Page 990 - Week 03 - Thursday, 10 April 2014
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Transgender athletes face a number of issues in relation to participation in sport. It is fair to say that their issues have been inappropriately swept up with homophobia. This has certainly created misunderstandings in regard to issues of gender identity and sexuality. It also creates confusion in regard to the issues faced specifically by transgender people in a sport setting. Very limited research has been obtained on the experiences of transgender people in sport, partly because the population is difficult to access and it is small—although, as this survey data is indicating, as a group they are gaining confidence and increasing in numbers.
Most individual and team sports have, of course, been traditionally organised and structured according to sex or gender—for example, separate competitions for girls and boys, women and men, which clearly represents significant difficulties for transgender people in regard to access to sport. When they do access sport they encounter general ignorance and prejudice. Experiences of discrimination in a sport setting are not uncommon for transgender people and a lack of policies in relation to the participation of transgender and intersex athletes in sport exists.
As part of the inclusive sport project, a range of resources will be developed, based on the needs identified in the research. For example, the member protection policy guide will assist sports to successfully understand, develop, implement and promote a member protection policy. This important resource will be published in the middle of this year.
Another resource that has been developed is the play-by-the-rules kit. Sports can borrow the kit to develop a play-by-the-rules match, round or tournament and in doing so promote their website and their commitment to being inclusive, safe and fair. Canberra United was the first team to use this resource when they conducted a play-by-the-rules match in January. The players wore rainbow socks during the match to demonstrate that football strives to be inclusive and welcoming to celebrate sexuality and gender identity in our community.
Sport and Recreation Services will continue to work with state and ACT-linked professional sporting organisations to address barriers to sport participation. For example, the ACT government has discussed future opportunities with the GWS Giants and the AFL to address homophobia and transphobia in sport.
We are working closely with the national play-by-the-rules manager to ensure that work done locally complements national work. In the time remaining, I would particularly like to acknowledge the work of Lauren Jackson and David Pocock, locally based athletes with a national profile who are participating in this local and national campaign. They are fantastic allies for this cause.
MR RATTENBURY (Molonglo) (4.12): It is timely that today’s matter of public importance relates to the issue of homophobia and transphobia in sport in the ACT, coming as it does with the announcement yesterday of a major campaign targeted at this area, which other members have referred to. The “you can play” campaign is a national anti-homophobia initiative coordinated by play by the rules, a national program that promotes safe, fair and inclusive sport. Yesterday representatives from
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