may not be accepted, in any form. You need to create clear limits and discuss this theme, but most importantly, within your own club or association. The world cannot change like that, but if we stand together we might. Let’s start today!

Thank you for your attention.