Evergreen FC, a Toronto-based soccer team composed of female, LGBTQ+, and gender diverse members, has faced controversy after Stadium Sport Leagues temporarily excluded non-binary players from their women's division. The league cited complaints from some players who felt unsafe competing against Evergreen FC, claiming the policy aligns with other adult recreational leagues in the region. However, Riley Yesno, Evergreen FC co-captain, argues that the team has not received any disciplinary action and that the league's actions contradict a gender inclusion policy she helped create.
team in Toronto says controversy surrounding its league’s gender policy, which temporarily excluded non-binary players from women’s teams, has sparked a bigger conversation about accessibility and support for LGBTQ+ athletes.
In follow-up emails Yesno shared with The Canadian Press, the league said it had to enforce its “gender inclusive policy” because it received complaints from some players who said they didn’t “feel safe” playing against Evergreen FC. The league said in those emails that its policy is in line with other adult recreational sport leagues in the region.
The league adopted the policy, but it was recently updated without notice, Yesno said, requiring those whose gender was registered as “unknown” or “other” to only play in co-ed leagues, without the option to play in male or female leagues.Yesno said the requirement was added at some point without her knowledge, while the league said in internal emails that it had not been enforcing its gender policy “to its fullest” and would begin doing so after safety concerns were raised by other teams.
Internal emails show the league said team representatives had met to discuss its policies, and the change was a result of a “collective decision.”When asked about the allegations of gender discrimination and concerns about its gender inclusion policy, Stadium Sport Leagues said it is “open to everyone.”
Yesno said Evergreen FC has offered to help the league implement a policy better informed by non-binary, transgender and LGBTQ+ players.Sports superstars spread holiday cheer at Alberta Children’s HospitalThe league’s latest policy is less inclusive than what it started out with, Bonifaz pointed out, because it only allows for gender diverse people to join women’s teams.
While it’s been an emotional few weeks for Evergreen FC, the outpouring of support has given team members a lot of hope, said Bonifaz.“It has been really heartening to see a lot of allies, whether that’s in our own communities, and also the soccer community, specifically in Toronto,” they said.
LGBTQ+ Inclusion Sports Policy Gender Identity Accessibility
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Toronto Soccer Team Sparks Debate Over Gender Policy in LGBTQ+ SportsA recreational soccer team in Toronto is raising questions about inclusivity and support for LGBTQ+ athletes after the league they play in temporarily excluded non-binary players from women's teams. Evergreen FC, a team composed of female, LGBTQ+ and gender diverse members, has been playing in the women's division of Stadium Sport Leagues since 2022. However, the league recently informed the team that non-binary players would only be permitted to play on co-ed teams, citing complaints from some players who said they didn't feel safe playing against Evergreen FC. The team's co-captain, Riley Yesno, argues that this policy contradicts a gender inclusion policy she helped write for the league last year.
Read more »
Toronto Soccer Team Sparks Debate Over Gender Policy in LGBTQ+ SportsEvergreen FC, a Toronto soccer team composed of female, LGBTQ+ and gender diverse members, faced controversy after the league temporarily excluded non-binary players from women's teams. This sparked a discussion about inclusivity and support for LGBTQ+ athletes.
Read more »
Toronto Soccer Team Sparks Debate on LGBTQ+ Inclusion in SportsEvergreen FC, a recreational soccer team in Toronto, has sparked a debate about LGBTQ+ inclusion in sports after the league temporarily excluded non-binary players from women's teams.
Read more »
Croix Soto Joins AFC Toronto to Pave Way for Women's Pro SoccerDefender Croix Soto, after successful stops in North Carolina, Kansas City, and Houston, joins AFC Toronto to contribute to the growth of women's professional soccer in Canada. Soto, the club's first international signing, aims to be part of Toronto's championship journey and the pioneering spirit of the Northern Super League.
Read more »
New AFC Toronto midfielder Cloey Uddenberg played her part in Canada soccer historyTORONTO — Midfielder Cloey Uddenberg, AFC Toronto's latest recruit to the new Northern Super League, comes with a resume that includes successful stops at the University of Guelph, South Alabama and Purdue, as well as an award-winning stint in League
Read more »
New AFC Toronto midfielder Cloey Uddenberg played her part in Canada soccer historyTORONTO — Midfielder Cloey Uddenberg, AFC Toronto's latest recruit to the new Northern Super League, comes with a resume that includes successful stops at the University of Guelph, South Alabama and Purdue, as well as an award-winning stint in League
Read more »