LGBTQ+
Maitland Touch is committed to providing a safe, fun and inclusive environment for all people, including those of diverse sexualities and genders. Being inclusive not only reflects our core values but reflects the diversity of our community.
Maitland Touch Association has zero-tolerance for anyone that shows or displays of homophobic/transphobic/biphobic/interphobic specific bullying, harassment and/or vilification within the sport be that on or off the track.
Maitland Touch is passionate about helping people lead happy, healthy and active lives while celebrating diversity of sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, intersex status, ability, skill, cultural background, ethnicity, location, religious or political beliefs and life stage. There is a place in sport for everyone, exactly as you are.
WHY IS LGBTQ+ INCLUSION IMPORTANT
The LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer/Questioning) community make up an estimated 11% of Australia’s population but research shows LGBTQ+ 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
- 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 LGBTQ+ 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.
PRIDE IN SPORT
Touch Football Australia (TFA) is a member of the Australian Pride in Sport program, committing to further develop and enhance the inclusion of LGBTIQ participation in the sport of touch football.
Run by ACON, Pride in Sport is Australia’s first and only sexuality and gender diverse sporting inclusion program. It is specifically designed to assist National and State sporting organisations and clubs with the inclusion of LGBTIQ employees, players, coaches, volunteers and spectators.
Being a Pride in Sport member means changing practices and working towards a more inclusive, safe and healthy sporting environment for people with diverse sexualities and genders.
Jamie O’Connor, CEO of TFA, is excited about the opportunity that Pride in Sport will provide when helping promote positive messages and examples around LGBTIQ inclusion.
“Touch Football Australia is pleased to have partnered with Pride in Sport,” said O’Connor.
“It’s part of TFA’s strategy to make Touch Football a completely inclusive sport that everyone feels welcome to play. We aim to provide a place on the field for everyone, so Pride in Sport’s values really align with those of our sport.”
An initiative of the Australian Human Rights Commission and Sport Australia, the Pride in Sport Index is the first and only bench-marking instrument specifically designed to assess the inclusion of LGBTIQ+ people within Australian sport and sporting organisations.
Participating in the index allows Australian sporting organisations to not only assess their own practices, but determine that which constitutes good practice, along with the ability to benchmark their own initiatives against an external measure and other sporting organisations.
SUPPORT
If you would like to reach out to our team, to seek more information, please contact:
Karen Davies (she/her)
ALLY Ambassador
Administrator / Referee
admin@maitlandtouch.com.au
Shelly Rush-Nichols (she/her)
ALLY Ambassador
President / Coach / Player
shelly@maitlandtouch.com.au
In addition, if you are seeking support from external organisations in the space of LGBTQ inclusion, we encourage you to reach out to:
Pride in Sport
info@prideinsport.com.au
www.prideinsport.com.au
ACON Hunter
129 Maitland Road Islington 2296
Office Hours:
9am-5pm Monday, Wednesday and Friday
9am-6pm Tuesday, Thursday
Tel: 02 4962 7700
Freecall: 1800 063 060
Email: hunter@acon.org.au
www.acon.org.au
MORE INFORMATION
- LGBTIQ+ Language Guide
- LGBTIQ+ Days of Significance
- LGBTIQ+ Inclusion Governance by Sport
- Australian LGBTIQ Sports Club Directory
Other Inclusion & Diversity Pages