LGBTQ+ Community
Hockey Australia 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 local communities.
Hockey Australia has a zero-tolerance to any form of bullying, harassment and/or vilification towards people with diverse sexualities and/or genders. This includes forms of homophobia, biphobia transphobia and/or interphobia.
We're passionate about helping people lead happy, healthy and active lives. Hockey Australia celebrates diversity of sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, intersex status, ability, skill, cultural background, ethnicity, location, religious or political beliefs or life stage and welcomes everyone, exactly as they are.
LGBTQ+ is Hockey Australia’s preferred use to recognise the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer/ questioning community. The + holds space for the expansion of genders and sexual identities.
Greta Hayes & Davis Atkin 2023 Pride Month Ambassadors
Hockey Australia Pride Ambassadors:
- Roxy Tickle (she/her) - Community Hockey Player
- Greta Hayes (she/her) - Hockeyroos Squad Member & AIS Pride Ambassador 2023
- Kalindi Commerford (she/her) - Canberra Chill Player
- Melissa Gmeiner (she/her) - Social Impact & Sustainability Manager, Hockey Australia
Resources
LGBTQ Inclusion: Administrators Guide
LGBTQ Inclusion: Peers & Allies Guide
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Policy
The Hockey Australia Guidelines for the Inclusion of Transgender and Gender Diverse People in Community Hockey. Any complaint or breach of this policy shall be dealt with in accordance with the Hockey Australia Complaints, Disputes and Discipline Policy.
Hockey Australia's LGBTQ+ Awareness session can be found on HockeyEd. The 10-minute free course, helps you gain an understanding of why LGBTQ+ inclusion is important and develop a level of comfort around terminology. Anyone can register for a free HockeyEd account and access all of the great online content.
LGBTQ+ Athletes International Travel Advice
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.
Hockey Australia is a member of Pride in Sport and involved in the Pride in Sport Index each year.
Minus 18 is an organisation dedicated to LGBTQ+ youth in Australia. Created to lead change, build social inclusion and advocate for an Australia where all young people are safe, empowered, and surrounded by people that support them.
If you do experience bullying or harassment, or need to report an incident, you can do so by contacting the Hockey Australia Integrity Unit via integrity@hockey.org.au or through the Hockey Integrity Hotline. All complaints will be taken seriously, managed confidentially, and dealt with in accordance with Hockey Australia’s National Integrity Framework. Reports through the Hotline can be made anonymously.
Should you require additional confidential assistance, please contact Melissa Gmeiner (she/her), Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Manager at melissa.gmeiner@hockey.org.au
QLife is an Australia-wide telephone and webchat peer support and referral service for LGBTIQ+ people and their loved ones. QLife is a free and anonymous service run by LGBTIQ+ peers for those wanting to talk about a range of issues including sexuality, identity, gender, bodies, feelings or relationships.
LGBTIQA+ people may experience discrimination, harassment and hostility in many aspects of their everyday life – in their places of work and education and when accessing health or othr services. We at Lifeline are here to listen and support you, without judgement.