Paddle Australia

Paddle Australia vision of fostering a ‘united paddling community’, is committed to creating a safe and inclusive space for all people, regardless of gender expression, gender identity and sexuality.

Paddle Australia is committed to ensuring that everyone involved in paddling is treated with dignity and is protected from abuse, bullying, harassment, sexual misconduct, unlawful discrimination, victimisation, and vilification. This includes all forms of transphobia, homophobia and/or biphobia.

There is a zero-tolerance to any form of bullying, harassment, and vilification in our sport. Paddle Australia strives to support our paddling community to live happy, healthy, safe, and active lives.

Paddle Australia celebrates diversity regardless of race/ethnicity, gender identity, gender expression, age, ability, religion and sexual orientation status. In-line with the values of a ‘United paddling community’ our clubs, state associations and Paddle Australia are committed to actively promoting and encouraging diversity, inclusion and belonging in paddling.

What can I do now?
– Using gender natural language
– Ask respectful questions (“What pronouns should I use?”)
– If you make a mistake (and we all will) – acknowledge, apologise and move on

Be an Ally: 
Be Informed: Attend information training sessions, talk to LGBTQ+ friends, family or colleagues, read LGBTQ+ related publications, social media, videos.

Be Visible: Promote yourself as an ally, wear a pin, share your story of why you’re an ally, celebrate days of significance.

Be Part of the Solution: Talk about pronouns, advocate for inclusive language, take a stand against homophobic, biphobic or transphobic slurs, jokes, or negative comments.

Days of Significance
Diversity Days are all about celebrating or honouring LGBTQ+ days of significance, and increasing awareness of the LGBTQ+ community’s rich and fabulous diversity.

Pride in Sport Language and Terminology 
Language plays a big part of what we say and do. It is how we bring ourselves into a conversation. Be mindful of what you say and how this will affect others. Refer to the Language and Terminology to hope you understand and ask questions if you are unsure or wold like further understanding or clarification.
LGBTQ+ Inclusive Language Guide

Resources
PA LGBTQ+ Guides
PA LGBTQ+ Inclusion Administrators Guide
PA LGBTQ+ Participant Guide
PA LGBTQ+ Inclusion Peers & Allies Guide

PA LGBTQ Inclusion Policy

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.

Australian Sports Commission believes that all Australians should be able to participate in sport in a welcoming and inclusive way – regardless of age, ability, socio-economic status, cultural background, ethnicity, gender, or sexual orientation

Lifeline provides 24-hour crisis support and suicide prevention services to all Australians
experiencing a personal crisis.
Phone: 13 11 14

QLife provides anonymous and free LGBTI peer support and referral for people wanting to talk
about sexuality, identity, gender, bodies, feelings or relationships.

Beyond Blue is an Australian mental health and well being support organisation. Providing  support programs to address issues related to depression, suicide, anxiety disorders, and other related mental illnesses.

ACON Global leader in community health, inclusion and HIV responses for people of diverse of sexualities and genders.

Minus 18 is leading change, building social inclusion, and advocating for an Australia where all young people are safe, empowered, and surrounded by people that support them.

TransHub is an initiative from ACON Health, Australia’s largest LGBTQ health organisation specialising in community health, inclusion, and HIV responses for people of diverse sexualities and genders.

Pride Cup – By connecting with community clubs of all codes to help them run their own Pride Cup matches and attend facilitated education sessions, Pride Cup empowers sportspeople to become leaders for inclusivity and diversity in their communities.

Proud 2 Play focuses on increasing LGBTIQA+ engagement in sport, exercise and active recreation. To do this, P2P works with all levels of the sporting community, from individual participants and grassroots communities, to state and national sporting organisations.

Australian Human Rights Commission is an independent statutory organisation, established by an act of Federal Parliament. We protect and promote human rights in Australia and internationally.

Support – Confidential related discussions
Enquiries that covers wider racial and cultural issues in sport for people who feel they have been discriminated against, please contact the Paddle Australia Integrity Manager (integrity@paddle.org.au or 0426 363 302) with any general integrity-related enquiries including about the National Integrity Framework.