Photography: Prisma Compositional
Video: Paradox Productions
Interview: Paul Hofman
Former elite gymnast Jeffrey Wammes was extremely proud when Pride Amsterdam asked him to be one of the 2019 ambassadors. “It’s a great honour for me. On a personal level it means a lot. It’s actually quite strange that Pride is still necessary. There’s still a stigma.”
In an open conversation a stone’s throw from Amsterdam’s Olympic Stadium he enthusiastically talks about his sporting career, coming-out and his ambassadorship. “
Smiling brightly, he walks into the café-restaurant. With his muscular build and cheerful smile he attracts plenty of attention.
REKSTOK
From from a young age Jeffrey Wammes was captivated by gymnastics. As a child the horizontal bar came before everything. His talent was soon discovered. He trained hard and won many prizes.
At seventeen he broke through internationally. For the first time in history a Dutchman won two gold medals at World Cup events. It marked the start of his career as a top athlete. At the World Championships in Melbourne, Australia (2005) he, together with teammate Epke Zonderland, qualified for the all-around final. At that time they were the first Dutch men in history to reach that stage.
As recognition for these achievements, he was named Amsterdam’s Sportsman of the Year in 2010.
HAANTJES
Barely a year later the consummate sportsman came out publicly in the glossy gay magazine L’Homo. He had just turned 23 and felt it was time to make a big coming-out. “There are few athletes who come out and that’s a shame. I think it’s because they’re afraid of bullying and discrimination. When I came out I only got positive reactions. My sport isn’t a team sport and that makes it different from, say, football. If you have a few alpha types in the dressing room after a football match, I can understand that it can be difficult. If a footballer says he’s gay, the world seems to collapse. That’s really strange. It’s high time that a well-known and successful footballer, for example a high-scoring player, comes out. I truly think that would help. The more you perform, the easier such a coming-out becomes.”
DEAFENING SILENCE
His interview with L’Homo made a big impression at the time. His story and the photos that accompanied it were striking. “I wanted to get ahead of all the rumours.” That he heard nothing from the gymnastics federation after his public coming-out still bothers him. “From the federation I received no response. It was deafeningly quiet. I would have appreciated a listening ear back then.” But there was nothing. ” Does he see that as a missed opportunity? “Absolutely. That deafening silence felt very strange. I had to do it alone. I managed, but that’s not the case for everyone.”
ACTIONS, NOT JUST WORDS
Since then the gymnastics federation has indeed put LGBT on the agenda. It appears to be a cautious step. “They’re taking it seriously now and I’m very pleased about that. The federation should of course project that they stand for equality and not only say it but also show it in deeds. I was successful and strong enough, but one way or another, a bit of support is indispensable.”
“Personally I have always been very open about my homosexuality. Why not?” he asks with a smile.
SPORTBOOT
That a sports boat with representatives from seventeen sports federations and the NOC*NSF will sail in the upcoming Canal Parade excites him. ”Fortunately that stigma is no longer as strong. I notice that homosexuality is increasingly accepted in sport, especially among young people.” He remembers his first Pride clearly. “I knew the boat parade from TV. When I first saw those extreme images of men with bare torsos I was a bit shocked. Later, when I sailed for the first time myself, I saw it’s only a small part of Pride. For me that first meeting with the Canal Parade was mainly fun and sociable.”
AFSCHUWELIJK
The rise in violence against gay people is something that pains him. “I have never been harassed myself but I know stories from people in my circle of friends. Horrifying.” According to Jeffrey it’s a painful contradiction: on the one hand homosexuality is increasingly accepted, especially among young people, and on the other hand there is anti-gay violence.
The message he will convey as Pride ambassador this year is unambiguous. “I will spread the message everywhere that it’s so important to be yourself.” That a sports boat is sailing this year has his full support. “It was about time.” Even though he no longer competes at top level, he remains an active gymnast. “Sport means a lot to me.”
ROLMODEL
Many people think more gay athletes should follow his example. He is surprised to be seen as a role model. “If someone doesn’t accept me, so what? There are so many people who do. I won’t allow someone to have a negative influence on my life.”
Then: “You shouldn’t take everything personally either. Don’t put yourself in the victim role. I never did that. I prefer to put my energy into other things.”
“MY MESSAGE IS ABOVE ALL TO BE YOURSELF”
“VOLUNTEERING IS NOT OPTIONAL”
Pride ambassador since 2019
