What is...?

Diversity?

Diversity and variety are often used as synonyms. Diversity describes more precisely the variety of characteristics, qualities and elements of different people and points out their differences.

Diversity can have many dimensions. Gender diversity is usually understood in the context of diversity. However, origin, religion, age and integration are also part of a diverse society.

And why is that important?

Sport should bring people together. Different people pursue the same goals in sport - exercise, health, improvement and social contact.

These experiences are not the same for everyone. In a study conducted by the Cologne Sport University, 16% of the active athletes surveyed reported negative experiences in the last 12 months due to their own sexual orientation and gender identity.The range of negative experiences is wide, from verbal abuse and insults to physically crossing boundaries or violence. Trans* people in particular were heavily overrepresented here compared to cisgender people.

Not everyone has the same needs and can make equal use of sports facilities.The German Disabled Sports Association points out the need to catch up in the field of disabled sports. Only 7% of German sports clubs also have offers for people with disabilities. There are too many barriers to participation in sport for people with disabilities in Germany, which means that other aspects of social participation are also lost.

You are sport too! What the framework conditions allow must be implemented by the athletes. That's why we want to help you close gaps in your knowledge and treat other people with respect and understanding.

What is... ?

Asexuality describes someone who does not experience sexual attraction toward individuals of any gender. It is a sexual orientation, and is different from celibacy, in that celibacy is the choice to refrain from engaging in sexual behaviors and does not comment on one’s sexual attractions. How asexuality manifests itself is individual and rarely transferable. Asexual people often feel romantic interest, but not sexual interest.

Gender is divided into three levels: physical characteristics, gender identity and gender expression. Physical gender is only one part of this and describes the characteristics of different parts of the body. In addition to classic male and female, there are also people who cannot be clearly categorized on a physical level. The physical characteristics do not have to match the gender identity.

Gender expression describes the external effect and is based exclusively on stereotypical ideas of gender roles. Gender expression includes, for example, clothing, hairstyles, hobbies or abilities - things that have nothing to do with gender, but are nevertheless associated with it.

Gender identity is about how we see ourselves in terms of gender. Gender identity is shaped by socio-cultural development. The gender identity does not have to match the assigned gender. One's own self-image and (gender) identity usually develop during childhood and puberty. Gender identity does not have to be male or female, but can also lie somewhere in between or outside.

Heteronormativity describes a norm in society in which it is assumed that people are either male or female and like the “opposite sex”. It does not address people who have a different sexual orientation or gender identity and ignores or trivializes the problems and discrimination that these people face. The goal of a diverse society should be that there is no one norm, but that everyone is equally entitled and considered.

Inter* is the term for people whose different physical sex characteristics cannot be clearly assigned to a male or female category from a medical point of view. Inter* people can identify as male, female, non-binary or other. The asterisk stands for many possible self-designations.