Gender-specific guidelines launched

National guidelines for the inclusion of transgender and gender-diverse people in sport were launched in Melbourne today. The guidelines were developed by the Australian Human Rights Commission in collaboration with Sport Australia and the Coalition of Major Professional and Participation Sports (COMPPS).

The guidelines contain information about the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (Cth) and guidelines for creating and promoting inclusive environments in sport. Kate Palmer, CEO of Sport Australia, said the simplest approach was "putting people first".

"Sport must be safe and inclusive, because every Australian has the fundamental right to enjoy the great benefits of sport and physical activity," Palmer said. "Sport Australia stands for inclusiveness and we want every person in Australian sport to be with us.

"Research shows that gender diversity, especially young people, want to exercise and exercise more, but are often confronted with or afraid of peer rejection. Let's make sport a welcoming place to help. Let sport be an example for a wider society, shows how we can positively influence community connections and a better future.

"It must have strong and proactive leadership to stand up to any attitude or behavior that leads to discrimination in sports, so I urge every sports organization to use this medicine as a guide to make your sport more inclusive But it's not just our sports leaders, any person involved in Australian sport can play an important role in more inclusion. "

Sex discrimination commissioner Kate Jenkins said the Australian Human Rights Commission has consulted with a wide range of sport actors, including transgender and gender-diverse participants at different sport and competition levels to develop the guidelines

"Unfortunately, transgender and gender-diverse people are sometimes excluded from sports or experience discrimination and sexual harassment when they participate," Jenkins said.

"Although some reported positive experiences with inclusion, others described how they were excluded from the sports they loved because of their gender or gender identity. Some talked about leaving sport during their transition journey because of concerns about how their teammates would treat them.

"I look forward to sports organizations using these guidelines to take steps to encourage the integration of transgender and gender-diverse people in their sport."

COMPPS represents some of the largest sports in Australia, including 9 million participants and 16,000 clubs. The COMPPS spokesperson, Craig Tiley, urged all sports to abide by the guidelines.

"We are proud to be involved in the development of these guidelines, but these are just words on pages until we, as sports leaders, implement and bring them to life," Tiley said.

"As guardians of our sport, we must all embrace and promote the importance of diversity and inclusion, so that sport better represents individuals, communities and Australia as a whole"

As a representative of the LGBTI charity organization, Proud 2 Play, outreach manager and sports participant Bowie Stover says the guidelines are a positive step towards the inclusion of transgender and gender diverse people in the wider sports community

"As a non-binary athlete and after working with many sports clubs and codes in recent years, I have experienced firsthand the many positive results that occur when clubs actively support their trans- and gender-diverse participants, "Stover called.

"It not only benefits the trans- and gender-diverse community involved as players, volunteers and spectators, but also helps the clubs and all sports as a whole to create a varied and safe sports environment for everyone.

"I encourage sports clubs and bodies to adopt these guidelines to ensure that trans- and gender-specific inclusion in their sport is proactive and that everyone is supported in his or her participation in their clubs, regardless of gender or gender identity."

The guidelines can be found at: www.sportaus.gov.au/transgenderieer19459003]

First published on the Sport Australia website.