The Chicago Metropolitan Sports Association ( CMSA ) updated its policy and procedures manual in late June, adding further step in support of transgender and gender nonconforming ( GNC ) people, and bringing the predominantly LGBT sports organization in line with other mainstream sports organizations, such as the NCAA and the International Olympic Committee.
The update states that transgender or GNC athletes may play in any league of their choice and are not required to explain, justify or provide documentation supporting this choice. Furthermore, it is not a requirement for any person to undergo hormone therapy, surgery or other treatment in order to play in a chosen league.
Cisgender athletes may play in any open league and in leagues that correspond with their gender identity, the policy also states.
Michael Erwin, the president of CMSA, said the policy "encourages everyone, regardless of who they are inside or out, to play sports and be comfortable. No members have to try to hide who they are; they can be themselves, no questions asked."
He added, "No member should be made to play on a team solely because of the guidelines we have placed on gender. CMSA is not just a sports organization, but also a community organizations where people come together to be themselves. This policy tells the entire Chicago community that we are open to them joining and we do it with open arms."
Erwin said the immediate response to the new policy has been overwhelmingly positive.
"When you are president of an organization, you get used to hearing more negative than positive. [Since the policy was announced], my email box [has been] full of very positive notes of thanks and support."
Erwin said that, in the fall of 2015, a sport commissioner came to him with concern about a member whose gender no longer matched the gender of the title of the sport. The commissioner asked to allow the person still to play. CMSA did not have a policy in place at the time. So Erwin left it up to the commissioner to decide what to do, and said he'd support the decision.
"In the meantime, I brought the situation to the CMSA board and asked Joshua Dehnke to begin to draft a policy that was in line with other sports organizations across the country," Erwin said. Dehnke is an attorney and spearheaded the new policy plan, talking with experts on the topic both locally and nationally.
"Years ago, a policy was voted on, but not put into the Policy and Procedures Manual. The board looked at the [old] language and decided that we needed to make some adjustments."
Erwin added, "I [can't] think of a better way to cap off a very emotional Pride month. Sending the new policy out days after the pride parade, the successful Pride Bowl and Pride on the Pitch, [tournaments for flag football and soccer, respectively], and getting such positive responses tells me that the hard work of all of our volunteers are doing every day is appreciated and is making CMSA even stronger."
Cyd Zeigler of Outsports.com said transgender people "should be able to play in the recreational league of their choice. Recreational leagues like those under the CMSA umbrella are intended to build character and friendships. It's good to see the organization affirm that with this policy."
Cassidy Fallik, 34—a trans man who has played men's flag football and co-ed soccer under the CMSA banner, and now lives in Oklahoma City—said the "CMSA has, and will always, have a special place in my heart," he said. "It's where I was not only given the chance to rediscover my love of sports and make lifelong friends, but it also gave me the opportunity to build my confidence in myself and in a body I wasn't always too sure about."
When Fallik started, he said he "had no idea what my place in sports would even look like," he said. "Fast forward to today, and I have no hesitation participating in leagues with cisgender males who never even have my gender identity on their radar.
"I want to commend CMSA for their new policy and specifically breaking down the barrier against requiring any person to undergo hormone therapy, surgery or other treatment in order to play in their chosen league. In a time when healthcare, in general, can be so expensive and some might not even choose to pursue medical intervention, it is an important statement to be made. Thank you CMSA for continuing to be a voice and a leader for the LGBT community."
Erwin said CMSA does not track the number of transgender athletes, but added, "I'm happy to report there are transgender athletes playing [in] almost all of our sports."
