Transgender in sports inclusion often starts an interesting debate on who can compete and what is seen to be fair. This may be a consideration, but how about local sport and activity for all? Including all people and having open access for all is a fundamental right, whoever you are or want to be.
The fairest solutions I have seen so far in this world has been the support from a team when their teammate is transitioning. I have watched first-hand the common sense that prevails when this is the case. Teams have each other’s backs and will go the extra mile to ensure a solution is found that suits all parties.
How about if you are transitioning in a solo sport or activity? How does that look in this brave new world?
Let’s take swimming – you have swum all your life in the local pool – it helps ease your mind, keeps you fit, and allows you some space. What if you are taking the plunge into the world of transitioning, wearing a different suit or between hormone treatments or surgery? Where do you fit in the world of swimming? Let’s think about the barriers for you now to take your weekly exercise. You must encounter reception staff to check-in. You have to consider your own needs for changing and the needs of the other swimmers. How do you handle this? Where do the reception staff send you to change? Some pools have mixed areas, some have accessible areas, and some have not considered how you feel when you are sent to a dedicated space for disabled people even though you do not have an impairment. All before you have even touched the water. Next comes the tough part, entering the water as a *cis woman is very exposing never mind as a transman or transwoman. Are the other swimmers aware of your needs, your worries, and your feelings?
I am a cis woman and often feel vulnerable in my local pool's mixed environment, I take a deep breath to walk past different groups in the changing rooms and pool area. How much would it help me if there were some guidelines on conduct and considering the needs of others? What if there were signs up and discussions with pool users on the use of the facilities, and how to be a welcoming environment for all groups of people? We think this is what happens but I’m not so sure I see it.
This is just one sporting environment. Think about all the other environments and all the barriers that are being faced before a transgender person sets foot in the class, the game, and the activity. What can you change to be more inclusive?
Whilst I understand the complexities around meeting the different needs of cis women, women of diverse cultural backgrounds and transgender women and how hard this might be. Let’s start with kindness and proactiveness to find solutions. I recently delivered training to a swimming provider with my transwoman friend Holly, and it opened my eyes to the world of discrimination faced by transwomen. We pride ourselves in sport of being open, friendly, and accessible. I challenge you all to consider how to be a trans-friendly place and allow real inclusion to occur in your space.
If you are after some training for your staff, your club, or your space, let me know. This is the next step in inclusion.
*CIS - a cisgender woman is a person whose gender identity corresponds with the female sex designation they were assigned at birth.
Senior Consultant
Click Here to find out more about Jo!