CHISI (Challenging Homophobia in Sport Initiative) is a sub-committee of Queer Sport Alliance Melbourne and is represented on the committee of QSAM.
CHISI is made up of a number of peak LGBT bodies within Victoria including – Gay and Lesbian Health Victoria, the VEOHRC, ALSO, the R J Mitchell Trust, Transgender Victoria, as well as the School of Sport and Exercise Science, Victoria University.
CHISI Achievements in 2009
- Securing first research project investigating the sport experiences of LGBT people in Victoria: “Come Out To Play”. Online survey, 310 respondents, closed and open ended questions. Funded by VicHealth ($10,000), Victoria University ($10,000) and the AP Outgames Legacy fund ($5,000). Principal researchers are Dr. Caroline Symons (VU) and Anne Mitchell (GLHV). Preliminary results have already been presented at a number of significant forums / contexts including:
- The first ever LGBT community consultation led by CHISI, with the Australian Sports Commission (ASC); inclusion in the CHISI submission to the major review of Australian sport being conducted by the Federal Government in 2009; and a keynote address made by Dr. Caroline Symons at the Sport and Recreation Victoria (State Government - SRV) conference held in November – People, Places, Partnerships. The Future of Community Sport and Recreation. Dr. Helen Szoke, Chief Conciliator and CEO, Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission (VEOHRC), also made reference to this research in her major speech to this conference and she featured addressing homophobia in sport as a major challenge for Victorian sports bodies.
- CHISI has been consulted as the informed and representative body on LGBT issues in sport by – the ASC, SRV and the manager of the main online training platform for sport in Australia – Mary Duncan of Play By The Rules.
- CHISI made the only submission on behalf of LGBT Australian’s to the major review of sport in Australia – by the Independent Sports Panel. This submission was also made in person to a member of the panel. As a result of this submission LGBT people are recognised as a marginalised / discriminated group in their participation in Australian sport, and this acknowledgement is made in the final report (Crawford Report) emanating from the sports review. The Crawford report recommends that resources, policy and programs need to be made available to the recognised disadvantaged groups so as to ensure all Australians are included in the sports agenda.
- ASC provided, $150,000 to VEOHRC to develop a project to address participation and safety in sport, and the ASC community consultation (as well as further consultation) contributed to the Commission’s proposal to focus on educational programs addressing homophobia in sport: A one year pilot project engaging 1-2 national codes within Victoria, employment of a project officer based at VEOHRC and a steering group for the project (organised by late Feb/early March 2010)
- CHISI conducted a community forum at the start of 2009 (part of Midsumma) – Olympians Peter Van Miltenburg and Michelle Ferris were in attendance – to raise awareness re LGBT issues in sport and consult more broadly with the community
Plans for 2010
- Presentation of ‘Come Out to Play’ research on 18th February at Darebin Town Hall – Vichealth conference.
- Inclusion of research and educational materials in the first AP-GLISA newsletter and ongoing involvement with AP – GLISA in human rights and challenging homophobia in sport area (CHS).
- Liaison with the Federation of Gay Games on CHS.
- 17th May IDAHO day – Launch of the “Come Out to Play” report – theme for this year internationally is sport, so perfect opportunity to raise awareness in this area as well as use sport to address homophobia in society more generally.
- Leading / involved with key sport initiatives as part of IDAHO
- Organise and participate in Panel on Homophobia in sport – on March 28th as part of the Queer Film Festival. A film on this topic will also be screened.
- Start of May, Sydney – Health In Difference conference – presenting on “Come Out To Play” to LGBT health community – academics, practitioners Australia wide.
- End of May – Sydney. International Women in Sport conference (very big one!) Also presenting on “Come Out to Play” research, and with Federation of Gay Games VP External Relations (Kate Rowe) – on women’s participation at the Gay Games.
- Website development for CHISI – link to QSAM
- Co-convening conference on “Gender, Sexualities and the Wide World of Football” (all codes) – at Victoria University at the end of September 2010. Hoping to bring together key academics, advocacy / policy workers in the gender, sexuality and sport area from across Australia and internationally – for research and policy collaboration. This is an interdisciplinary conference with a practical, educational and advocacy component.
- Caroline Symons will also have her book titled: The Gay Games: A history, published by Routledge in the Critical Sports Studies Series, in May of 2010.
- Daniel Witthaus will be on his national tour during 2010 – Beyond “That’s So Gay” A National Challenging Homophobia Tour. www.thatssogay.com.au