Hey everyone. I hope you’re all doing well. A couple of weeks ago I attended a two day conference on ‘The Inclusion of LGBTQIA+ Individuals in Sport’. I have now compiled the information shared by the panellists and have started to relate this to orienteering. The first thing to mention is that the onus of making sporting communities more inclusive of LGBTQIA+ people should be on the communities themselves. Instead of waiting for LGBTQIA+ people to become openly visible before their needs are considered, communities such as ours should actively create an inclusive environment so that LGBTQIA+ people feel welcome enough to come along in the first place. It is essential that orienteers create an environment in which everyone’s rights, dignity and individual worth are respected, and in particular that they are able to enjoy the sport without the threat of intimidation, victimisation or harassment.
Important terms to clarify
LGBTQIA+: A common abbreviation for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Pansexual, Transgender, Genderqueer, Queer, Intersex, Agender, Asexual and other queer-identifying community.
Sex: A medical term designating a certain combination of gonads, chromosomes, external gender organs, secondary sex characteristics and hormonal balances. Because usually subdivided into ‘male’ and ‘female’, this category does not recognise the existence of intersex bodies.
Gender: A social construct used to classify a person as a woman, man, or another identity. Fundamentally different from the sex one is assigned at birth.
Cisgender: Describes someone who feels comfortable with the gender identity and gender expression expectations assigned to them based on their physical sex.
Ally: Someone who confronts heterosexism, homophobia, biphobia, transphobia, heterosexual and genderstraight privilege in themselves and others; has a concern for the well-being of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and intersex people; and a belief that heterosexism, homophobia, biphobia and transphobia are social justice issues.
Heterosexual Privilege: Those benefits derived automatically by being heterosexual that are denied to homosexuals and bisexuals. Also, the benefits homosexuals and bisexuals receive as a result of claiming heterosexual identity or denying homosexual or bisexual identity.
Equality vs Equity: Equality involves everyone receiving exactly the same treatment, whereas equity requires fair treatment according to each person’s needs and situation.
Non-binary: An umbrella term for people whose gender identity doesn’t sit comfortably with ‘man’ or ‘woman’. Non-binary identities are varied and can include people who identify with some aspects of binary identities, while others reject them entirely.
Pronouns: Linguistic tools used to refer to someone in the third person. Examples are she/her/hers, he/him/his, they/them/theirs, ze/hir/hirs (pronouns often used in the trans community instead of “he/she” or “him/her.”) See the LGBTQIA+ Resource Centre Glossary for the complete list of terms. Available at: https://lgbtqia.ucdavis.edu/educated/glossary
Non-binary inclusion in orienteering
Orienteering is a very gendered activity (like many sports) where female and male categories are regulated and enforced. However, there are more non-binary people than is often realised: it’s just that they are forced into male or female categories. It’s important that people who identify as non-binary (neither male nor female) are not seen as a problem in orienteering. How can people who do not identify as male or female be included in orienteering? Non-binary can include people who have undergone medical treatments and procedures to change their body to fit their non-binary identity, as well as those who choose not to do this, or are unable to access these. It can also include: people who are androgynous; third gendered; intersex (people born with variations in sex characteristics); and those who have a mixed gender identity, or move between two or more genders, such as people who are gender fluid, or people who have no gender identity (such as people who are agender).
Introducing a non-binary gender category
A third, non-binary gender category could be introduced into orienteering competitions, to enable non-binary athletes to compete in their own gender category. Some sports organisations, such as Scottish Athletics and Edinburgh Frontrunners have already taken up this approach. However, just adding a non-binary category does not actually address the issue of gender segregation in sports, and it does not alter the different eligibility rules that currently apply to female and male sports categories. The effect can be that people who do not meet the testosterone rules for women’s and men’s sports, could be placed into the non-binary category, even if they do not identify as such. This could mean that some people (in this case, some women and men) may be forced to compete in a gender category they do not identify with, even though avoiding this is the whole reason for the existence of the non-binary category in the first place.In the meantime however, it is encouraged that orienteering introduces a third non-gendered category in all competitions and events. Looking into the future it is suggested that we could reconsider the need for gendered categories all together, and what sports competitions should be about in the first place – for example, celebrating exceptional characteristics and performances, and valuing qualities such as determination, consistency, and enjoyment instead of focusing on only celebrating men’s and women’s fastest times.
Rules regarding testosterone
Because of the many different rules about testosterone in sports, it can be very difficult for non-binary people to compete, even when they are willing to compete in either the female or male category. The rules are not only very complicated and confusing, but they also mean that to compete in sports, non-binary athletes may be required to disclose to their coaches and competition organisers sensitive and private medical information. These issues can also impact on non-binary people’s willingness to compete at lower-level sports competitions, because anticipating scrutiny around testosterone can influence the choice to stop competing before reaching higher levels, or limit motivation to compete in the first place. Orienteers need to think what we can do about this.
Inclusive spaces
If there’s an event with binary changing rooms, can we create additional safe spaces where everyone feels comfortable to change? It is recommended that sports events should have gender-neutral, single occupancy changing rooms that are accessible to everyone, can be locked for privacy, and a toilet incorporated into each room. These rooms could be made accessible for disabled people as well, thus removing the need for separate accessible facilities. In addition to facilitating non-binary and disabled people’s inclusion, these changing rooms would enhance the body privacy of all facility users, irrespective of the reasons why privacy may be desired. At most orienteering events, toilets or portaloos are usually mixed, lockable and single occupancy which is encouraging, although changing facilities are usually limited to ‘mixed’ tents. Removing or covering as many gendered doors where present at an event would be a positive step, and taking actions could not only help make sport more inclusive for non-binary people, but also for trans people and other individuals in the LGBTQIA+ community.
Amending the gendered structure of relay teams
Are the reasons for gendering of relay teams in orienteering good enough to really justify it? Can we alter the wording of our relay teams to be more inclusive of non-binary people? As an example from the conference, where there are men’s and women’s teams, it is better to say ‘People who run for the Men’s Team’ and ‘People who run for the Women’s Team’. This subtle distinction would open up binary teams to be more inclusive of non-binary and other gender-diverse people within orienteering.
Gender pronouns
It is important not to assume someone’s gender identity, especially by how they look, or the name they use. Don’t be afraid to ask what pronouns someone uses if you’re unsure. People can then have the choice to tell you more about how they identify. Having said this, people don’t have to tell you their gender identity, so it’s important to respect their decision and their privacy. It is encouraged that pronouns are added to orienteering event registration and membership documents, as well as email sign-offs, social media and website profiles.
Registration and membership
Registration for all orienteering events and EUOC local club, SOA, and BOF membership should ask ‘what gender do you describe yourself as?’ and for pronouns as mentioned above. It is important to put a ‘prefer not to say option’ in place too.
Coaching
LGBTQIA+ athletes aren’t always visible, but they are there. Every coach is likely to have had or will have an LGBTQIA+ athlete under their guidance. Inclusion is about showing that LGBTQIA+ athletes are accepted in orienteering through intentional and inclusive behaviours. Coaches and leaders in orienteering must work to create environments that fulfil the basic psychological needs of LGBTQIA+ athletes that will help encourage them enjoy the sport. Providing LGBTQIA+ education to coaches to advise them on inclusive practices, use of gender-neutral language and how to address gender discrimination is a good place to start. Diversity training should also include ways for coaches and leaders to deal with the kinds of issues that LGBTQIA+ athletes face and learning to identify discriminatory behaviour to openly discourage it. Orienteering would be a more enjoyable environment for everyone if coaches were trained in LGBTQIA+ sensitivity and awareness and knew how to support all their athletes.
The language used by athletes and coaches
Although I have briefly already mentioned this in a previous post, it is worth reinforcing how our impactful our language is. Unfortunately for some, months or years of thinking they’re in a socially inclusive environment such as EUOC can be ruined by a single comment or a moment of ill-chosen humour. As EUOC members, one of the easiest ways to prevent a damaging situation is to be resolute in our stance on discrimination and to lead by example. Always think before you speak and try to speak up when you hear someone say something discriminatory – as the saying goes, ‘silence is violence’. It is also encouraged that anyone who is ever at the receiving end of a harmful joke or has been offended by the language of another person in the orienteering community to report it to EUOC’s committee. We do not tolerate any form of hate or discrimination within the club.
Representation
Sporting communities such as orienteering should increase LGBTQIA+ representation within governing bodies, and diverse representation in general in organisational roles, resources and promotional materials. This will allow for diverse ideas and solutions to emerge regarding planning, organising, and encouraging participation within orienteering.
Celebration and support of LGBTQIA+ orienteers
It is important to celebrate LGBTQIA+ achievements and successes within local clubs. EUOC could show their support for LGBTQIA+ individuals by taking part in Stonewall’s Rainbow Laces Campaign (November 26th to December 13th) and we could include flags of the different LGBTQIA+ communities on our website. Orienteering clubs such as ours could also donate to LGBTQIA+ charities.
Final thoughts
Overall, we need to rethink who orienteering currently caters for. We have a responsibility to provide support for people of every sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression in orienteering. LGBTQIA+ individuals should be welcomed and included in all levels of the orienteering community – from the participants to the board of directors making the decisions for the sport. Everyone’s ideas should be heard in the creation of initiatives to help shape their inclusion within orienteering settings. There is much to learn from the experiences of LGBTQIA+ people, and perhaps a survey sent out via EUOC, Scottish Orienteering or British Orienteering to collect these experiences and suggestions for the sport could be a good idea. Finally, whilst thinking about diversity and inclusion within orienteering, it’s important to not ‘forget the whole person’. Certain individuals may be the only openly LGBTQIA+ person in your home club, or age category. However, that doesn’t mean they should be solely known as the ‘LGBTQIA+ person’. Being LGBTQIA+ is only one part of their identity.
Dates coming up
• Monday 17th May 2021: International day against homophobia, transphobia and biphobia
• Monday 24th May 2021: Pansexual Visibility day
• June 2021: Pride Month
• Wednesday 14th July 2021: International non-binary people’s day
• Thursday 23th September 2021: Bi visibility day
• Friday November 26th to Monday December 13th 2021: Stonewall’s Rainbow Laces Campaign.
Further information regarding LGBTQIA+ inclusion in sport Pride sports
Pride Sports was founded in 2006 and works to challenge homophobia, biphobia and transphobia in sport and improve access to sport for LGBTQIA+ people. Their website has information on queer inclusion in sport and tips on making sports clubs more LGBTQIA+ friendly. Website: https://pridesports.org.uk/
Sport Allies
An organisation which aims to eradicate homophobia from sport. Provides resources and tips to help sports clubs become more queer friendly.Website: http://www.sportallies.org/
Thanks for reading, hope you all have a good week, always here to chat if anyone needs 