Our ambassadors defend the values we strive for
HIGH-IMPACT LEADERS FROM ALL SECTORS IN SOCIETY
Meet our ambassadors
Social entrepreneur and artist from Ghana
Founder Noldor Art Residency
Forbes Africa 30 Under 30
Residencies at Josef and Anni Albers Foundation, Center Point Art Residency, Leonhard’s Gallery Residency, Nirox Foundation.
Featured in New York Times, Financial Times and Sotheby.
Why Joseph Awuah-Darko supports Forbidden Colours:
“As a marginalised contemporary artist from Ghana living and working in the Global South, my desire to be an ambassador for Forbidden Colours comes from my resolute belief in the fundamental rights of all individuals, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, to live freely and with dignity. Coming from a country that has normalised institutionally promoted anti-LGBTIQ+ propaganda, I realise the importance of the work that needs to actively fight discrimination. By supporting initiatives that empower LGBTIQ+ people in Europe and beyond, I can contribute to a global movement for equality and social justice. Additionally, as an advocate for marginalised communities [BIPOC especially], I am passionate about challenging legislative discrimination, making Forbidden Colours’ advocacy a perfect alignment for my values and mission as an artist in an imperfect world. Happy to contribute my perspective and experiences for the greater good.“
Consumer Market Officer
Active within Proximus.
Why Jim Casteele supports Forbidden Colours:
“We have come a long way when it comes to LGBTQ+ rights in Belgium. At the same time, we should remember not to take this for granted. People have fought hard to get where we are, and we see that our rights are increasingly under pressure. So I’m honoured as an ambassador for Forbidden Colours to be able to contribute in making sure we defend the rights of our community, together with our allies. “
Belgian film director and screenwriter.
Debut feature film, Girl, wan the Caméra d’Or and the Queer Palm awards at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival.
Second feature film, Close, wan the Grand Prix, and was nominated for the Oscar’s for Best International Feature Film.
Why Lukas Dhont supports Forbidden Colours:
“For me, Forbidden Colours is a way to support a cause that is very close to my heart. An ambition to support initiatives that can make a change. A desire for equality.”
Lukas is also a member of the steering committee at the Fund Forbidden Colours at the King Baudouin Foundation.
Chief Commercial Officer
CCO DPG Media Belgium
Former CEO of JCDecaux Belux & Israel
Why Wim Jansen supports Forbidden Colours:
“As an ambassador of Forbidden Colours I want to support this organization and show everybody that even if you are not gay as I am, we need to step up all together and defend freedom for all. There is too much discrimination and the world deserves to become more in harmony, we are all connected.
As a kid I had the chance to be in contact with many different nationalities since my parents worked abroad and travelled from one country to another, as a consequence I enjoyed being in some different places and had many friends. When growing up I loved to travel abroad to far places and realized even more that we are all the same no matter where we come from, what religion we have, what colour we have, what language we speak and to whom we are attracted too. We can all enjoy life and share the same emotions, let’s all support freedom of living together for all.
In the meantime I am happily married for over 25 years and have 2 healthy sons (in their 20s) and we have raised them to be balanced and open human beings and it is great to see them interact in a full inclusive way in our world.
The past 20 years I have been in C-level roles within companies and as a role model it is even more important to express clearly our support for the human cause, also the LGBTIQ+ one.
I enjoy having gay friends, working with gay collegues, having hired already more than a decade ago some of the greatest, most creative, most funny, most empathetic gay people and they always thrived within the teams.
Let us reach out to everybody that it is okay to behave in our authentic self, this is the biggest freedom we should all be able to enjoy and call “our normal together.”
Belgian LGBTIQ+ activist
Long-term LGBTIQ+ activist in Belgium
At the cradle of the introduction of the law on automatic co-parenting
Why Leonie Nelissen supports Forbidden Colours:
“In recent years, the laws for which our community has fought so hard, have been under increasing pressure. It is important that we, together with our allies and sympathisers, guard and defend our rights. I am proud to be an ambassador of Forbidden Colours, an initiative that aims to support projects that promote the well-being and empowerment of the LGBTIQ+ community. Together we can send out a strong message.”
Leonie is also a member of the steering committee at the Fund Forbidden Colours at the King Baudouin Foundation.
Professor, Belgian-British microbiologist
Pioneering researcher into AIDS & Ebola.
Held key positions in the United Nations and World Health Organization involving AIDS research and management.
Appointed to the European Commission’s advisory panel on COVID-19
Why Peter Piot supports Forbidden Colours:
“Every human being has the right to a life in full respect, and without discrimination and stigma. Not enough organisations are standing up for LGBTIQ+ rights, which are under threat in numerous societies. Forbidden Colours has been playing an important and much needed role a European level.”
Belgian entrepreneur & marketing manager RBFA
Specialized in marketing & communications with expertise in content, digital marketing, press, campaigns and brand strategy for different industries. Sharing his entrepreneurial skills via Would Be Chef, Wijn Ornelis, Silenro Publishers and numerous other clients.
Why Michaël Schockaert supports Forbidden Colours:
“I truly believe that together we can make a difference in the world towards equality for everyone. Especially the human rights of LGBTIQ+ people are in need of extra attention and care at this moment. As a community, we should join forces more and use our drive and connections to explain that those belonging to the LGBTIQ+ communities are no threat, but also just people in search of a good life.“
Former Belgian Basketball Player
5 Year Long European Player of the Year by La Gazzetta dello Sport
In 2005, the only European player in the WNBA’s All-Star Team
Olympian
Why Ann Wauters supports Forbidden Colours:
“I am honoured and enthusiastic about becoming an ambassador for Forbidden Colours. In my personal journey, I have been fortunate to experience unwavering acceptance and support from my family, friends and teammates in the different basketball teams I played for, regarding my homosexuality and the life I share with my wife and our kids.
This has made me acutely aware of the privileges I enjoy today, earned through the struggles and sacrifices of those who fought for LGBTIQ+ rights.“
Many people : one
team one purpose
We are individuals with various professional responsibilities and combine our expertise, our experience and our social networks for the benefit of Forbidden Coulours.
Our purpose is to create a better world for LGBTIQ+ people in which they can live in freedom with self-respect and dignity.
The Forbidden Colours’ Ambassadors are a group of like-minded people who voluntarily strive to attain the same goal by putting their individual interests aside and without any kind of financial benefits.
