The COC, the Dutch lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights organisation, has presented this year's Bob Angelo Prize to television presenter Arie Boomsma and the Remonstrant Church.

The COC says Arie Boomsma was selected because as "as a practising Christian he has made homosexuality a topic of conversation in a lighthearted and loving way". The Remonstrant Church was selected as joint winner because it was the first Christian church to accept lesbian and gay relationships.
 

The Bob Angelo Prize is awarded to people or organisations who have helped increase acceptance of LGBT people in the Netherlands. The prize is named after Bob Angelo, a founding member of the COC. His real name was Nico Engelschman; aside from being an LGBT rights activist, he was also an actor and a member of the resistance during World War II.

Photograph: COC offices in Amsterdam; jric. Arie Boomsma: ANP