Photography: Prisma Compositional
Video: Paradox Productions
Interview: Paul Hofman
Former top 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. Personally it means a lot. It’s actually quite strange that Pride is still needed. There is still a taboo.”
In an open-hearted conversation just a stone’s throw from the Amsterdam Olympic Stadium he enthusiastically talks about his sporting career, his coming-out and his ambassadorship. “
He walks into the café-restaurant with a cheerful smile. With his muscular build and bright smile he attracts 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 discovered early. 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 competitions. It marked the start of his career as an elite athlete. At the World Championships in Melbourne, Australia (2005) he and his 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 a sign of appreciation for these achievements, he was named Amsterdam Sportsman of the Year in 2010.
HAANTJES
Barely a year later the sportsman at heart publicly came out in the glossy gay magazine L’Homo. He was just 23 and felt it was time to make a big coming-out. “Few athletes come out and that’s a shame. I think that’s because they fear bullying and discrimination. When I came out I only received 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 locker room after a football match, I can understand that it’s difficult. If a footballer says he’s gay, the world shrinks. That’s really strange. It’s high time a well-known and successful footballer — for example a high-scoring player — comes out. I really think that would help. The more you achieve, 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 accompanying photos were striking. “I wanted to get ahead of the rumours.” That he heard nothing from the gymnastics federation after his public coming-out still bothers him. “From from the federation I didn’t receive any response. It remained deafeningly quiet. A listening ear would have meant a lot to me back then.” But none of that happened. ” Does he see that as a missed opportunity? “Absolutely. That it remained deafeningly quiet I found very strange. I had to do it on my own. I managed, but that isn’t the case for everyone.”
ACTIONS, NOT JUST WORDS
Since then the gymnastics federation has indeed put LGBT issues on the agenda. It appears to be a cautious step. “They are taking it seriously now, and I’m very happy about that. The federation should of course convey that they stand for equality and show not only in words but also in deeds that they are doing something about it. I was successful and strong enough, but however you look at it, a bit of support is indispensable.”
“I have always been very open about my homosexuality. Why not?” he asks with a smile.
SPORTBOOT
He thinks it’s great that during the upcoming Canal Parade a sports boat with representatives from seventeen sports federations and NOC*NSF will sail along. “Luckily that taboo isn’t as strong anymore. I notice that homosexuality in sport is increasingly accepted.” He still clearly remembers his first Pride. “I knew the boat parade from television. When I saw those extreme images of men with bare chests I was taken aback. Later, when I sailed for the first time I saw that 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 troubles him. “I have never been harassed myself but I know the stories from people in my circle of friends. Horrible.” According to Jeffrey it’s very contradictory: on one hand homosexuality is more accepted, especially among young people, and on the other hand there is anti-gay violence.
The message he will promote this year as a Pride ambassador is straightforward. “I will spread the message everywhere that it’s so important to be yourself.” He supports the idea of a sports boat sailing this year. “About time.” Although he no longer competes at the highest level, he remains an active gymnast. “Sport means a lot to me.”
ROLMODEL
Many people think more gay athletes should follow that 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 anyone to have a negative influence on my life.”
Then: “You shouldn’t take everything personally either. Don’t adopt the victim role. I never did. I prefer to put my energy elsewhere.”
“MY MESSAGE IS ABOVE ALL TO BE YOURSELF”
“VOLUNTEERING IS NOT OPTIONAL”
Pride ambassador since 2019
