Across Europe, 82% of LGBTQ+[1] people who take part in sport have experienced or witnessed homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia in the past twelve months (Outsport Survey, 2019)[2]. That means that too many members of the LGBTQ+ community still feel confronted with a choice between loving their sport and being their true selves.
Swiss HEMA is committed to creating a safe and inclusive environment for the LGBTQ+ community to practice HEMA. Furthermore, we look to support the participation of gender diverse and transgender people to participate in HEMA in accordance with their gender identity (whether or not this aligns with the sex they were assigned at birth). We do so through developing initiatives that both encourages LGBTQ+ participation and supports their inclusion in the HEMA community:
Inclusion Awareness: To emphasise Swiss HEMA’s support to the LGBTQ+ community, we have adapted our One for All logo above using the rainbow pride colours. This image is used in our Openness initiatives and for promotional and awareness raising purposes. Products bearing the emblem can be purchased via the Swiss HEMA Shop.
Education and Awareness Raising: To create an open environment for the LGBTQ+ community Swiss HEMA looks to engage with national anti-homophobia initiatives. We are also working to develop and offer training and awareness-raising support for club leaders, instructors and participants.
Information and Resources: Nationally and internationally there are various initiatives set up by sporting authorities and LGBTQ+ HEMA participants that we wish to highlight. Please follow these links for more information (other suggested links are welcome):
- Stop homophobia (Swiss Olympic anti-homophobia campaign). The guide “Red card against homophobia in sport!” and the website of the campaign “Stop homophobia in sport” offer help to instructors and monitors for the implementation of the various provisions in this area: FR / DE / IT.
- Swiss LGBTI+ Label. The label is open to companies, organisations and training establishments. It was developed by Swiss LGBTI umbrella associations, in collaboration with several leading Swiss companies and organisations. Assessment and qualification are based on self-declaration based on a questionnaire and the submission of supporting documents attesting to the declared instruments and measures. Evaluation using standardised criteria invites organisations to engage in a process of constant improvement. FR / DE.
- QT HEMA is a campaign to support queer and trans HEMAists across the world. https://www.facebook.com/QueerTransHEMA/
- Big Gay Sword Year is an ongoing event series showcasing queer and trans martial artists and teachers. It grew out of the successful Big Gay Sword Day events in 2018 and 2019, and features members of the Historical European Martial Arts community sharing their knowledge and passion. Big Gay Sword Year aims to create a space that prioritises accessibility and fun, and a culture that makes learning available to anyone, especially those who experience marginalization in many sports environments. https://shopvalkyrie.ca/pages/big-gay-sword-year
- The International Olympic Committee released in 2021 a Framework on Fairness, Inclusion and Non-discrimination on the basis of gender identity and sex variations.
- Stonewall has a number of workshops designed to empower and support LGBTQ+ inclusive practices in clubs. They aim to provide both skills and knowledge to make immediate and lasting change. https://www.stonewall.org.uk/workshops-make-your-sports-organisations-better-lgbtq-people
If you have questions, suggestions or wish to help, please contact the O&S Commission members on: safeguarding@swisshema.ch
Please use the tabs or these links to view our ongoing and developing Openness initiatives: Women’s Participation, Promoting Diversity, Event Support.
[1] LGBTQ+ is an acronym for lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, trans-gender and queer or questioning. These terms are used to describe a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity. The term is extending and developing, but Swiss HEMA uses it to represent all of the communities included in the ‘LGBTTTQQIAA alphabet’.
[2] Menzel, T., Baumüller, B. & Hartmann-Tews, I. (2019). The relevance of sexual orientation and gender identity in sport in Europe. Findings from the Outsport Survey. Cologne; German Sport University, Institute of Sociology and Gender Studies.