Breaking down barriers together: Materials for gender and sexual diversity in sport
The aim of the 2.5-year project was to raise awareness and develop measures for gender and sexual diversity in popular sport. LGBTIQ+ people often experience exclusion, hatred and discrimination in sport, which prevents or prevents them from participating in sport.
But regardless of whether they are male, female, trans, inter or non-binary, lesbian, gay or queer: everyone has the right to take part in sport. Sport must offer a safe and open environment for people in all their diversity.
Even after the end of the project, the many resources and reports will be available to all interested parties, and fairplay-VIDC will remain a point of contact for various topics relating to gender and sexual diversity in sport.
Contact: fairplay [AT] vidc [DOT] org
(Contact person: Nikola Staritz)
Barriers in sport
Homosexuality is taboo and rejected in many sports. Competitions, teams and sports facilities are often organized in a binary gender system - men and women - which makes access difficult for trans, intersex and non-binary athletes (TIN). These structures of the sports system need to be questioned and we need to think together about how they can be opened up to everyone. Clubs and sports organizations have a responsibility and an opportunity to create a safe and appreciative space for everyone.
Let's take the first steps together
Implementing gender diversity and acceptance for all sexual orientations in everyday sport presents us with challenges for which we are looking for solutions together. These can look very different and it is clear that we cannot change everything overnight. But we can address the issue openly in order to break down barriers at the various levels of sport.
List of measures, reports & resources
Training & workshops: Raising awareness
fairplay offers workshops for children and young people and training courses for sports clubs, including on the topics of gender diversity and homophobia in sport. LINK
fairplay FACTSHEET “Gender & sexual diversity in sport” (fairplaySGS project, Vienna 2024)
This factsheet creates an initial awareness of the situation of LGBTIQ+ people in sport. The factsheet clarifies the most important terms in the area of gender and sexual diversity, why the exclusion of people is discrimination and why sport needs to take action. LINK
Guidelines for action: (M)A club for everyone!
These guidelines, including a checklist, are intended to support clubs and associations in the popular sports sector in breaking down exclusions and barriers and opening up to people of all gender and sexual identities. A club or association that considers and welcomes all people is a great asset. LINK
Working group “Gender and sexual diversity in sport”: Exchange and knowledge building between sports organizations
In the working group, sports stakeholders exchange views on the topic, knowledge is built up through input and the needs of (organized) grassroots sport are identified. Ultimately, the aim is to start a dialogue and support sports organizations in finding inclusive solutions for gender and sexual diversity in their own organizations. LINK
HANDBOOK - For inclusive grassroots sport (EGLSF & fairplay/SGS project, Vienna 2024)
This handbook on inclusive sport is a summary and documentation of the main findings and results of the Erasmus+ project Sport for all genders and sexualities (SGS). LINK
STUDY REPORT: Research findings on the situation of women and LGBT+ people in European grassroots sport (German Sport University Cologne/SGS project, Vienna/Cologne 2023)
The aim of the research was to identify the gender norms and stereotypes prevalent in organized sport and to understand their impact on experiences of discrimination and the exclusion of girls, women and LGBT+ people in grassroots sport. LINK Download the full report: LINK
Campaign “Rising Together - open your sport to all”
The Rising Together campaign offers templates that sports organizations can use to show signs of openness & tolerance. LINK A testimonial campaign aims to create visibility for TIN athletes: Role models are important - not least for young people. LINK
GOOD PRACTICE REPORT: European good practice examples for gender and sexual diversity in sport (fairplay/SGS project, Malaga/Vienna 2022, English)
Learn more about 16 good practice examples from European grassroots sport for the inclusion of trans*, inter* and non-binary athletes. Because “Change starts from your pitch!” LINK
All project information
https://www.fairplay.or.at/projekte/sport-for-all-genders-and-sexualities
