Athletics

Below you will find a list of resources to support creating LGBTQ-inclusive environments in sports, LGBTQ sports news and LGBTQ athletic organizations. Although this list is updated frequently, it is not exhaustive.  

Also, check out UC Berkeley's Cal SAGSA (Student Athlete Gay Straight Alliance) on Facebook!

On-Campus

Cal Recreational Sports

Inclusion Policy

In keeping with the University's policy of nondiscrimination on the basis of gender identity and gender expression, the UC Berkeley Department of Recreational Sports supports and values an individual's right to access facilities, restrooms, locker rooms, programs, and services in accordance with an individual's gender identity and gender expression.

The RSF and Other Facilities

At this time there are no private showers at the Recreational Sports Facility (RSF), the campus fitness center, though students may request access to a private changing area by contacting Trineice Durst (durst@berkeley.edu).  At the Golden Bear Rec Center there is only one locker room for all patrons to share, where there are private changing stalls in the locker room.

Sport Clubs

Sport Club participants may be permitted to participate in the Sport Club program in accordance with the individual’s consistently asserted gender identity.  Participation in competitive (league/tournament) activities will be resolved on a case-by-case basis based on the applicable National Governing Body.

Intercollegiate Athletics

The Transgender Student-Athlete Participation at UC Berkeley policy institutes a process for approval of Transgender Student-Athletes participation in UC Berkeley's intercollegiate athletic teams, mandates education about Transgender Student-Athletes, and institutes measures inclusive of the needs of Transgender Student-Athletes. The policy is based heavily on “On the Team: Equal Opportunity for Transgender Student Athletes” released by the National Center for Lesbian Rights, the Women‘s Sports Foundation, and the It Takes a Team Education Campaign for LGBT Issues in Sports in October 2010.  For questions contact Ryan Cobb and Foti Mellis atsportsmedicine@berkeley.edu

"At Cal Athletics, we not only accept our LGBT student-athletes, we embrace them for who they are. Fostering an inclusive environment is not just the right thing to do, it allows student-athletes to perform to the best of their abilities in all aspects of their lives." - Sandy Barbour, Director of Athletics

Cal Athletics: If You Can Play

If You Can Play Screenshot

Off-Campus Resources

Athlete Ally

Athlete Ally is a sports resource encouraging all individuals involved in sports to respect every member of their communities, regardless of perceived or actual sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, and to lead others in doing the same. Athlete Ally provides social advocacy campaigns, on-campus trainings and practical tools including resources to locate and learn about allied athletes, coaches, teams, athletic clubs and sports-based advocacy projects around the country.  Athlete Ally was founded by Hudson Taylor.

The Ben Cohen Stand Up Foundation

The mission is to raise awareness of the long-term, damaging effects of bullying and to raise funds to support those doing real-world work to stop it.  The vision is to build a highly collaborative organization funded by social business models that help connect communities and create a world of understanding and kindness.

Br{ache the Silence

Br{ache the Silence (BTS) is a national campaign founded to advance LGBTQ inclusion in intercollegiate and professional athletics, with a focus on women and racial minorities. Using the voice as a vessel we aim to empower athletes, coaches, and administrators through national campus integration initiatives and story sharing.

Campus Pride’s “Out to Play Project”

Campus Pride’s Out to Play Project is designed to address anti-LGBT slurs, bias and conduct in college sports. As part of the national project, Campus Pride published the first-ever LGBT-Friendly “Top 10″ in college athletics in partnership with Compete Magazine.

Changing the Game: The GLSEN Sports Project

Changing the Game: The GLSEN Sports Project is an education and advocacy program focused on addressing LGBT issues in K-12 school-based athletic and physical education programs.

The Fearless Project

The Fearless Project began as an independent photography project in 2003, by artists and photographer Jeff Sheng, who started documenting “out” lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender student athletes on high school and college sports teams as a photo series inspired by his own personal experience as a closeted high school athlete.

Built upon the principles of Participation, Inclusion and Personal Best™, for more than 20 years the Gay Games have empowered tens of thousands of LGBT athletes through fellowship and friendly competition.

GForce Sports is a group of dedicated LGBT athletes and allies advocating for equality in sports regardless of sexual orientation. Our focus is on the invisible athlete — the gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender athlete who must play their sport in silence and fear.

Gay & Lesbian Athletics Foundation

The Gay & Lesbian Athletics Foundation promotes acceptance and visibility of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgendered (GLBT) athletics community by providing education, mentoring, and training on issues of sexual orientation and sport; fostering support networks for athletes and athletic organizations; promoting positive role models and healthy lifestyles through athletics; and advocating inclusion, recognition, understanding, and respect among all members of the athletics community.

It Takes A Team

The Women’s Sports Foundation is committed to creating an athletic climate that is respectful and safe for all people and eliminating barriers to all girls being active and healthy. It Takes A Team! Educational Campaign for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Issues in Sport is an education project focused on eliminating homophobia as a barrier to all women and men participating in sport. Our primary goals are to develop and disseminate practical educational information and resources to athletic administrators, coaches, parents, and athletes at the high school and college levels to make sport safe and welcoming for all.

NCAA’s Champions of Respect – Inclusion of LGBTQ Student-Athletes and Staff in NCAA Programs

This resource was commissioned by the LGBTQ Subcommittee of the NCAA association-wide Committee on Women’s Athletics and the Minority Opportunities and Interests Committee in 2012. The subcommittee’s charge is to provide leadership and advocacy, raising awareness of and providing resources to address issues related to equitable opportunities, fair treatment and respect for LGBTQ student-athletes, coaches, administrators and all others associated with intercollegiate athletics.

The National Center for Lesbian Rights Sports Project

The National Center for Lesbian Rights' Sports Project aims to level the playing field for LGBT players and coaches. NCLR launched the Sports Project in 2001 to eliminate homophobia and gender identity discrimination in sports through litigation, advocacy, and outreach.

OutSports

Outsports' mission is to build the broadest, deepest, most informative and most entertaining gay sports community. This encompasses sports fans, teams and leagues. A mixture of breaking news, commentary, features, member profiles, photo galleries, and discussion boards, Outsports is the place to go for sports fans and athletes.

You Can Play

You Can Play is dedicated to ensuring equality, respect and safety for all athletes, without regard to sexual orientation.  It works to guarantee that athletes are given a fair opportunity to compete, judged by other athletes and fans alike, only by what they contribute to the sport or their team’s success.  It also seeks to challenge the culture of locker rooms and spectator areas by focusing only on an athlete’s skills, work ethic and competitive spirit.  You Can Play features videos by college, professional and amateur sports teams stating that “If you can play, you can play,” regardless of your sexual orientation.

A special thanks to Sue Rankin and Dan Merson for helping populate this list of resources.