WorldPride Washington, D.C. Human Rights Conference 2025

How local governments and grassroots clubs in the Netherlands are building inclusive sports environments.

What does creating safer and more inclusive sports environments take for individual clubs and across an entire region?
In this session, Henk Nijmeijer, Rainbow Ambassador for the Province of Drenthe (Netherlands), shares the story of The Safe Dressing Room, a Dutch program developed in close cooperation with local governments, grassroots sports clubs, and national partners.
You’ll learn how regional alliances can support cultural change in the amateur and community sports sector, and what this means for club boards, volunteers, and local coordinators. This workshop highlights the power of collaborative leadership, policy support, and shared responsibility across municipalities, sports federations, and community actors.
This session is especially relevant for club administrators, policymakers, and sports professionals working to create safer and more welcoming environments on and off the field. It is also for those interested in policy-based approaches, regional coordination, and building trust and structure across systems, especially in rural or local contexts.

Note on the title:
In the original Dutch program, we speak of “De Veilige Kleedkamer,” which translates to both “locker room” and “dressing room.” While the program may appear as “The Safe Locker Room” in some places, the official international name is The Safe Dressing Room, emphasizing the social and cultural space where safety, identity, and inclusion meet. This initiative is not just about a physical space but about the culture within it.