Gender-diverse option in events wins praise
A gender-diverse category – alongside males and females – has been added to an annual Southland sporting event.
And an advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion says that small adjustment will have a big impact for some people.
Males, females and gender diverse runners are being invited to compete in a Southland halfmarathon and 10km event, and organisers are offering the same prizemoney for the winners of all three categories.
The Fiordland Trails Trust organises the annual Meridian Hydro Half Marathon in Te Anau.
Trustee Heather Sinclair said the decision to add a gender diverse category was made with event sponsor Meridian Energy.
Adding the category may be a small matter for some, but for others it was an important recognition, she said.
‘‘Support and advice came from the Meridian gender belonging group, as well as feedback from potential competitors about whether gender-diverse was a category we would be interested in adding to our event.
‘‘Together we felt adding the category was the right thing to do to ensure we continue being inclusive and respectful of our diverse communities.’’
Place-getters in the genderdiverse category would get the same prizemoney as the men’s and women’s place-getters.
The event website says organisers understand gender identity can be a private or difficult concept for some.
‘‘If you choose to participate in the gender-diverse category and succeed in placing in 1st, 2nd or 3rd, the following options are available to you: Receive your award on the podium as per the winners from other categories [or] have your award sent to you privately.’’
Sinclair said organisers had added gender-diverse as a category because they wanted to ensure the event was attractive to and inclusive of all.
‘‘We want as many people as possible participating ... because it is an awesome event.’’
Meridian was on board to cover the prizemoney and support organisers in making the change possible.
There had been a positive reaction from the community, Sinclair said.
‘‘It has been great to have people ask about the gender diverse category and explain that it is great to be able to offer this category to our competitors.
‘‘Meridian have been incredibly supportive and have encouraged us as well.’’
Mary Haddock-Staniland is Ever-Commerce’s global diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging executive.
Haddock-Staniland is a transgender personality who is a keen advocate for the transgender community.
The advocate is delighted that organisers of the Meridian Hydro Half Marathon had made the move to add a diverse category.
‘‘I think it’s wonderful. I am really proud of them,’’ Haddock Staniland said.
‘‘I would love to see more sports events do this kind of thing because it’s a relatively simple adjustment with a big positive impact.’’
‘‘When you feel different and out of place in the world, selfacceptance can be a challenge. Changes like this go a long way to ensuring everyone feels recognised.’’