Strategies

LGBTIQ+ communities are diverse and there are unique differences between the various groups. Participation needs may be diverse and varied.

• Understand the unique experiences and needs of your members and participants and the different barriers for each group.
• Engage with local LGBTIQ+ community groups for support and direction and co-design policies and processes that focus on creating safe and welcoming spaces and experiences.
• Develop clear policies that outline consequences for discrimination. Ensure homophobic slurs or insults (e.g. 'in jokes') are included as forms of discrimination and have the same consequences.
• Revisit common sport processes. Consider adopting non-gendered teams, ensuring formal data collection allows individuals to identify various genders, and assign neutral parent or guardian (e.g. not mother/father) categories for junior sports.
• Support staff to undertake training and education specific to LGBTIQ+ communities.
• Use different or innovative ways to attract new members, for example through social media or other digital technologies. Connect with and host initiatives like Pride Cup, opens in a new tab, to show your commitment and support for inclusivity.
• Let everyone know your organisation is committed to including LGBTIQ+ members (visible commitment and media coverage). This applies to opportunities to participate, volunteer or work in sport.
• Promote inclusive/gender neutral language using appropriate terms and pronouns.
• Increase the visibility of LGBTIQ+ athletes, coaches and staff.
• Enclose changing areas, create private spaces, showers and toilets for everyone.
• Change the signage on some of the facilities to unisex/gender neutral to provide an option for non-binary people.
• Allow flexibility with uniforms and ensure these respect an individual’s gender identity and gender expression. (All players should be able to play in a uniform in which they feel comfortable and access to appropriate sizes and body types).
• Display visible items such as flags, opens in a new tab or information to promote gender neutral language and the use of pronouns around the club.
• Trans athletes should be allowed to participate/compete on the team/category that matches their gender identity.
• Implement structures and safeguards regarding the collection and use of personal information, particularly where it relates to name and gender.
• Ensure registration questions include options to select the appropriate gender identity/category (non-binary), as well as option for preferred name and title/pronoun.
• Annually complete the Pride in Sport Index, opens in a new tab to benchmark your improvement as a club to coming safe and inclusive for the LGBTIQ+ communities.