Pride in Diving

Our Position Statement

Diving NSW is committed to providing a safe, fun and inclusive environment for all people, including those of diverse sexualities and genders. Being an inclusive sport not only reflects our core values, it also reflects the diversity of our NSW communities.

We have a zero-tolerance to any form of bullying, harassment or vilification towards people with diverse sexualities and genders. This includes forms of homophobia, biphobia or transphobia.

We’re passionate about helping people lead happy, healthy and active lives.

Diving NSW celebrates 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?

People with diverse sexualities and genders make up an estimated 15% of the population but research shows they 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 also shows that:

• 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.
• 37.1% LGBT people aged 16 and over reported being diagnosed or treated for any mental 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 LGBTQ+ people miss out on the physical, mental and social benefits that participating in sport and physical activity can bring.

Diving NSW has an amazing opportunity to not only increase membership opportunities, but also improve these statistics.

Pride in Sport

Diving NSW is a Principal Partner Member of Pride in Sport Australia.

Pride in Sport is a sporting inclusion program, developed by ACON Health (Australia’s largest LGBTQ+ health organisation), that is specifically designed to assist sporting organisations at all levels with the inclusion of employees, players, coaches, volunteers and spectators with diverse sexualities and genders.

Through a solidified partnership with Sport Australia and the Australian Human Rights Commission, Pride in Sport is empowered to support and drive sports in Australia across LGBTQ+ areas of inclusion, mental health and wellbeing including areas such as:

• strategic planning,
• policy and governance development,
• visibility practices,
• community engagement initiatives,
• education and training,
• as well as research

MORE INFORMATION AND RESOURCES

• Australian Humans Rights Commission/Sport Australia’s Guidelines for the Inclusion of Trans and Gender Diverse People in Sport
• LGBTQ+ Language Guide
• LGBTQ+ Days of Significance
• LGBTQ+ Inclusion Governance by Sport
• Intersex Inclusion in Sport & the Darlington Statement
• TransHub: A platform for all trans & gender diverse people, their loved ones and allies

Contact Us

Please don't hesitate to contact our CEO, Gillian Brooker, for more details on our inclusion efforts, or to find out how you can get involved. If you identify as LGBTQIA+ feel free to get in contact with Gillian to confidentially discuss any concerns, you may have regarding your participation or your experiences in diving.

Gillian Brooker

she/her/hers

P 02 49339935 M 0417637315

Gillian is a Pride in Sport LGBTQ+ Ally