The purpose of this webpage is to intentionally communicate and share the implementation process of the Diversity & Inclusion Task Force & it’s development of an Anti-Discrimination policy for IGR.
On this webpage you will find the following:
International Gay Rugby (IGR) in July 2020 commenced a process of introspection and revision of our internal processes with our first task being creating an antidiscrimination framework for our clubs and administrators.
Using the report authored by Charles Abernathy and Megan Goettsches, we first convened a task force of 14 members (including 3 trustees), and then appointed 2 external consultants to aid us in this work. While we lost 2 members due to personal reasons, we added 3 and have achieved much progress.
We now are in the process of creating a mission and vision statement that will reflect IGR’s growth and maturation. We will then create the framework for antidiscrimination that IGR member clubs and societies will be required to adopt.
This framework will create the following for each club: a) Antidiscrimination and antibullying policy, b) Grievance and mitigation procedures, and c) Continuous Education requirements for all club/society members. Part A will be required to cover racism, transphobia, sexism, ableism/accessibility, and socioeconomic discrimination.
We have found ourselves a month behind schedule which is understandable given that we had 2 members of the steering group withdraw for personal reasons, and due to the nature of accommodating other members’ individual schedules.
We are also doing this during a global pandemic which is forcing us to adjust and adapt our plans “on the fly”. We hope to convene by end of January 2021 regional groups that will create culturally- and geographically-specific antidiscrimination plans, on the above framework.
One area we need help is in translation. Due to not having a budget for this work, we depend on the kindness of qualified experts to provide us translation in Spanish (at the moment). We foresee needing additional translation services in French and possibly Italian and Japanese.
That said, because our work is unprecedented and critical to our identity as an organization based on justice, fairness and equity in global rugby, we make no apologies for taking the time we need to get this work done correctly.
Thank you for the support you have given us and we look forward to delivering our promises to our family and community.
With you,
Bhuttu Mathews, Vice-Chair
IGR International Gay Rugby
Chat Force – December 2020
Bhuttu Mathews, IGR Vice-Chair gets a status update for the IGR Anti-Discrimination Task Force with the IGR Diveristy & Inclusion Lead, Charles Abernethy.
Chat Force – February 2021
Task Force Lead Charles Abernathy and Vice-Chair Bhuttu Mathews have an extended update & discussion on the progress of the Diversity & Inclusion Task Force.
Chat Force – August 2021
Task Force Lead Charles Abernathy and Vice-Chair Bhuttu Mathews have an extended update & discussion on the progress of the Diversity & Inclusion Task Force.
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