Advise for Transgender and Nonbinary Archers
Updated 14/10/2022
We recognise that sport has not always historically been an inclusive environment for LGBTQIA+ people. However, UoB Archery welcomes all archers, regardless of gender or sexuality.
Preferred Name/Pronouns
When joining the club, the name registered will be the one used by the SU, and we ask that it matches the one used on your student ID, as sometimes that is required as proof of identity. When you become a club member, your name will be registered with our governing body, ArcheryGB. By default, the name used will be your preferred name registered with the university. Changing this with the university should automatically change your preferred name with the SU; however, we cannot guarantee this.
If your preferred name differs from the one used there, please feel free to use your preferred name when introducing yourself to other members of the club. If you change your name within the university and SU systems, please let us know, and we can update this on our internal records for you. You can not change the name on your ArcheryGB account by simply logging in; however, if you wish for our assistance in contacting ArcheryGB to attempt to change it, please let us know. We are uncertain whether they require legal proof of a change of name or not, as many archers register under their preferred names rather than legal ones.
We welcome members to let people know their preferred pronouns, whether or not they differ from how you publicly present. Some members choose to use pronoun badges - the quiver, the back of the chestguard, or on the opposite side of your chest to your bow hand are popular choices; however, we have seen other methods, e.g. on hats. We also ask all members to respect peoples' pronouns, including neopronouns, although we recognise that some members will be less familiar with these.
If members experience any instances of homophobia or transphobia within the club (including deadnaming or purposeful use of incorrect pronouns), our Equality and Wellbeing Officer is available to be contacted for support.
If your preferred name differs from the one used there, please feel free to use your preferred name when introducing yourself to other members of the club. If you change your name within the university and SU systems, please let us know, and we can update this on our internal records for you. You can not change the name on your ArcheryGB account by simply logging in; however, if you wish for our assistance in contacting ArcheryGB to attempt to change it, please let us know. We are uncertain whether they require legal proof of a change of name or not, as many archers register under their preferred names rather than legal ones.
We welcome members to let people know their preferred pronouns, whether or not they differ from how you publicly present. Some members choose to use pronoun badges - the quiver, the back of the chestguard, or on the opposite side of your chest to your bow hand are popular choices; however, we have seen other methods, e.g. on hats. We also ask all members to respect peoples' pronouns, including neopronouns, although we recognise that some members will be less familiar with these.
If members experience any instances of homophobia or transphobia within the club (including deadnaming or purposeful use of incorrect pronouns), our Equality and Wellbeing Officer is available to be contacted for support.
Registered Sex at Birth
When joining the club, we are required to affiliate all our members with ArcheryGB, who require us to specify sex at birth, either "male" or "female". Thankfully, ArcheryGB has now introduced the option to state your gender identity alongside your sex at birth, and will display it on your membership card and account, however entries to competitions currently remain based on sex at birth. AGB still provide options for either changing your category or registering in a different one. If you are transgender, we advise you to contact us ahead of filling this in, especially if your fulfil ArcheryGB's criteria for registering in a different category and you are new archer.
ArcheryGB's Policy on Transgender Archers
ArcheryGB is currently reviewing its policy on transgender archers, and during this time, the policy has been removed from its website. However, we have confirmed that the existing one still stands until the updated policy is complete. Please see below a snippet of their policy on being registered in a category other than that of your sex assigned at birth:
Archery GB ’s intent on trans people wishing to take part in archery in their affirmed gender is as follows: An individual may be eligible for participation in their affirmed gender. This will be subject to the approval of Archery GB on a case by case basis; the Clearance Procedure is set out below. In reaching a decision, Archery GB will have regard to the following two factors:
a. the safety of the applicant and fellow archers (usually, an issue for contact sports and unlikely to be relevant for archery), and
b. the need to ensure fair play and fair competition.
When considering a trans archer’s application, Archery GB will make a presumption that an individual’s application will be approved if he or she is able to satisfy the hormone-based requirements and provide the evidence set out below. If these requirements are met, Archery GB will only refuse an application if Archery GB decides in its absolute discretion that it is necessary to refuse an application to ensure:
a. the applicant’s and fellow archers’ safety (unlikely to be relevant for archery) and/or
b. fair competition.
Female-to-Male Archers
Requirements
Hormone therapy results in blood testosterone levels within natal male range
Evidence
• Individual case-by-case review
• Medical information/records demonstrate hormone therapy administered in a verifiable manner
• Blood testosterone within range for an appropriate length of time so as to minimise any potential advantage
• Hormone treatment may need to be verified annually
• Proof of ID required is identical to that required of all archers i.e. passport or driving licence
Male-to-Female Archers
Requirements
Hormone therapy or Gonadectomy results in blood testosterone within natal female range
Evidence
• Individual case-by-case review
• Medical information/records demonstrate hormone therapy administered in a verifiable manner
• Blood testosterone within natal female range for an appropriate length of time so as to minimise any potential advantage
• Hormone treatment may need to be verified annually
• Proof of ID required is identical to that required of all archers i.e. passport or driving licence
If a trans person has not undergone or is not undergoing hormone therapy or gonadectomy, Archery GB will consider their application taking into consideration the two requirements to ensure:
a. the applicant’s and fellow archers’ safety (unlikely to be relevant for archery) and
b. fair competition.
ArcheryGB has also clarified that all transgender archers are registered on a confidential list. Once assigned to the correct category, you are under no obligation to disclose that you are trans to any other club, archer or competition official. You are not allowed to participate in competitions under any category other than that of the gender assigned to you at birth until you have received clearance from ArcheryGB.
BUCS Policy on Transgender Athletes
Please find the link to the BUCS policy on transgender athletes here.
The main difference is that female-to-male athletes who are NOT on testosterone can compete in either category but must not compete in multiple in the same year.
ArcheryGB states that the BUCS policy currently supersedes their own for competing at any event overseen by BUCS. However, any ArcheryGB records or awards that could be claimed from such an event must comply with ArcheryGB policies.
At any other event (including non-BUCS university competitions), ArcheryGB policy applies in full.
The main difference is that female-to-male athletes who are NOT on testosterone can compete in either category but must not compete in multiple in the same year.
ArcheryGB states that the BUCS policy currently supersedes their own for competing at any event overseen by BUCS. However, any ArcheryGB records or awards that could be claimed from such an event must comply with ArcheryGB policies.
At any other event (including non-BUCS university competitions), ArcheryGB policy applies in full.
Being Challenged on your Gender
Unfortunately, we understand that sports are not always welcoming for transgender archers, and trans, non-binary and gender non-conforming archers may have their gender challenged.
The only instance in which a review of an archer's gender is considered by ArcheryGB when it has been challenged is if they are "reasonable requests which are put formally in writing setting out clearly the grounds on which they are based". They also state that this review should be "sensitive and confidential".
In line with this, we ask that members of the club do not bring any challenges, whether they are reasonable or not, to the committee, as we are not equipped to handle that correctly.
If a club member has had their gender challenged via ArcheryGB, and they wish for the club's support in dealing with that in any way, please contact the committee, and we will handle the matter with complete confidentiality.
The only instance in which a review of an archer's gender is considered by ArcheryGB when it has been challenged is if they are "reasonable requests which are put formally in writing setting out clearly the grounds on which they are based". They also state that this review should be "sensitive and confidential".
In line with this, we ask that members of the club do not bring any challenges, whether they are reasonable or not, to the committee, as we are not equipped to handle that correctly.
If a club member has had their gender challenged via ArcheryGB, and they wish for the club's support in dealing with that in any way, please contact the committee, and we will handle the matter with complete confidentiality.
