Can you tell us a little about yourself?

I am a transgender woman who is a single parent and originally from the USA. I have lived here for over 20 years and transitioned 9+ years ago. In that time, I have become a public speaker and Diversity and Inclusion practitioner, raising awareness of LGBTIQ+ inclusion in the workplace as well as the community and in sport.

Have your experiences been positive?

I found the co-ed space was very inclusive and I was starting to get more involved; then COVID happened, and it has been hard to get back into that space. I have often considered trying other sports like tennis, but with the current conversations happening I have taken a cautious approach to getting back into the sporting space. I have spoken to other transgender women who have even considered competing in men’s spaces just to avoid the backlash. Waking up each morning and reading more and more about bans on transgender women specifically and how we are not allowed or wanted makes it harder to want to be in the sport space.

How important is inclusion when it comes to community sport?

Sport first off is great for us to move our body and improve our health. But also, from a social point of view and being around other people and developing a community. Teaching us teamwork and boosting our self-esteem. Excluding people who aren’t like us, including all populations across race, culture, gender, sexual orientation, religion, and disability tells others we don’t want them around and you don’t belong in our community. At a community level it is even more important in how it flows into their families as well, teaching parents and families to be more accepting of differences in society.

How can someone be a good ally in sport?

Standing up for negativity and highlighting when false material or ideas are being presented. Being the voice to call out microaggressions and not being afraid to speak up overall. Remind yourself of your club/team codes and remind your team the values you would have been founded on. Get comfortable being uncomfortable.

How important is awareness, education and knowledge around diversity? What can individuals and organisations do to help spread these messages?

Many people do not know what they do not know. They base their beliefs and judgments on people who are different from what they see on television, from family or friends who have deep rooted negative beliefs, or what they read in the media. Not often do they have the opportunity to meet someone who might be different from them because they aren’t comfortable engaging outside their own circles. Bring in people with lived experience to educate and connect with people who are different. Bringing in educators to talk about different groups and share their lived experience can help bring down the guard of others and start what is often a long overdue conversation to including people we often wouldn’t meet on the street.