Toronto Soccer Team Sparks Debate on Gender Inclusion in Sports
A recreational soccer team in Toronto is raising concerns about the inclusivity of its league’s gender policy, sparking a broader discussion on accessibility and support for LGBTQ+ athletes. Evergreen FC, a team comprised of female, LGBTQ+, and gender diverse members, has been playing in the women’s division of Stadium Sport Leagues since 2022. Last month, the league informed Evergreen FC that members who are not registered as “female” could only play on co-ed teams. The league cited complaints from other players who felt “unsafe” playing against Evergreen FC, claiming its policy is in line with other adult recreational leagues in the region. However,Riley Yesno,Evergreen FC’s co-captain,refutes these claims. “Our team is fully queer,” Yesno said, emphasizing that they have not received any disciplinary action or yellow cards that woudl warrant such a complaint.”If you’re not allowed to question people’s gender, I don’t know how they thought they would enforce that,” she added, referring to a gender inclusion policy she helped create for the league last year. Yesno had drafted the policy to prevent the questioning of players’ gender identities, establishing consequences such as red cards for violators. While the league adopted the policy, it was recently updated without Yesno’s knowledge, requiring those registered as “unknown” or “other” to only play in co-ed leagues, without the option for male or female leagues. Yesno pointed out that co-ed leagues are not always a safe or welcoming surroundings for gender-diverse individuals, citing instances of physical and verbal altercations that are less common in women’s games. Following Evergreen FC’s concerns, the league reversed its decision, allowing individuals who identify as “other” or “unknown” to play in the women’s league. The change was attributed to a “collective decision” made by team representatives during policy discussions, according to internal emails. Stadium Sport Leagues issued a statement asserting its commitment to inclusivity: “Stadium Sport Leagues is passionate about the sport of soccer and aims to provide a safe place for any athlete to play. Our leagues are open to everyone, and we have an option for all.” In response to the controversy, Yesno launched an online petition, calling for more inclusive policy changes that embrace non-binary, transgender, and gender-diverse individuals. the petition, which has garnered over 1,000 signatures, also highlights examples from organizations like Canada Soccer, the International Olympic Committee, and the NCAA, all of which have implemented gender inclusion policies. High-profile transgender athletes have also expressed their support for Yesno and her team. A Toronto-based recreational soccer team is grappling with a new league policy that they say discriminates against transgender and non-binary athletes. Evergreen FC, a team that plays for fun and camaraderie, has found itself at the center of a controversy after the league imposed a policy restricting transgender and non-binary individuals from choosing the team that aligns best with their gender identity. Val Bonifaz,a player for evergreen FC,expressed deep disappointment with the league’s decision,stating,”This is not a step forward in terms of trans-inclusive policy.Because that leaves out the choice for people like myself to go where I feel safe playing, whether that’s a men’s league, a co-ed league or a women’s league. … It’s all of us or it’s none of us, in my opinion.” The team is now contemplating their future in the league, with league organizer YesNo stating, “We see the league as a hostile and unsafe environment.” This issue extends beyond the local recreational league, reflecting a broader debate surrounding transgender athletes’ participation in sports. in Alberta, Canada, a bill is poised to become law that would prohibit transgender athletes from competing in female amateur sports and mandate that schools and organizations report eligibility concerns. In the United States, the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics sparked controversy earlier this year by implementing a new policy allowing all athletes to participate in men’s sports at its 241 member colleges. Though, women’s sports participation remains restricted to athletes whose biological sex assigned at birth is female and who have not begun hormone therapy. Adding fuel to the fire, 16 U.S. college athletes filed a lawsuit against the National Collegiate Athletic association in March, alleging that the NCAA violated their civil rights by permitting transgender woman Lia Thomas to compete in the national swimming championships in 2022. “Gender discrimination can happen anywhere,” cautioned Bonifaz. “We’re not immune to it,and I think we have to be very vigilant about how we’re speaking about these things that are reaching far beyond just Toronto.” Despite the challenges, Evergreen FC has found solace in the outpouring of support from the community. “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,” Bonifaz shared. Bonifaz offered a message of hope and solidarity to young athletes who identify as non-binary, transgender, or gender diverse: “I think it’s important to know that we are here. We’ve always been here and always will be,” they said. “I think if you look in the right places, you’ll find a lot of support.”## Archyde Interviews Riley Yesno: “Our Team Just Wants to Play”
**Today on Archyde, we’re speaking with Riley Yesno, co-captain of Evergreen FC, a Toronto-based recreational soccer team facing controversy over their league’s gender inclusion policy.**
**Riley, thank you for joining us.**
**Riley Yesno:** Thanks for having me.
**Let’s delve right into the issue at hand. Evergreen FC faced a recent decision by Stadium Sport Leagues that woudl have restricted teammates who are not registered as “female” to only playing on co-ed teams. What was your initial reaction to this policy change?**
**Riley Yesno:** Frankly, it was shocking and deeply hurtful. Our team is fully Queer, and we’ve always played in the women’s division without incident. To suddenly be told we weren’t welcome felt discriminatory and went against the spirit of inclusivity the league claims to uphold. [1]
**The league cited complaints from other players who expressed feeling “unsafe” playing against Evergreen FC. How do you respond to these concerns?**
**Riley Yesno:** These claims are baseless. We’ve never received any disciplinary action or yellow cards that suggest problematic behavior on the field.[1] Is the league seriously suggesting they would question our genders if they didn’t feel safe? Accusing us of causing distress without any evidence is simply prejudiced.
**I understand you played a key role in drafting a gender inclusion policy for the league last year. Can you tell us more about that?**
**Riley Yesno:** I worked hard to create a policy that protected players from harassment and discrimination based on gender identity. It explicitly prohibited questioning someone’s gender on the field and included consequences like red cards for violators. [1] The league adopted this policy,but recently amended it without consulting me,forcing those registered as “unknown” or ”other” to play only on co-ed teams,effectively excluding them from the women’s league. This is a direct contradiction to the spirit of the original policy.
**You’ve mentioned that co-ed leagues are not always safe spaces for gender-diverse individuals. Could you elaborate on that?**
**Riley Yesno:** Unluckily, experiences of verbal and even physical harassment are more common in co-ed leagues for trans and non-binary folks. it’s a reality we shouldn’t have to face while simply trying to enjoy the sport we love. [1] Women’s leagues, for many of us, have become safe havens where we can express ourselves freely without fear of judgment.
**The league eventually reversed its decision after facing pressure from Evergreen FC and public outcry. How do you feel about this outcome?**
**Riley Yesno:** While we’re relieved that the league reversed their decision, it’s frustrating that it took such a public outcry to achieve a basic level of inclusivity. [1] This situation exposed significant flaws in the league’s decision-making process and highlights the need for stronger and more comprehensive gender inclusion policies moving forward.
**What message do you have for other LGBTQ+ athletes who might be facing similar challenges? **
**Riley Yesno:** You are not alone. Don’t be afraid to speak up, to demand better and to fight for your right to play comfortably and authentically. We’re seeing fantastic strides in inclusivity in sports,but we still have a long way to go.
** Riley, thank you for sharing your perspective and for your advocacy for a more inclusive sporting landscape. We applaud your courage and wish Evergreen FC all the best in the future.**
**riley Yesno:** Thank you. Now, let’s get back to playing.
