Canadian Journal for Women in Coaching – April Edition: Transgender and non-binary athlete needs: Challenges and best practices

How best to include transgender and non-binary athletes in sport, fairly and equitably, has long been clouded in confusion at best and aversion at worst. In the years since the “issue” first emerged, little has changed even though our world is generally more tolerant in many spheres of human activity. Indeed, research into transgender and non-binary inclusion in sport remains in its infancy, compounding the resultant polarization.

Not helpful is the myriad of myths which bedevil any discussion, from understanding something as basic as the terminology around gender identity to close-mindedness about the very real issues transgender and non-binary athletes face day in and day out, often with negative consequences in terms of mental health challenges and coping with the denial of inclusion and equal opportunity to participate in something as basic a human right as sport.

By presenting guidelines, suggested by trans and non-binary athletes themselves, authors Amelie
Keyser-Verreault and Guylaine Demers, both of whom are experts in gender equality in sport, hope that Canadian sport leaders, and especially coaches will be inspired to become agents of inclusion. And what a difference that will make to many people currently struggling to find their rightful place in our
sport system. – Sheila Robertson, Journal Editor.

Read the full article: Transgender and non-binary athlete needs: Challenges and best practices