Being an athlete who struggles with their gender identity can be very difficult and stressful. Trying to feel secure as a non-binary athlete can be especially hard in gendered sports. Although non-binary athletes are presented with many challenges in sports, here are five tips to help non-binary athelets feel like they belong on their teams and in their community:
Just be you
Be confident in your own identity and who you are, especially in a gendered sport. No one can take away your identity. Allowing yourself to feel confident can make it easier for you to find others who share the same values as you, which can make your transition into your sport much easier.
Seek help or advice if you need it because you aren’t alone
Not knowing your identity is a struggle because you’re transitioning to another stage in your life, so seeking help will make that transition easier. Getting the support and advice from others will give you the comfort that you need to be at your best in sports. Allowing people to be there and support you helps you be you. Some ways to ask for help is through mentorship on the VIS™ platform, or talking to someone you trust.
Be transparent with yourself, teammates and coaches about how you are feeling
Allowing yourself to be honest with others can help them be more accepting and comfortable around you, therefore creating a safer place for you on the team. You can let your coach know that this is who you are and let them know your pronouns so they can respect them.
“Just be you. Be confident in your identity because no one can take that away from you.”
Be open with how you feel about your gear
The gear that you are expected to wear for your sport may not align with your own gender-identity, and it is important to speak up if you are not comfortable. By speaking up, coaches and staff can help find you alternatives for gear and uniforms because you should feel comfortable in what you’re performing in.
Let people know your pronouns.
Even if they do not mean it, people make mistakes and may address you with the wrong pronouns. If this happens, know that they're addressing YOU and they need to know what YOU go by. It’s uncomfortable to be misgendered, but you should not be afraid to correct them when they’re wrong.
These steps are here to help you be open about your gender identity. If you need more support or advice with understanding your gender identity, VIS™ offers mentorship programs, which are 1-on-1 sessions with an athlete or expert. In the end, know that you are not alone and that you belong in sports.
