LGBTIQ+
LGBTIQ+ Victorians have a right to play the sport they love in a safe space that allows them to feel heard, welcomed and valued in the basketball community.
Basketball Victoria is a signatory of the Pride Cup Australia ‘Pledge of Pride’ to demonstrate our commitment to welcoming all athletes, employees and volunteers regardless of their sexuality or gender identity.
We have worked with VicHealth, Proud2Play and Pride Cup Australia to continue to support LGBTIQ+ Victorians and their sporting ambitions.
WHY IS LGBTIQ+ INCLUSION IMPORTANT
The LGBTIQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex and Queer/Questioning) community make up an estimated 11% of Australia's population but research shows LGBTIQ+ people have some of the lowest rates of participation in sport, recreation and physical activity out of any community in society. Avoidance of participation is often linked to poor experiences in sport due to discrimination or harassment. Australian research shows that:
- Over 80% of people have either witnessed or experienced homophobia in sport.1
- 87% of gay males and 75% of lesbians are completely or partially in the closet while playing youth sports.
- Sport is considered hostile and unwelcoming to young people with diverse sexualities and genders.
- 37% of LGBTIQ+ people aged 16 and over reported being diagnosed or treated for a mental health disorder in the past three years.
- Transgender people aged 18 and over are nearly eleven times more likely to attempt suicide in their lifetime.
As a result of poor inclusion efforts, many LGBTIQ+ people miss out on the physical, mental and social benefits that participating in sport and physical activity can bring. Sport has an amazing opportunity to not only increase membership opportunities, but also improve these people's lives.
Basketball Victoria have developed the Promoting sexual and gender diversity in Basketball resource to assist association and clubs in creating welcoming and inclusive environments.
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Transgender and Gender Diverse Guidelines 2023
Basketball Victoria has collaborated with Basketball Australia to deliver the ‘Guidelines for the Inclusion of Transgender and Gender Diverse People in Basketball in Victoria’, these guidelines support participation opportunities for transgender athletes while balancing fairness, inclusion and safety, particularly for Victorian Senior Representative Leagues such as NBL1 South, Big V and CBL.
Download the 2023 Guidelines here:
{{downloads [transgender-inclusion-guidelines-2023]}}
Contact
{{business-card [sheena-atkin-lgbtqia]}}