What percentage of Australians do you reckon play team sports? Maybe think about what portion of your office or friends outside of Ultimate (if you still have those) play or have played. We’re a sporting nation so must be pretty high right?
Now what if I told you that only 6% of the 3ish million LGBTQIA+ Australians out there play team sports. 94% of 3 million plus, simply don’t feel welcome or safe. The rest don’t feel safe or welcome.
And fair enough too. 80% of Australians have experienced or witnessed homophobia in sport. A survey by Pride Cup found that more than half of men from non-Pride Cup clubs were the target of homophobic slurs in the past year. Nearly three quarters of young lesbians are partially or completely in the closet when playing team sports because of fear of discrimation or abuse.
And this is just in a sporting environment, a place where you’re meant to find fulfillment, support a healthy body and mind, and have fun! It’s just the tip of the iceberg for many young queer kids who are likely experiencing other mental health challenges, discimination or worse elsewhere in their lives.
I’m gay and I’ve been very lucky to experience very little homophobia and to be largely embraced and supported by the Ultimate community. But these stats show that I’m the exception, not the rule.
This story in particular has always stuck with me - and warning, it contains discussion of suicide. A decades long battle with sexuality and sport and an example of how sport can both be a lifeline for young gay kids and a noose that hangs around your neck.
This reality and the opportunity to change things is why Ellipsis Ultimate hosted a Pride Cup Summer Series Game last weekend in Melbourne. Standing on the shoulders of giants like Corey Alexander, who has been advocating for LGBTQIA+ inclusion and hosting community-shifting Pride events for years and years, we ran a showcase game and a club-wide inclusion session.
We discussed the differences between sex, gender and sexuality and how romantic and sexual attraction can differ (I love using The Genderbread Person as a quick way to visualise these concepts).
We talked about terms that many in the LGBTQIA+ community know well but are less understood more broadly - do you know what cissexism is? What about aro or ace? There’s a great database of terms here.
And we talked about ways that the club can be more inclusive, from thinking more about pronouns and questions on forms, to calling out homophobia and moving away from gendered language.
We came away with some concrete actions to take and got lots of feedback that people would love to do it with more clubs around Victoria - so watch this space for a potential Victorian Pride Cup later in the year (if you’re reading this from another Vic club, please reach out/I’ll be in touch!).
And if you’re thinking, well this all sounds great Max, but what can I do? Well easy - run one yourself!
There’s a free online course you can take to help equip you with the information and skills you need to run a session like this and Pride Cup has heaps of amazing resources. There’s also heaps of info about creating a more inclusive club if you want to start making changes wherever you play. I’m always happy to chat through any concerns or questions you have.
I love doing stuff like this but it’s worth remembering that LGBTQIA+ people often bear the weight of organising these events and don’t always feel safe or comfortable sharing their stories or being out and proud, for all those reasons I mentioned at the start. So make sure you’re working with the LGBTQIA+ community members you do have in the club to make it a great event that includes everyone, gay or straight.
And, of course, remember to have fun! Pride is a celebration with a purpose, but its still a celebration and a fabulous one at that.
Anyway, happy Mardi Gras to those who celebrate and may your club/team become a rainbow beacon for all athletes across the LGBTQIA+ spectrum.