Supporting Trans and Non-Binary Student Athletes

Even 50 years after the passage of Title IX, it is clear that there is ample room for improvement in ensuring the equitable inclusion and upport of trans, non-binary, and gender non-conforming athletes in the US. Ten percent of students reported that school staff or coaches prevented or discouraged them from playing sports because of their LGBTQ+ identity (GLSEN’s National School Climate Survey, 2019). Meanwhile, only 3% of NCAA Division-I athletes compete in a program that fully protects their LGBTQ+ identities Athlete Ally (2019). Finally, between January 1, 2022 and March 15, 2022, a record-high of 238 anti-LGBTQ+ bills were filed across the US (NBC News, 2022). Of those 238 bills, 154 of them (about 65%) were specifically anti-trans bills. These bills sought to remove rights and policies in areas such as gender-inclusive healthcare, gender-inclusive education, and protections for trans and non-binary athletes.

In this interactive, engaging, conversational, and very informative workshop, we will examine the current state of athletics and the policies that affect trans and non-binary athletes, review gender identities and inclusive language, and brainstorm ways to make athletic programs and institutions more equitable for all genders. This workshop will discuss athletes of all ages and in various athletic settings. Time will also be set aside during the workshop to reflect on our own positionalities and actions and to address any site-specific issues or questions that educators need support with.

LEARNING GOALS

Participants will:

• Explore the inequities that trans, non-binary, and gender non-conforming athletes of all ages face in recreational sports, collegiate sports, professional sports, etc.
• Understand what changes must be made and the effect of these inequities on student athletes’ academic success, athletic performance, mental health, likelihood to continue to compete in sports, and their overall wellbeing.
• Practice using gender-neutral and inclusive language.
• Re-think certain activities, events, or policies that might be perpetuating anti-trans norms, and develop more inclusive policies, coaching practices, etc.

AUDIENCE

Coaches, PE teachers, athletic directors, administrators, counselors, athletic trainers and medical staff, after-school teachers, and anyone else who works with students/athletes of all ages.

FORMAT

This workshop will be held online via Zoom and may be recorded for CATDC's archives. By registering for this event you are consenting to be recorded and photographed by CATDC.

CANCELLATION POLICY

For our Virtual Intensives, refunds are available up to 14 days before the first session. Please contact us directly or make the request within Eventbrite.

Registration may be transferred to a different person up to 7 days before the first session. However refunds will not be given, and a session missed for any reason will not be refunded.

Please contact us by email as soon as you know you cannot attend a workshop and cannot transfer registration. This will allow us time to contact our waitlist and hopefully fill your spot.