Wallsend Touch Association

Wallsend Touch Association

LGBTQ+

People of diverse sexualities and genders are welcome at our club.

Our Position

Wallsend 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.

Wallsend 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 field.

Wallsend 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 LGBTQ+ 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 LGBTQ+ 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 LGBTQ+ 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.”


Picture: Touch Football Australia’s CEO (Jamie O’Connor) and President (Anita Hagarty) marching on behalf of the entire touch football community in the 2020 Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras.

Internal Support

If you would like to reach out to our club for a confidential conversation, or to seek more information on how we can support you, please contact our Ambassadors and Allies.

 

Ambassadors & Club Allies

 

External Support

If you are seeking support from external organisations in the space of LGBTQ+ inclusion, we encourage you to reach out to:

 

Pride in Sport

Pride in Sport is a national not-for-profit sporting inclusion program specifically designed to assist sporting organisations of all levels with the inclusion of employees, athletes, coaches, volunteers and spectators with diverse sexualities and genders. The world-first Pride in Sport Index (PSI) benchmarks and assesses the inclusion of LGBTQ people across all sporting contexts.

info@prideinsport.com.au
www.prideinsport.com.au

 

ACON Hunter

ACON is the largest LGBTQ health organisation, focusing on inclusion, diversity, health and wellbeing, HIV prevention and support services. An important part of ACON’s mission is to help make the places where our community members live, work, study and play more inclusive of LGBTQ people, improving the mental health and wellbeing of our community through the reduction of stigma, discrimination and social exclusion.

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
hunter@acon.org.au
www.acon.org.au

 

QLife

QLife provides anonymous and free LGBTI peer support and referral for people in Australia wanting to talk about sexuality, identity, gender, bodies, feelings or relationships. The QLife family includes hundreds of highly experienced LGBTIQ+ staff and volunteers Australia-wide. If you’re looking to connect with someone to explore what’s going on in your life, we’re here to take your call or webchat.

1800 184 527

www.qlife.org.au