Luis Benavides and Inclusive Combat:
Fostering LGBTQ+ Empowerment Through BJJ
Luis Benavides is originally from Mexico and left his home country at the age of 21 to pursue his bachelor’s education in Australia. While living in Sydney, he discovered a passion for rugby and played with the Sydney Convicts for a season. Afterward, he moved to Brisbane to pursue his master’s degree. Upon graduating, he returned to Mexico City in 2018. His journey then took him to Amsterdam in January 2021, arriving just in time for the pandemic lockdowns. By January 2023, he joined the Amsterdam Lowlanders and played rugby for a season before a foot injury ended his rugby journey. Luis cherished the sport not for professional aspirations, but for the camaraderie and sense of community it offered. “I played rugby not as a professional but for the sense of camaraderie and community it offered,” Luis shared.
After his foot injury, Luis found returning to rugby too painful, so he shifted his focus to bodybuilding. However, this quickly became monotonous. Since 2018, he had been interested in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) and had a brief stint with wrestling, but it didn’t captivate him like BJJ did. In October 2023, he began practicing BJJ, albeit sporadically at first, taking a significant break until February 2024. During a period of burnout, BJJ became a crucial part of his recovery, helping to alleviate anxiety by forcing him to focus on the present and only on things within his control. “The nature of the sport forces you to focus on the present and only on the things you can control, as well as your reaction to them. Over time, that mindfulness seeps into your daily life,” he explained. His journey was further complicated by the death of his 34-year-old sister in August 2023, an experience that taught him the importance of living in the moment and making every second count.
Luis is now channeling his experiences and passion for martial arts into organizing an event called “Inclusive Combat: BJJ & Self-Defense Day.” Scheduled for Sunday, July 21, 2024, from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Joop Geesinkweg 501, 1114 AB Amsterdam, this two-hour workshop is free and open to all members of the LGBTQ+ community and allies. With limited spots available, registration is required. Participants will receive an introduction to BJJ and learn basic self-defense techniques from expert instructors, Julio Vinke and Fernando Arce.
Julio Vinke is a black belt under Ribeiro Jiujitsu Brasilia with 12 years of teaching and training experience in BJJ. He remains active in the competition scene and aims to grow the art of BJJ in the Netherlands, helping to bring the country to the world stage in competition. Fernando Arce, also a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Christian Grimaldo and Gustavo Carpio (Bushido FT/Checkmat Downey), has over 10 years of experience in both gi and no gi. Fernando has won medals at IBJJF Worlds, Pans, and Europeans and was the first Peruvian invited to the World Pro in Abu Dhabi after winning the trials. He has five years of teaching experience and was the owner of two BJJ academies in Peru. Their expertise and dedication make them perfect mentors for the workshop.
Luis chose to focus on BJJ and self-defense for this workshop because BJJ emphasizes technique and leverage over brute strength, making it accessible to people of all sizes and physical abilities. Despite his rugby background and strength, Luis has found BJJ to be an eye-opening experience. “Even though I tend to rely on strength, given my rugby background and being on the stronger side, BJJ has been an eye-opening experience,” he said. He recalls a 19 or 20-year-old who weighs about 65kg consistently making him, at 85kg, and even people over 100kg, submit. “This sport teaches you that everyone can use their unique strengths to their advantage, and just because someone looks small, doesn’t mean they can’t kick your ass,” Luis emphasized. Self-defense is a critical skill, especially for individuals who may feel vulnerable due to their identity. By learning these techniques, participants can gain confidence and a sense of empowerment, knowing they have the skills to protect themselves if needed.
Luis hopes participants leave the workshop feeling empowered and more confident in their ability to defend themselves. He also wants them to feel a sense of belonging and connection within the community. “It’s about building physical skills and fostering a supportive and inclusive environment where everyone feels welcome and valued,” he explained. Additionally, he aims to spark an interest in BJJ within the LGBTQ+ community and help the entire BJJ community in the Netherlands grow. By promoting inclusivity and diversity in the sport, he hopes to encourage more people to participate and experience the benefits of BJJ.
Despite only starting BJJ in February, Luis has already participated in two tournaments: the Dutch Open and the Kaizen League, the latter being the largest. He noticed a growing diversity in participation, especially among women, though their numbers are still relatively low. He gives a shoutout to the Bellatrix Community, which connects women in BJJ and organizes events and seminars to empower them, playing a significant role in the foundation of Inclusive Combat.
Luis’s experience with inclusive rugby through LGBTQ+ networks and observing organizations like International Gay Rugby (IGR) has shown him the power of community. IGR organizes global and European tournaments, creating spaces where LGBTQ+ athletes can compete and connect. Inspired by the Bellatrix Community in BJJ, Luis realized the potential for creating a similar network for LGBTQ+ individuals and allies in BJJ. “This network could help lower the barriers that LGBTQ+ people might face in starting BJJ or seeing it as an option, aligning with the goal of making BJJ a sport practiced by many more people,” he said.
Inclusive Combat is now partnering with Pride and Sports, a Dutch platform advocating for a safe space for all athletes, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or sex characteristics. They organize events and programs that promote inclusivity, community spirit, and the health and wellbeing of the LGBTQ+ community through sports. This partnership will greatly benefit the inclusive sport scene by providing more opportunities for LGBTQ+ individuals to participate in sports in a supportive and welcoming environment.
Interested individuals can register for the event through Eventbrite, with the registration link available in the Instagram bio of Inclusive Combat (@inclusive.combat). Spots are limited and filling up quickly.
Looking to the future, Luis plans to continue offering workshops and possibly expand into regular training sessions based on the feedback and interest they receive. They are also exploring partnerships with local academies to provide promotional rates for long-term training. The goal is to make martial arts accessible to as many people as possible while continuing to build a strong, inclusive community.
Luis is excited about the upcoming workshop and looks forward to seeing new faces there. He emphasizes that martial arts are not just about physical strength but also about building mental resilience and fostering a sense of community. “I hope many people take advantage of this opportunity to learn, grow, and connect with others,” he said. For more information and to stay updated on future events, follow Inclusive Combat Amsterdam on Instagram @inclusive.combat and visit their website.
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