No matter what role they play in sport, everyone deserves to have a safe and inclusive space where they feel comfortable being their authentic self.
To help create that welcoming atmosphere and ensure that everyone has a positive sport experience, athletes, coaches, parents, volunteers and sport organizations are encouraged to use gender inclusive and affirming language.
That applies not only to in-person interactions, but to other forms of communication as well.
If you’re not sure where to start, check out these resources and coach workshops that can help guide you.
Identities & Terms: An Intro to Language
OUTSaskatoon has created a booklet and a general list of terms related to the 2SLGBTQ+ community that reflect its vastness and diversity.
This website share tips on how to use gender inclusive language, such as changing from “Let’s go, boys!” or “Let’s go, girls!” to “Let’s go, team!”. It also has suggestions on how to invite people to share their personal pronouns, what to do if you make a mistake and mispronoun someone and more.
The You Can Play project works to ensure the safety and inclusion for all who participate in sports and have created a series of workshops to assist in achieving that goal. The workshops include: Allyship 101, Inclusive Coaching, LGBTQ+ 101 Microcourse, LGBTQIA+ Ambassador Training and Tolerance in Sport 101.
This training is free to anyone registered with the Coaching Association of Canada and is designed to help everyone in sport identify and prevent situations of maltreatment. The training includes intersections of safe sport with LGBTQI2S+ inclusion.