Transgender Athletes Find Community, Support In Roller Derby

http://espn.go.com/espnw/athletes-life/article/14110104/transgender-athletes-find-community-support-roller-derby

ESPN/By Jane McManus | Nov 12, 2015

"ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Josie Simonis played every team sport they could get their hands on as a kid. Simonis wrestled, played football and baseball -- "It was a major part of my life." But to get access to all those fields, Simonis had to check an often-misunderstood identity at the door. The world saw Simonis as a boy, but Simonis didn't have the tools or language to describe themself."

I remember the summer I came out to myself, and how that realisation was precipitated by my desire to join a roller derby team. I love love love the idea of roller derby, but I couldn't shake this fear -- that this roller derby team was for women, and for that reason, I just couldn't join. My presence felt deceptive somehow... in my heart of hearts, I knew I didn't belong.

Sounds like a bummer of a story, but actually I feel a lingering gratitude towards derby for inadvertently helping me get to where I am. And I'm thrilled that its doors are open to trans women. Have fun, everyone.

It's worth noting that the Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA) has an incredibly progressive gender policy. It is really cutting edge in the global sporting community.

Here are the main points:

"The Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA) is committed to inclusive and anti-discrimination practices in relation to all transgender women, intersex women, and gender expansive participants, and aims to ensure that all skaters', volunteers', and employees' rights are respected and protected.

The WFTDA recognizes that identifying as transgender, intersex, and/or gender expansive is not in any way related to an individual's eligibility for participating as a volunteer or employee. An individual who identifies as a trans woman, intersex woman, and/or gender expansive may skate with a WFTDA charter team if women's flat track roller derby is the version and composition of roller derby with which they most closely identify.

The WFTDA will actively work to promote a climate that is welcoming and inclusive of transgender, intersex, and gender expansive participants. Any conduct which fosters a hostile environment for any participant on the basis of gender identity will not be tolerated. In addition, the WFTDA will continue to increase its knowledge of trans, intersex, and gender expansive issues through ongoing education for volunteers and staff. The gender identity of any and all WFTDA participants is considered confidential and private."