The week before Transgender Day of Remembrance on November 20, people and organizations around the country participate in Transgender Awareness Week to help raise the visibility of transgender people and address issues members of the community face.
At Kids in the Game, we’re working to create more visibility by observing Transgender Awareness Week internally and celebrating the achievements of trans athlete Chris Mosier to inspire others and promote inclusion. On Tuesday our team participated in a learning session that included listening to a podcast on intersectionality and the LGBTQIA experience featuring Barbara Smith & Lady Pyhll. Barbara is a Lesbian feminist and socialist who has played a significant role in Black feminism in the United States since the early 1970s. Lady Phyll is Co-Founder of UK Black Pride & Editor of Sista: an anthology of writings by LGBT women of African/Caribbean descent with a connection to the United Kingdom.
Through this session and open conversations amongst team members, we are working to create a more inclusive environment. As an organization, we strive to meet kids where they are, integrate communities and welcome people of all backgrounds.
Chris Mosier is a trailblazing transgender athlete and thought leader on LGBTQ inclusion in sports. Chris is Vice President of community relations and program development for You Can Play, an organization that ensures safety and inclusion across all sports for LGBTQ players, coaches and fans.
In 2019, Mosier joined the Board of Directors of Point of Pride, a non-profit that works with trans people in need of gender affirming programs. Mosier is also a USA certified triathlon coach, as well as a coach and Ambassador for the Empire Triathlon Club in NYC since 2012.
Chris Mosier has dedicated his life to sports and the importance of respect and inclusion within them. In 2015, Chris earned a spot on the Team USA Sprint Dualiton Men’s Team for the 2016 World Championships. In 2016, Chris made history as the first known transgender athlete to compete on a U.S. national team based on his gender identity and not his assigned gender at birth.
After competing at the highest level, Chris took on a new challenge, dedicating his life to educating and empowering the world on the importance of inclusion. He is now known as the go-to source for policy and information on trangender people in sport. He also created ‘transathlete.com’ a resource for students, athletes, coaches, and administrators to find information about trans inclusion in athletics at various levels of play.
24% of the LGBTQ say they play a youth sport, compared to 68% of all other youth.
youcanplayproject.org
83% of fans surveyed believe that an openly gay spectator at a sporting event would not be safe.
thechrismosier.com
When we understand these statistics, we realize the importance of education and inclusion. Simply saying we recognize all people isn’t enough, and we have to be proactive and open in creating these spaces. This starts with educating ourselves and continuing to learn more every day. When we allow ourselves to take on those challenges, we start to feel confident enough to educate and give support to others. There is also a balance in knowing it’s okay to ask questions when you are unsure. We’re allowed to be wrong. And we must practice active listening. Active listening shows care, an eagerness to learn and commitment to better yourself.
Chris’s mission highlights what we believe in at Kids in the Game. He uses his platform to educate, demonstrate and lead by example. He understands that kids can often feel as if they don’t have a voice, and he challenges himself to be that for them. As coaches, co-workers and role models it is our job to lead by example and create a safe place for kids and the people we work with to feel accepted. At Kids in the Game, one of our ultimate impact goals is to develop emotional intelligence in youth and help our kids form impactful long term relationships. Both are not possible unless we fully embrace the differences in people and educate ourselves. When we are able to do so, the mission of creating accepting, nurturing and educated environments is possible, and we are all able to be the best people we can be.