Sport Australia has launched new guidelines for the inclusion of transgender and gender diverse people in sport.
Developed by the Australian Human Rights Commission with Sport Australia and the Coalition of Major Professional and Participation Sports (COMPPS), the national Guidelines for the Inclusion of Transgender and Gender Diverse People in Sport encourage all Australians to “stand for inclusivity”.
Chief Executive of Sport Australia, Kate Palmer said the simplest approach was to “put people first”.
“Sport must be safe and inclusive for all because every Australian has the fundamental right to enjoy the wonderful benefits of sport and physical activity,” Ms Palmer said.
“Research tells us gender diverse people, particularly young people, want to engage more in sport and physical activity but often face or fear peer rejection.”
She said it took strong, proactive leadership to stand up against behaviour that led to discrimination in sport.
“It’s not just up to our sport leaders,” she said.
“Every single person involved in Australian sport can play an important part in being more inclusive.”
Sex Discrimination Commissioner, Kate Jenkins said the Australian Human Rights Commission consulted with a broad range of sporting stakeholders, including transgender and gender diverse participants across a variety of sports and competition levels, to develop the guidelines.
“Unfortunately transgender and gender diverse people are sometimes excluded from sport or experience discrimination and sexual harassment when they do participate,” Ms Jenkins said.
“While some reported positive experiences of inclusion, others described how they had been excluded from the sports they loved because of their sex or gender identity.”
Spokesperson for COMPPS, Craig Tiley said that while he was proud to be involved in the development of the guidelines “they are just words on pages until we, as sport leaders, implement them and bring them to life”.
The new 51-page guidelines can be accessed at this PS News link.
