Accessibility In Sports Facilities

[traki79]

Hi All

As a leisure centre we are actively looking at ways in which we can improve the conditions of accessibility for the Transgender Community. We are also part way through applying for the Rainbow mark with the LGBT Excellence Centre Wales. I am looking for some examples of good or bad practices that you have experienced whilst using sports facilities. I am also looking for what you would like to see in an ideal centre and if there are any measures undertaken before you attend i.e. look for any particular guidance or advice from external sources or information from the company themselves that would indicate that they care inclusive or LGBT friendly.

Your help would be extremely grateful,

Thanks
Tracy Williams. x.

[Jasper]

Personally something that I would like to see in a sports facility is a changing area (stalls or semi-private rooms or something like that) that anyone could use. Like say you have the men's locker room and the women's locker room and then have a slightly smaller one where people could go if they feel uncomfortable in the men's/women's. It would certainly help address the issue that many trans people have when they aren't sure which washroom to use in public. Maybe mark the room as both male and female and have stalls or something so they can change in privacy and not need to worry about other people.

Sorry that sounded weird...I'm having trouble trying to spit out exactly what I mean.

[traki79]

Thanks for you reply, we're looking into offering unisex changing facilities. New facilities almost always offer a village style changing area as its not only easier to clean as it doesnt matter waht gender your staff are but it elimates the choice that can sometimes be quite daunting for a FTM or MTF customer.

We are striving to increase publicity in highlighting that we have private cubicles inside same sex facilities and that we also offer family style changing and also unisex changing facilities based in our sauna area. I do do feel that we ofen advirtise our activities and not the facilities enough!

Thanks

[Morrigan]

Many stores and facilities already have these, called "Family Restroom's" which are locking, single person/family rooms, although I haven't seen one in a gym, or anywhere there would be a locker room.

I can't think of anything structurally beyond changing areas that wouldn't be seen as segregating rather than inclusive. Probably the most important thing would be staff training and policy that protects LGBT individuals from discrimination.