Pride in Sport
Through sport at UWA, we endeavour to provide an inclusive and diversified space whereby all students, staff and community members can come together in a safe and respectful environment. We are committed to celebrating the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex and asexual (LGBTQIA+) community through our values to encourage and support equity, fairness and inclusiveness in all that we do.
UWA Sport celebrates diversity of sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation and intersex status. We affirm The Darlington Statement and advocate working with intersex-led organisations. We acknowledge the barriers experienced by the LGBTQIA+ community, and we are passionate about providing a safe space for everyone to lead happy, healthy and active lives.
What we are doing
- Organising LGBTQIA+ training and education opportunities for staff and the community
- Taking part in the Pride in Sport Index
- Empowering LGBTQIA+ Ambassadors and Allies
- Celebrating LGBTQIA+ Days of Significance
- Establishing partnerships with community organisations to enable participation from LGBTQIA+ communities
LGBTQIA+ Allyship in Sport Program
UWA Sport are proud to launch the LGBTQIA+ Allyship in Sport Program.
The program, led by UWA Sport's Inclusion team, aims to influence and create safe, welcoming and inclusive sporting environments for the LGBTQIA+ community. In partnership with Pride in Sport, the program will support UWA Sport affiliated clubs on their journey to improving LGBTQIA+ inclusive practices and provide training to a nominated Club Ally.
Your nominated Club Ally will act as a leader for the development and support of LGBTQIA+ inclusion within your club.
Program Benefits:
- LGBTQIA+ Awareness and Ally training provided to Club Allies delivered by Pride in Sport.
- Access to resources and support from the UWA Sport Inclusion team.
- Networking opportunities within the UWA Sport community, the greater WA sporting industry and with relevant State Sporting Organisations.
- Recognition of your club's commitment to UWA Sport's Pride Pledge.
The program is funded through the YACWA (Youth Advisory Council of WA) LGBTQIA+ Youth Empowerment Grant.
LGBTQIA+ Inclusion Ambassadors
Ian Brady (he/him)
Ian is a male elite netballer, coach and Student Athlete supporting the implementation of inclusive practices in sport at UWA. He has applied his passion for social equality in sport to removing gender-specific titles in sporting competitions and bringing diverse people together to participate in safe, welcoming and inclusive sporting environments.
Kristina Mitsikas (she/her)
Kristina is the Senior Manager - Inclusion at UWA Sport. With extensive experience working within the diversity and inclusion space across both local government and not for profit environments, Kristina is is a positive advocate for social inclusion and an active ally for people with diverse sexualities and genders. Kristina and her team play a major role in influencing our direction in Inclusion and, along with the broader UWA Sport Team, are committed to providing a safe, open and welcoming environment for everyone regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.
Kirsty Fraser (she/her)
Kirsty is a passionate advocate for LGBTQIA+ inclusion, enthusiastic about integrating diverse voices and experiences into sports programs. She believes that sport is a powerful tool for building community and should be a welcoming space for everyone. With a commitment to breaking down barriers, Kirsty’s goal is to ensure that all individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, feel seen, valued, and empowered within the world of sport.Partnerships
Pride in Sport
Pride in Sport was founded by ACON Health and is the only sporting inclusion program specifically designed to assist sporting organisations with the inclusion of the LGBTQIA+ community. UWA Sport is pleased to join the Pride in Sport program, making an ongoing commitment to the development and enhancement of the inclusion of LGBTQIA+ people in sport at UWA.
You can find out more about the Pride in Sport program here.
Welcome Here
The Welcome Here Project supports businesses and services throughout Australia to create and promote environments that are visibly welcoming and inclusive of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ) communities. Members receive the Welcome Here rainbow stickers and charter to display in a prominent place to let everyone know that LGBTIQ diversity is welcomed and celebrated within their business.You can find out more about Welcome Here here.
Support services
If you are seeking additional support in the space of LGBTQIA+ inclusion, we encourage you to reach out to:
UWA Guild Pride Department
Provides social and supportive networks for students who identify as LGBTQIA+.
UWA Ally Program
Trains allies to empower inclusivity on campus by promoting visibility and awareness of LGBTQIA+ issues.
ACON (1800 063 060)
Provides counselling and social work support to help people resolve complex or ongoing violence and harassment matters.
QLIFE (1800 184 527)
Provides anonymous and free LGBTI peer support and referral for people wanting to talk about sexuality, identity, gender, bodies, feelings or relationships
Lifeline (131 444)
Provides all Australians experiencing a personal crisis access to 24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention services.
Contact Us
For additional information or guidance regarding LGBTQIA+ inclusion in sport at UWA, including if you identify as LGBTQIA+ and have concerns associated with your participation in sport at UWA, you can confidentially contact our Inclusion Team.
LGBTQIA+ Ally
Senior Manager - Inclusion
kristina.mitsikas@sport.uwa.edu.au
+61 8 6488 2335
LGBTQIA+ Community Member and Ally
Inclusion Coordinator
zee.schorsch@sport.uwa.edu.au
+61 8 6488 3651
Resources
- Anti-Homophobia & Inclusion Framework for Australian Sport
- Guidelines for the Inclusion of Transgender and Gender Diverse People in Sport
- LGBTIQ Days of Significance
- Language & Terminology Guide
- Pride in Sport Infographic
- The Darlington Statement
- LGBTQ+ International Travel Advice
- UWA Diverse Sexualities and Genders Policy
- UWA Transgender Policy
