A dozen Canberra sporting associations gathered at an event on Thursday (6 April) celebrating the inclusion of transgender people in sport.

The sporting bodies heard from several speakers including Canberra, Australia, advocate and adviser on gender identity issues Peter Hyndal.

"Sport plays a huge role in building people's confidence and making them feel comfortable in their own skin, we all know that, the capacity of sport to have a very real and very positive impact, particularly in marginalised people, is well documented," explained Hyndal.

He said sporting organisations have often struggled with transgender people who want to continue playing sport after they have transitioned.

"Sports have struggled to know exactly how they can respond to it appropriately which has built a desire on their behalf to have more guidance and know what they should do.

The Australian Human Rights Commission has recently launched new participation guidelines to help organisations that may be grappling with gender issues.

“Everyone Can Play” is aimed at supporting local sporting organisations that want to be more inclusive.
The reesource provides practical guidance, information about legal rights and obligations, and addresses incorrect assumptions that can be made about transgender and intersex participants.

The implementation of the resource will include include training sessions and direct engagement with sporting organisations and schools.