This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost Australia, which closed in 2021.

Women's Roller Derby Whizzes Past Other Sports In Gender Inclusion

Women's Roller Derby Whizzes Past Other Sports In Gender Inclusion

Roller derby is known for kicking ass, and now it's set an example with its gender inclusion policy.

Thousands of members around the world belong to the Women's Flat Track Derby Association, which regulates the four-wheeled, fast-paced sport.

They've embraced a policy, updated in 2015, which officially includes “all transgender women, intersex women, and gender expansive participants.” If someone identifies most closely with the women’s team, they're welcome to play at any level — compared to the Olympics, which requires proof of hormone levels to qualify.

It actually updates an already progressive policy, but it was one that mentioned trans female athletes' hormone levels, which could be seen to exclude and discriminate against players.

“The roller derby community has always been a space where people are allowed to just be themselves,” WFTDA secretary Michelle Donnelly (aka Eduskating Rita) said in a press release at the time. “Our members grew to feel that our 2011 policy did not accurately reflect our inclusive culture and our values.”

Vancouver's Terminal City Rollergirls league features some of the approximately 400 teams in Canada. See how the gender-inclusive policy has impacted players there in the video above.

Close
This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost Australia. Certain site features have been disabled. If you have questions or concerns, please check our FAQ or contact support@huffpost.com.