HERAIA · mapping the dynamics of inclusion and exclusion of people with non-normative gender identities, expressions, and sex characteristics in sports and physical exercise

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Project objective

The evolution of female participation in sports has been marked by significant milestones and challenges. In 2024, Paris hosted the first “gender equal” Olympic Games. This milestone indicates progress towards gender equality in sports at the highest levels, however, it occurs within cis-binary conceptions of gender, with trans and intersex women still facing considerable obstacles. Through an intersectional and interdisciplinary lens, HERAIA maps and analyses the decreasing rights of individuals with diverse gender identities, expressions and sex characteristics (GIESC), with special attention to trans and intersex athletes. HERAIA pursues four objectives: 1) exploring the evolution of gender policies in sports through policy analysis and archival research; 2) examining how GIESC-diverse individuals experience access to competitive and recreational sports through surveys and in-depth biographical interviews; 3) identifying the needs of sports club personnel for including GIESC-diverse athletes through semi-structured interviews; 4) developing a Handbook of Best Practices to enhance inclusivity in sports by applying Olympic values and principles such as fairness, respect, and equality. Through collaboration with international LGBTQI+ networks and direct dissemination to trans and intersex athletes, HERAIA ensures that findings inform both policy and lived realities. By achieving these goals, the project will contribute to understanding the challenges faced by GIESC-diverse people and promote solutions for their inclusion, ensuring that sports remain a platform accessible for all.

Original text from CORDIS.

Participants

• UNIVERSITAT AUTONOMA DE BARCELONA · Cerdanyola Del VallesCoordinatorSpain

Links

• View on CORDIS
• DOI: 10.3030/101277280