Basketball Manitoba prohibits discrimination on the basis of gender identity or any other characteristic protected under the Manitoba Human Rights Code. In order to comport with this policy and to uphold the principles of equity and inclusion, Basketball Manitoba maintains the following policy to facilitate and encourage the participation of trans students, staff, coaches, managers, trainers and any other persons associated with Basketball Manitoba sports. This policy covers participation at Basketball Manitoba sanctioned competitions and activities.
Basketball Manitoba recognizes that all situations will be unique and that the implementation of this policy will require the collaboration of all partners involved. We will therefore continue to provide the necessary supports and education to accommodate trans and gender nonconforming persons and to help raise awareness about gender-related issues.
Basketball Manitoba believes that all of its members, regardless of gender identity, should have the opportunity to participate in basketball activities in a safe, respectful, inclusive and non-judgmental environment.
Definitions
- The following terms have these meaning in this Policy:
- “Trans” – People who have been assigned one gender at birth but who identify with the other gender.
- “Basketball Manitoba team or event” – includes any member, team, tournament, training opportunity or other sanctioned event organized or managed by Basketball Manitoba.
- “Participant” – any player, parent, guardian, manager, trainer, coach, official, organizer or other individual involved in the administration, support or conduct of a Basketball Manitoba team or event.
- Additional definitions can be found in the document “Creating Inclusive Environments for Trans Participants in Canadian Sport - Guidance for Sport Organizations”, found on pages 8-10 at http://cces.ca/sites/default/files/content/docs/pdf/cces-transinclusionpolicyguidance-e.pdf
Basketball Manitoba supports Inclusion of Trans Participants
- Basketball Manitoba is an inclusive organization and welcomes participation of all individuals in our programs and activities, irrespective of race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, religion, citizenship, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, family status, or physical or mental disability.
- Basketball Manitoba supports inclusion of trans participants regardless of medical intervention in all aspects of Basketball.
- Basketball Manitoba will assign a Basketball Manitoba Support Contact person and provide contact information on the Basketball Manitoba website to assist in issues relating to this policy.
Participation in the Gender Group with which the Player Identifies
- For the purpose of registration on gender-based Basketball Manitoba teams or events, a player may register under the gender with which the player identifies.
Disclosure
- Disclosure of a player’s trans status is that player’s choice.
- Disclosure of transed status is not a requirement of participation. Such disclosure should not be sought of any Participant by any Participant.
Exception
- A trans player may be required to inform the Basketball Manitoba Support Contact and may need to disclose their trans status more generally where the player wishes to participate in a Basketball Manitoba team or event that could be subject to doping control (see Doping Control), or when participating in an extra-jurisdictional event which requires said disclosure (see Extra-jurisdictional Participation).
Doping control
- All athletes must be aware of and have a responsibility for meeting eligibility requirements based on doping control.
- Trans athletes are encouraged to contact the Basketball Manitoba Support Contact, and the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES), to assist in establishing eligibility at relevant events and what process, if any, may be required to obtain a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) related to gender reassignment, if necessary.
Extra-Jurisdictional Participation
- All athletes must be aware of and have a responsibility for meeting eligibility requirements based on the rules and regulations of extra-jurisdictional events within which they wish to participate.
- Some Basketball Manitoba teams and events occur in conjunction with other organizations or occur outside of Manitoba. These extra-jurisdictional events may be subject to rules or requirements for transed participation that are different from this policy. Trans athletes are encouraged to contact the Basketball Manitoba Support Contact, and the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES), to assist in determining eligibility at relevant events in advance of competition.
Confidentiality
- Any communication to Basketball Manitoba regarding participation or trans policies between a trans athlete and Basketball Manitoba will remain confidential to the extent requested by the athlete and/or their family, except as necessary for the purposes of implementing this Policy.
Application
- All individuals participating in Basketball Manitoba teams or events are expected to observe and follow this policy.
- Any member of Basketball Manitoba or participant in a Basketball Manitoba team or event who becomes aware of conduct that violates this policy should report the conduct to a person within Basketball Manitoba.
- Any participant in a Basketball Manitoba team or event in violation of this policy may be subject to sanction, including exclusion from Basketball Manitoba teams or events.
- Basketball Manitoba will endeavour to apply this policy in a reasonable and flexible manner, respecting the importance of fostering fair and equitable participation and competition at all levels of play, maintaining and promoting Basketball Manitoba as an inclusive organization for trans participants, and the privacy interests of those participants.
Facility Use – Washrooms and Changerooms
- Participants may use washroom and change room facilities consistent with the gender with which they identify. Basketball Manitoba recommends provision of gender neutral facilities where available.
Ongoing Monitoring
- This policy is informed by the recommendations of the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport, as detailed in “Creating Inclusive Environments for Trans Participants in Canadian Sport”– May 2016
- Basketball Manitoba commits to monitoring ongoing developments regarding national and international participation guidelines for trans athletes and pledges to review and/or revise this Policy whenever new information becomes available, and at a minimum every 3 years.
Date Enacted: May 29, 2017