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LGBTIQ+ communities

Australian Sports Commission is determined to have more Australians participating and excelling in sport, from grass-roots right up to the pinnacle of elite competition.

LGBTIQ+ (or variations of it) is an acronym for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, people with innate variations of sex characteristic and queer/questioning.

It is used to refer collectively to these communities. The ‘LGB’ refers to sexuality/sexual identity; the ‘T’ refers to gender identity; and the ‘I’ refers to people who have innate variations of sex characteristic. ‘Q’ can refer to either gender identity or sexuality.

For broader and more detailed definitions we recommend visiting Language-and-terminology.pdf (prideinhealth.com.au), opens in a new tab

Discrimination directed towards individuals who identify as LGBTIQ+ has been reported in sports for a long time, and is still common in sport in Australia, with detrimental impact on health and wellbeing.

Many LGBTIQ+ people don’t see sport as a safe space where they can participate because of the continued prevalence of discrimination and hostility. Recently, there has been increased effort to address these issues with programs and initiatives like Pride in Sport, opens in a new tab and Rainbow Roadmap., opens in a new tab

Gender symbols

Strategies

LGBTIQ+ communities are diverse and there are unique differences between the various groups. Participation needs may be diverse and varied.

  • Understand the unique experiences and needs of your members and participants and the different barriers for each group.
  • Engage with local LGBTIQ+ community groups for support and direction and co-design policies and processes that focus on creating safe and welcoming spaces and experiences.
  • Develop clear policies that outline consequences for discrimination. Ensure homophobic slurs or insults (e.g. 'in jokes') are included as forms of discrimination and have the same consequences.
  • Revisit common sport processes. Consider adopting non-gendered teams, ensuring formal data collection allows individuals to identify various genders, and assign neutral parent or guardian (e.g. not mother/father) categories for junior sports.
  • Support staff to undertake training and education specific to LGBTIQ+ communities.
  • Use different or innovative ways to attract new members, for example through social media or other digital technologies. Connect with and host initiatives like Pride Cup, opens in a new tab, to show your commitment and support for inclusivity.
  • Let everyone know your organisation is committed to including LGBTIQ+ members (visible commitment and media coverage). This applies to opportunities to participate, volunteer or work in sport.
  • Promote inclusive/gender neutral language using appropriate terms and pronouns.
  • Increase the visibility of LGBTIQ+ athletes, coaches and staff.
  • Enclose changing areas, create private spaces, showers and toilets for everyone.
  • Change the signage on some of the facilities to unisex/gender neutral to provide an option for non-binary people.
  • Allow flexibility with uniforms and ensure these respect an individual’s gender identity and gender expression. (All players should be able to play in a uniform in which they feel comfortable and access to appropriate sizes and body types).
  • Display visible items such as flags, opens in a new tab or information to promote gender neutral language and the use of pronouns around the club.
  • Trans athletes should be allowed to participate/compete on the team/category that matches their gender identity.
  • Implement structures and safeguards regarding the collection and use of personal information, particularly where it relates to name and gender.
  • Ensure registration questions include options to select the appropriate gender identity/category (non-binary), as well as option for preferred name and title/pronoun.
  • Annually complete the Pride in Sport Index, opens in a new tab to benchmark your improvement as a club to coming safe and inclusive for the LGBTIQ+ communities.

Resources

Language

Videos

Guided, frameworks and resources

Best practice examples

VICTENNIS – GLAM SLAM

Organised by VicTennis, the Glam Slam provides an opportunity for members of our diverse community to partake in The Australian Open. The event offers a genuine Grand Slam experience with a range of different activities held during the Australian Open. The Glam Slam represents diversity inclusion, gender equality and sports promotion, increasing the visibility of our diverse community and building stronger and more cohesive social connections.

READ MORE, opens in a new tab

PRIDE CUP

Pride Cup is a movement in community sport that provides accessible support and education about LGBTIQ+ inclusion. Sports and clubs can register their Pride Cups, or book educational sessions and workshops on inclusion. Pride Cup events can be an instrumental step in creating more long-term and positive change for LGBTIQ+ communities in sport.

READ MORE, opens in a new tab

PROUD 2 PLAY/ VICSPORT – RAINBOW ROADMAP

In partnership with VicSport, Proud 2 Play has launched a rainbow roadmap to prepare sporting organisations to become rainbow ready. The five-step process requires organisations to engage with LGBTIQ+ communities, to ensure that their policies, programs, and processes ensure that LGBTIQ+ people have positive and safe experiences in sport.

READ MORE, opens in a new tab

First Nations Australians Cultural, racial and linguistically diverse communities LGBTIQ+ communities People with disability Intersectionality Women and girls

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