Being inclusive is also a matter of making sure that the way that we train is accessible. It's not just about doing 500 Press-ups. We need to teach techniques and movements that work for everyone at all times through a multi-layered, multi-systemic understanding of what a learning environment is.

Because if the actual core curriculum excludes people, then you haven't actually made progress.

One of the gaps that prevent most spaces from creating an inclusive environment is motivation. Currently, there are 51 clubs registered through Village Dojo.

The way I get clubs to join Village Dojo is by first choosing a city and searching ‘martial arts classes’. Then, I email every single martial art class. Ultimately, maybe two reply.

Every now and again, you'll just get classes that believe their space is open to LGBTQI+ folks because it is ‘open to everyone’.

But people have to acknowledge their space isn't actually open to everyone.

I'm quite a big guy, and I have to acknowledge that when people look at me, they might find me aggressive, intimidating, many different things – so I have to acknowledge my own position, and how people will position me in having even the most basic discussions.

Because people will look at me and they'll think, “Oh, you look someone who will shout at us unless we're aggressive in martial arts, and so on.”

To be able to say, “Hello, welcome, it's lovely to see you,” is the first most important thing we can do to anyone in any environment.

I've had white straight men say to me, “Is this really necessary? In this day and age, that we need to sign on to Village Dojo?”

Well, yes, it is. Unless you're saying it is a problem, you're not recognizing it. It’s like the old American army line, “Don't Ask, Don't Tell.”

They take a view of not being bothered, and of not caring about what we are. But actually, if you don't care who I am, you don't care about me, do you?

Continued: https://www.pixstory.com/story/degendersports-we-as-lgbtq-people-have-had-our-existence-questioned-from-the-day-were-born1680663456/208485