Toronto Gay Hockey Association Project
This project explores how 2SLGBTQ adult sport organizations create social change through leadership, inclusion, and community building. Using the TGHA as a case study, the research will document the league's history, examine how organizers foster solidarity within and across organizations, and identify strategies that strengthen inclusive sport.
Overview of Project
The Purpose
The purpose of the project is to:
(1) Understand the experiences of sport organizers in managing sport for social change
(2) To understand how these organizers engage in solidarity and inclusion work in and outside of their sport.
The Context
Most research and policy focused on sport is exclusively focused on youth sport programs and organizations, and very little work has focused on how organizers of adult leagues pursue social change in and through sport. In this context, the proposed research will highlight the work of adult 2SLGBTQ sport organizations to understand how they go about organizing for change both in sport and in their communities.
The Plan
This project will focus on the TGHA as a case study that would unfold in two phases. It would first involve interviewing board members (past and present) as well as conducting archival research. Next, I would look to interview organizers from other gay hockey organizations (e.g., Montreal, Calgary, Halifax) as well as other gay sports organizations in Toronto. Broadly, these two phases would seek to understand how organizations work internally, as well as together across sports and cities.
Outputs
I plan to have research assistants supporting this project. If the board is interested, there are opportunities to direct some resources into co-developing other materials or outputs. For example, we could use the data collected to develop an illustrated history of the league (e.g., for the website). We could also host a symposium on sports inclusion to develop networks, skills, and capacity with other 2SLGBTQ sports organizations.
