The VUL welcomes players of all genders and sexual orientations!
2SLGBTQIA+ is an acronym used to refer to Two-Spirit (2S), Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer, Intersex, Asexual, and Aromantic identities. Placing the 2S at the beginning of the acronym is a way of centering Indigenous peoples and recognizing the unique harm colonization has had, and continues to have, on Two-Spirit communities. The + sign is used to denote other identities within the community that are not reflected in the current acronym.
For more information on terms, see our glossary.
VUL Initiatives
Ultimate Canada Conference Workshop
In 2018, the VUL and Rain City Ultimate partnered together to run a workshop at the Ultimate Canada Conference called 'How Can We Make Ultimate LGBTQ2S+ Inclusive'. About 40 people attended and came up with several ideas on the topics of team culture, league policies, organizational culture and communication.
Pride Campaign
During Pride month in 2018, we showed our support for 2SLGBTQIA+ members and ran a social media campaign featuring 2SLGBTQIA+ members of our community.
Trans Inclusivity
We made changes to our policies in 2017 to be more trans inclusive. See the full details on our trans inclusivity page.
2SLGBTQIA+ Pride Stickers
The VUL teamed up with Rain City Ultimate to create Pride Stickers.
Local/Community Resources
Rain City Ultimate
Rain City Ultimate is a separate organization from the VUL that was created for 2SLGBTQIA+ Ultimate players and allies in Vancouver. Rain City runs practices, clinics and teams (that compete in VUL leagues and tournaments). Read more on the Rain City Ultimate Facebook page.
2SLGBTQIA+ Ulti Facebook group
There’s an active Facebook group for 2SLGBTQIA+ Ultimate players to connect and play tournaments together.
Qmunity
BC’s Queer, Trans and Two-Spirit Resource Centre located at Davie and Bute.
Media Resources in Ultimate
Lesbian, Gay, Bi & Queer
- The Family We Choose – Upwind Ultimate, by Bert Abbott (2017)
- Where Are All the Gay Guys? –Sky’d Magazine, by Will Neff (2016)
- We Are Here: A Response To “Where Are All The Gay Guys?” – Sky’d Magazine, by Charles Naurath (2016)
- Playing It Out – LGBT Issues in Sport – University of Connecticut, by Abigail Mace (2016)
- Elliot Trotter is Openly Gay Professional Frisbee Player – Out Sports, by Cyd Zeigler (2013)
- Gay-friendly Ultimate 'Frisbee' launches professional American Ultimate Disc League – Out Sports, by Cyd Zeigler (2012)
Transgender, Gender Diversity & Non-Binary
- Reimagining Gender Inclusivity in Sports by Jenna Weiner (2019)
- The New USAU Transgender Policy, by Jenna Weiner (2018)
- Boycotting the Binary. Sky'd Magazine, by Corey Wakefield (2018)
- Spirit of the Boycott: Trans Marginalization in Ultimate. Sky'd Magazine, by Mina Carpenter & Betsy Merbitz (2018)
- Transgender Policy Updates and Non-Updates: USA Ultimate, Ultimate Canada, and More – Sky’d Magazine, by Jenna Weiner (2018)
- My Experience as a Transgender Woman in the Ultimate Community - Sky'd Magazine, by Ashleigh Buch (2018)
- Transgender player found immediate acceptance in Ultimate – Out Sports, by Jenna Weiner (2017)
- Gender is a Spectrum – Upwind Ultimate, by Lucy Brown (2017)
- Competitive Advantage and Transgender People – Sky’d Magazine, by Jenna Weiner (2017)
- A Trans Man’s Perspective – Sky’d Magazine, by Corey Alexander (2016)
- Ultimate Frisbee Players Become Ultimate Volunteers, Lending a Hand to Repeal HB2 – Human Rights Campaign, Maddie Majerus (2016)
- WFDF Establishes Transgender Athlete Policy – Ultiworld, by Charlie Eisenhood (2016)
Supporting 2SLGBTQIA+ players in Ultimate
- Champions of Inclusion: An Online Course for Coaches and Athletic Leaders on LGBTQ Inclusion in Athletics (2018)
- VUL Celebrates Pride Month - Vancouver Ultimate League website (2018)
- Athlete Coming out stories – Out Sports (Ongoing)
- USA Ultimate Pledges Support to LGBT Community With Help From Five, Discraft – USA Ultimate (2016)
- Update: Ultimate Frisbee League reverses decision, will let players wear rainbows in N.C. – Out Sports, by Cyd Zeigler (2016)
- USAU Announces Rainbow Discs, Other Anti-HB2 Efforts For College Championships – Ultiworld, Steve Sullivan (2016)
- Luckily, my roommate wasn’t Ravi – Sky’d Magazine, Richard Dalton Jr (2012)
If you have a resource to be added to this page, please contact our Marketing Manager at mm@vul.ca.