LGBTQ Australians make up approximately 11% of the population and represent a significant proportion of your local community.
Many LGBTQ Australians don’t feel safe or supported in sport. This causes some athletes (or parents) to leave the sport prematurely. The Out on the Fields study* found that 73% of people believe it is not safe for LGB people to come out in youth sport environments.
| L | Lesbian - a female who is primarily attracted to, emotionally and sexually to females |
| G | Gay - a male who is primarily attracted to, emotionally and sexually to males |
| B | Bisexual – a person who is romantically and sexually attracted to more than one gender |
| T | Transgender – is an umbrella term used to describe someone who does not identify as their assigned gender at birth |
| I | Intersex - Intersex people are born with physical, hormonal or genetic features that are neither wholly female, nor wholly male; or a combination of female and male. They have a difference of body. Little Athletics Australia has removed the use of the “I” from the acronym for athletes and in affirmation and support of the Darlington Statement For more information Intersex Human Rights Australia |
| Q | Queer and Questioning – Queer is a term reclaimed by the LGBTQA+ community to represent their wider community and identity. Queer is an umbrella term used to mean anyone who is same gender attracted or gender diverse. Questioning is a person who is currently exploring their own sexuality |
| A | Asexual - someone who shares no or limited sexual attraction to others, however may still engage with romantic interests |
| + | Non gender conforming – Non binary person who does not conform to the idea of gender being either male or female. Can also refer to pansexual who is someone who is attracted to all gender identities |
| Date | Name | Briefing | More information |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17 May | IDAHOBIT – International day against LGBTQIA+ discrimination | International Day Against LGBTQIA+ discrimination celebrates LGBTQIA+ people globally, and raises awareness for the work still needed to combat discrimination. The date is significant as on May 17, 1990 - the World Health Organization removed homosexuality from the Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems. | https://www.idahobit.org.au/ IDAHOBIT |
| Last Friday in August | Wear it purple day | Wear It Purple is a youth led, volunteer organization. Wear It Purple strives to foster supportive, safe, empowering and inclusive environments for rainbow young people. | https://www.wearitpurple.org/ Wear It Purple |
Pronouns are terms used by everyone. Commonly used gendered pronouns are She/Her and He/Him. A person that identifies as Transgender or Gender Diverse may prefer gender neutral pronouns such as They/Them or their name. Using someone’s chosen pronoun is an easy way to demonstrate respect and inclusion. Minus 18 has created this great video to explain pronouns more.
It’s best to apologise and move on.
The Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission says that "Trans and gender diverse people should be able to use the toilets, change rooms and facilities appropriate to their identified gender. If someone raises concerns about this, you should explain that allowing a trans or gender diverse person to use the facilities appropriate to their gender shouldn’t affect other people. Not allowing a trans or gender diverse person to do so may be distressing for them and potentially unlawful. It is generally inappropriate to request that trans and gender diverse people use accessible toilets, although some may prefer to do so".
Everyone deserves to feel connected and welcome. Inclusion can be life changing for a person. The benefits of inclusion in athletics to the LGBTQA+ athlete are the same as for any child;
The business case for diversity and inclusion is compelling. Positioning your Centre as a leader in inclusion will:
Respect and understanding grow when people of diverse backgrounds socialise and learn together and Little Athletics can foster this community. The outcome for the community can be;
Australian Human Rights Commission – Guidelines for the inclusion of transgender and gender diverse people in sport (2019) - https://humanrights.gov.au/our-work/lgbti
Darlington Statement - https://darlington.org.au/
Doull et al (2016) Are we leveling the playing field? Trends and disparities in sports participation among sexual minority youth in Canada. Journal of Sport and Health Science. Vol 7, Issue 2, April 2018, pages 218-226. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2095254616300916?via%3Dihub
IDAHOBIT International day against LGBTQIA+ discrimination - https://www.idahobit.org.au/
Intersex Human Rights Australia https://ihra.org.au/
LGBTIQ Inclusive Language Guide - https://www.vic.gov.au/inclusive-language-guide
Minus18 - https://www.minus18.org.au/
Out on the Fields Study - https://outonthefields.com/
Pride Cup - https://pridecup.org.au/
Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission - Trans and Gender Diverse Inclusion in Sport - https://www.humanrights.vic.gov.au/
Wear It Purple - https://www.wearitpurple.org/
Coles Little Athletics Australia acknowledges and pays respect to all traditional custodians of the lands of which we work, run, jump and throw throughout Australia. We pay respect to elders both past, present and emerging.
We are committed to a positive future for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and to honor their ongoing cultural and spiritual connections to this country and recognize the role and value of culture.
