PHF Updates Transgender and Non-Binary Inclusion Policy
Policy Enhanced in Partnership with Athlete Ally and Chris Mosier
October 15, 2021 (New York, NY) — The Premier Hockey Federation today announced an updated Transgender and Non-Binary Inclusion Policy that is effective immediately for the 2021-22 season. The federation’s policy was enhanced with consultation from Athlete Ally, a non-profit LGBTQI+ athletic advocacy group focused on making athletic communities more inclusive and less discriminatory, and Chris Mosier, a transgender hall of fame triathlete, All-American duathlete, 6-time member of Team USA, and the founder of TransAthlete.com.
“Transgender and non-binary athletes deserve equal opportunity to compete in the Premier Hockey Federation and we embrace our power and responsibility as leaders to make progressive change,” said PHF Commissioner Tyler Tumminia. “Thank you to Athlete Ally and Chris Mosier for your guidance and support during this evolutionary process by educating our members and helping to reshape our policy as part of the PHF’s ongoing commitment to inclusivity.”
“I had the opportunity to work on the first transgender inclusion policy for the league in 2016 and I’m thrilled to be a part of the process again, especially with an emphasis on including non-binary athletes who are too often erased from sport policy,” said Chris Mosier. “The PHF has clearly demonstrated its commitment to intentionally reviewing inclusion policies so they remain current and responsive to transgender and non-binary inclusion and sports more broadly.”
“The PHF leads by example in prioritizing the inclusion, health and safety of all athletes in the league. Fairness in hockey and the inclusion of transgender and non-binary athletes are not at odds with one another,” said Anne Lieberman, Athlete Ally’s Director of Policy & Programs. “We become a stronger sports community when we make sports welcoming and accessible for all.”
“Transgender and non-binary athletes play hockey for the same reasons my teammates and I do — for the love of the game, for the community and camaraderie, and to challenge and push ourselves to the best of our abilities,” said Mallory Souliotis of the Boston Pride. “I am so proud to play for a league that is leading the way to ensure all athletes feel safe, welcomed and respected in hockey.”
The PHF announced the launch of its community partnership with Athlete Ally and Chris Mosier in June. In addition to consultation on PHF policy, Anne Lieberman, Athlete Ally’s Director of Policy & Programs, and Chris Mosier will provide virtual training on transgender and non-binary inclusion for PHF board of governors, executives and front office staff, coaches, and for players on all six teams. This training will raise individual awareness on complex issues, recognize opportunities to build inclusive policy frameworks, and to respectfully administer the league’s standards. They will also help players looking for additional support and training in using their platforms to support transgender and non-binary inclusion in sport.
The complete policy excerpted from the PHF Bylaws may be viewed online here.
The puck drops for the PHF season on Saturday November 6, 2021 with all six teams in action to launch opening weekend including a rematch of the Isobel Cup final between the Boston Pride and Minnesota Whitecaps.
About Premier Hockey Federation (PHF)
The PHF is the leading home of professional women’s hockey in North America. Established in 2015 as the National Women’s Hockey League, the NWHL rebranded to become the PHF in 2021 and maintains the mission to provide strong role models and fuel the continued growth of the sport. The league is made up of the Boston Pride, Buffalo Beauts, Connecticut Whale, Metropolitan Riveters, Minnesota Whitecaps, and the Toronto Six who all compete annually for the Isobel Cup.
About Athlete Ally
Athlete Ally believes sport will change the world when it welcomes and empowers all people. As a leading national nonprofit working at the intersection of sport and LGBTQI+ equality, Athlete Ally works to end the structural and systemic oppression that isolates, excludes, and endangers LGBTQI+ people in sport. We educate individuals and institutions to understand obstacles to inclusion for LGBTQI+ people and how they can build an inclusive culture within their athletic communities. We work to ensure sport governing bodies, teams and leagues adopt policies that reflect the diversity of their constituents. We incubate athlete activism to advance LGBTQI+ equality in and through sport.
About TransAthlete and Chris Mosier
TransAthlete.com is the leading resource for the inclusion of transgender people in sport. Created in 2013, the site has tracked policies and best practices and compiled and generated resources for inclusion at all levels of play. The site was created by trailblazing athlete Chris Mosier, a Team USA athlete, national champion, and Olympic trials competitor, after his own experience as a transgender man transitioning in sport. Chris’ personal mission and the website’s goal is to make sport more inclusive for everyone, regardless of gender identity or expression.
Media Contact
Paul Krotz
PHF Senior Vice President of Communications
647-505-8010
pkrotz@nwhlhq.com