Egale Canada : Keynote Speaker

Join us at the 2019 RCA National Conference to hear from session speaker Rowen Nyman, from Egale Canada Human Rights Trust (Egale), supported by the Alberta Rowing Association.  The conference theme is ‘Invest in our Best’ by ensuring the leaders of rowing in Canada are equipped with the tools needed on and off the water to enable our sport to thrive! 

Canada’s True Sport Principles call on athletes and athletic organizations to respect and welcome all potential competitors or teammates. Despite these guiding values, social and structural barriers continue to hinder trans and intersex Canadians from participating in many sports. Gendered spaces, administrative hurdles, and social stigma can each contribute to an unintentionally transphobic environment. If we are to embody the values of good sportsmanship, we must acknowledge and do our best to break down any obstacles impacting current and future members of our community.

By the end of this session, participants will have a better understanding of gender identity and gender expression as components of a person’s identity and as grounds protected in human rights legislation. Participants will also explore the ways in which popular myths and traditional sports structures continue to disenfranchise trans and gender diverse Canadian athletes. Consideration will be given to how these issues play out in both competitive and recreational rowing environments, and how coaches, administrators, umpires, and athletes can help to foster safer and more inclusive spaces for trans and gender diverse Canadian rowers.

“We are thrilled to partner with RCA to bring this important topic to light,” said ARA President, Peter Walsh. “Everyone has the right to enjoy their sport in a safe and inclusive environment that is free of abuse, harassment or discrimination. We look forward to learning from Rowen Nyman at Egale.”

Speaker: Rowen Nyman

Rowen is a queer and non-binary educator and researcher. They have worked in mental health, youth empowerment, and LBGTQI2S+ community building. They are passionate about creating safer spaces for queer, trans, and gender non-conforming people in all areas of life.

Egale Canada Human Rights Trust (Egale) is Canada’s only national charity promoting lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, intersex, queer, and Two Spirit (LGBTQI2S) human rights. Egale works to improve the lives of LGBTQI2S people in Canada and to enhance the global response to LGBTQI2S issues by informing public policy, inspiring cultural change, and promoting human rights and inclusion through research, education, and community engagement. Egale’s vision is a Canada, and ultimately a world, without homophobia, biphobia, transphobia and all other forms of oppression so that every person can achieve their full potential, free from hatred and bias. 

This session will benefit all Canadian sport leaders! Join RCA and the Alberta Rowing Association for this engaging session at the 2019 RCA National Conference on Saturday, January 26, 2019 from 1:00-2:30pm!

To register for this session, click here.

To register for the conference, click here.

This session is brought to you by the Alberta Rowing Association.