Queerfit
THEMES
– Participation in sport
– Policies relating to sex and gender
– Representation in coaching facilities
– Fighting discrimination
– Communication
– Diversity education and training
TARGETED OBJECTIVES
– Offering a free of charge fitness course for transgender, intersex and non-binary people with a gender neutral locker room, bathroom and a safe space in which to train.
– Fostering peer presence in the context of sport and physical activity.
– Creating a non-competitive, relaxed environment in which to build confidence around diverse people and their bodies.
– Promoting physical and psychological well-being.
MAIN INITIATIVE
The project Queerfit started with interviews and assemblies, collecting information about what transgender, intersex, non-binary as well as other queer people would need to feel at ease at the gym. Before the project, it had created “tesseramento alias”, a membership program which allows transgender, intersex and non-binary people to sign up to UISP (Unione Italiana Sport per Tutti – Italian Sport for All Association) according to their chosen name and sport.
At first, the organisation found a gym willing to host the activities and built a website containing all relevant information and educational materials. The shower room was restructured, creating individual cabins so that participants would feel at ease showering and changing there.
During the workouts, the participants make a round of names/pronouns before each class, so that everyone can feel more at ease. The trainers are carefully selected in order to offer the best quality also in terms of inclusive language and behaviour: the classes are free of any discriminatory language and “macho” attitudes.
BENEFICIARIES
LGBTIQA+ people and allies, with a special focus on transgender, intersex and nonbinary people aged 16+.
IMPACT OF THE INITIATIVE
In this initiative people have expressed feeling that are able to have fun, they feel at ease in the dressing room and feel they are part of a team.
The fact that the classes are free of charge mean that many people from financially disadvantaged backgrounds find it very convenient. Intergenerational, intersectional, intercultural: participants include students, youth, sex workers, even tourists.
The parents of teenage transgender students who participated in the course are happy their kids have found a safe space to socialise, practice sports and have fun.
SUSTAINABILITY AND TRANSFERABILITY
This project was specifically designed to meet the needs of the target groups. It needs serious planning, but it’s reproducible in any context which allows “alias” membership registration and provides gender neutral facilities.
In order to extend the impact of this project, it is advisable to be able to pay the staff. So far, Queerfit has been run purely on a voluntary basis.
Participants typically take two classes per week and we want to experiment with an open-air, summer edition. Likewise, they need more support from the institutional side and funding/sponsors.
WEBSITE OR RELATED RESOURCES