Our work on trans inclusion in physical activity

By GM Moving | 31 March 2025 | TAGS: commitment to inclusion, Leisure, gender

Trans and non-binary people face many challenges that stop them from being active. These can include not having the right changing rooms, sports being divided by gender, or experiencing transphobia.

At GM Moving, we want everyone to be able to live active lives, and benefit from the joy of movement. To mark Trans Day of Visibility (TDoV), we’re sharing the work our team are doing to help trans and non-binary people be more active. 

There isn’t much research about how active trans and non-binary people are, but the studies that exist show some worrying results. A recent survey showed that almost 90% of people think homophobia and transphobia are big problems in sports (OUTSPORT, 2019). Also, 52% of young trans, non-binary, and gender-diverse people feel that their gender identity has made it harder for them to take part in sports (Mermaids, 2023). 

To help everyone enjoy being active, we need to better understand the challenges faced by trans and non-binary people. Then, we can work together to make sports and activities more welcoming to everyone, no matter their gender identity.

Over the past year, we’ve been working with LGBT Foundation and the Proud Trust to learn more about the experiences of trans and non-binary people in Greater Manchester. Together, we’re helping these communities overcome the obstacles that stop them from being active. 

From our conversations, we’ve learned about the challenges trans and non-binary people face. For example, getting to gender-neutral facilities can be expensive, and dress codes can make trans people feel unsafe or be targets for bullying. People also told us that having other struggles, due to being disabled or older, can make it even harder to be active.

There are fantastic projects across Greater Manchester that are boosting inclusion, and removing the barriers to being active. Many people said that sports groups created just for trans and non-binary people were life-changing, because they could be themselves without worrying about being judged. 

We’re excited to say that this is only the beginning of the work we’re doing with trans and non-binary communities. In the coming months, LGBT Foundation and the Proud Trust will use their findings to create guides to help everyone better understand how to include trans and non-binary people. We are looking forward to sharing these fantastic resources.

In the meantime, we encourage you to learn more about how to be a good ally to trans and non-binary people.  
 
Would you like to learn more about how to support trans people to be more active? Visit the links below. 
LGBT+ Inclusion Guidance - The Proud Trust
A guide to being a trans ally – LGBT Foundation

What is ‘transphobia’?

Transphobia is discrimination, prejudice, and hatred directed towards transgender and gender diverse people, often by purposeful misgendering, hateful language and name calling, and violence towards transgender people.