Allies
As we are well into our Spring and Summer season and we have lots of new faces joining our group, we wanted to share some important information about Mussels etiquette and rules.
Mussels is a 2SLGBTQ+ and allies hockey group. We promote a safe, comfortable space for everyone to learn and play hockey. As a member or ally of the 2SLGBTQ+ community, this comes with some important responsibilities that will ensure EVERYONE has a positive experience. These responsibilities apply to any player, ref, coach or spectator that participates in any Mussels activity whether on or off the ice, including “spare” and “regular” players.
Being an ally of the 2SLGBTQ+ community comes with responsibilities and doesn’t stop with simply considering oneself an ally. The following is taken from https://gaycenter.org/about/allyship/ and further explains the important roles that allies can play for the 2SLGBTQ+ communities. Please take a moment to review the following information to better understand the vital role that allies play in creating a better space for members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community.
Ally (verb) – to unite or form a connection or relation.
Promoting and encouraging allyship is important for everyone and helps to make the world a more inclusive and affirming place. The impact of LGBTQ-specific allyship also extends beyond benefitting queer identities by decreasing the likelihood of implicit and explicit bias, and removing barriers to true inclusion. We encourage you to activate your allyship and be an active accomplice in supporting marginalized communities.
· Recognize how negative social stereotypes and unconscious beliefs cause harm
· Be intentionally inclusive and avoid making assumptions about others’ identities
· Speak out and speak up when the situation calls for it
· Share & teach what you’ve learned to help others grow
· Be an ACTIVE accomplice 24/7, 365
· Learn about intersectionality to be a better ally to marginalized communities, such as LGBTQ folks; Black people, Indigenous people, and people of color (BIPOC); women; immigrants; and others.
Effective allies are:
· Invested in expanding their own knowledge
· Willing to show up as a positive role model for their peers
· Able to thoughtfully listen and center voices that need to be heard
· Ready to participate in the work required to be an ally, and have a clear stake in the issue.
Choosing to be an ally is a continual, intentional commitment to support all of those facing oppression or disadvantage regardless of identity. Discrimination and oppression don’t simply disappear when allies back down or remain silent. So be bold and take risks!
The above information has been borrowed from https://gaycenter.org/about/allyship/.
Pronouns
For trans, non-binary, or other non-cisgender people, using the correct pronouns validates and affirms they are a person equally deserving of respect and dignity. When people use the right pronouns, they can feel safe and enjoy the moment. When people do not use the right pronouns, that safety is undermined, and they are forced to repeat to the world: "I exist". Intentional and continued disregard for correct pronouns is considered a violation of Mussels rules as doing so does not contribute to a safe and welcoming space for members of our community. This may result in a member being asked to leave the group.
Not sure about a person’s pronouns? There are many ways to communicate without the use of gender-specific pronouns. They, them, folks, people, person – these are all great words that do not assume gender and will make members of our community feel safe, welcomed and included. Plus, you can always ask someone their pronouns. Many players will print their pronouns on their helmets – this is also a great way to introduce yourself to a new friend, and members are encouraged to share their pronouns with their teammates during introductions.
Remember – what may seem like a minor mistake of using an incorrect pronoun can have a profound impact on an individual. If you are present when an incorrect pronoun is used, you are encouraged to politely correct the individual or let them know what their correct pronouns are. If you are unsure of a person’s pronouns, just ask
There are lots of great resources available with more information on pronoun use, and Mussels are encouraged to review these resources.
Participant Conduct
Mussels hockey is a no-contact hockey group. Aggressive behaviour, showboating, ill-spirited chirping, negative attitudes and disparaging comments in any Mussels-related forum will not be tolerated. This includes on and off the ice (such as at Mussels events, online groups / group chats, etc.).
Activity that is considered unacceptable may include: disparaging comments or chirps, repeated and/or intentional misuse of pronouns, homophobia, transphobia, racism, aggressive or unsafe play, repeated end-to-end plays / showboating by more skilled players and exclusion of beginners or less skilled players by refusing to pass the puck or “playing around” other players with a significantly lower skill level. In other words, play nice, play fair, pass the puck.
Captains, refs and organizers are tasked with identifying unacceptable behaviour, and participants can report concerns to any captain, ref or organizer. Organizers can be contacted, in confidence athalifaxmussels@gmail.com. Captains will be announced with teams lists and will remain be announced at the beginning of each game time. We appreciate that in most instances, this does not come from a place of bad intent and usually a polite reminder from a captain, ref or organizer is all that’s needed to rectify most issues. However, repeat or intentional offences may result in a participant being asked to leave the group.
Dressing Rooms
We want everyone to be comfortable at our games and skills sessions. Centennial Arena has three dressing rooms available for us to use at each ice time. There is one room that has been designated as a female-only room by the arena management which is also designated a trans-safe space by Mussels. Additionally, there is two gender-neutral / co-ed change rooms that are assigned to us at each ice time. A captain will be present in each gender-neutral changeroom. Players are welcome to use whichever change room they chose. Concerns over change room facilities can be brought forward to captains or organizers, in confidence. Every effort will be made to accommodate requests that fall outside of the available options within the space limits of the arena.
For non-binary and non-cisgendered individuals and other members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community, the dressing room can invoke feelings of stress or anxiety. All participants are reminded to exercise good judgement and sensitivity around their own conduct and type of language that is used. Remember, the shape of someone’s body does not define their gender and/or pronouns. Please review the section about pronoun use for more information about proper use of pronouns. Participants are encouraged to remind peers and other players if you feel their conduct is not keeping in the spirit of Mussels, and conducive to a safe and welcoming space (if they are comfortable doing so). Everyone deserves to feel safe, included and welcomed.
General concerns about the space made available to Mussels can also be brought to the attention of arena management who are responsible for the overall operation of the building, dressing rooms and public facilities.
Thank you for your attention to our rules, policies and etiquette. While we appreciate that they may fall outside the norm for most hockey groups, they are what makes Mussels Hockey different, welcoming, and most importantly – safe. Your cooperation is absolutely appreciated. And, if you have any suggestions on how to make Mussels better, please pass them along.
Mussels is a 2SLGBTQ+ and allies hockey group. We promote a safe, comfortable space for everyone to learn and play hockey. As a member or ally of the 2SLGBTQ+ community, this comes with some important responsibilities that will ensure EVERYONE has a positive experience. These responsibilities apply to any player, ref, coach or spectator that participates in any Mussels activity whether on or off the ice, including “spare” and “regular” players.
Being an ally of the 2SLGBTQ+ community comes with responsibilities and doesn’t stop with simply considering oneself an ally. The following is taken from https://gaycenter.org/about/allyship/ and further explains the important roles that allies can play for the 2SLGBTQ+ communities. Please take a moment to review the following information to better understand the vital role that allies play in creating a better space for members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community.
Ally (verb) – to unite or form a connection or relation.
Promoting and encouraging allyship is important for everyone and helps to make the world a more inclusive and affirming place. The impact of LGBTQ-specific allyship also extends beyond benefitting queer identities by decreasing the likelihood of implicit and explicit bias, and removing barriers to true inclusion. We encourage you to activate your allyship and be an active accomplice in supporting marginalized communities.
· Recognize how negative social stereotypes and unconscious beliefs cause harm
· Be intentionally inclusive and avoid making assumptions about others’ identities
· Speak out and speak up when the situation calls for it
· Share & teach what you’ve learned to help others grow
· Be an ACTIVE accomplice 24/7, 365
· Learn about intersectionality to be a better ally to marginalized communities, such as LGBTQ folks; Black people, Indigenous people, and people of color (BIPOC); women; immigrants; and others.
Effective allies are:
· Invested in expanding their own knowledge
· Willing to show up as a positive role model for their peers
· Able to thoughtfully listen and center voices that need to be heard
· Ready to participate in the work required to be an ally, and have a clear stake in the issue.
Choosing to be an ally is a continual, intentional commitment to support all of those facing oppression or disadvantage regardless of identity. Discrimination and oppression don’t simply disappear when allies back down or remain silent. So be bold and take risks!
The above information has been borrowed from https://gaycenter.org/about/allyship/.
Pronouns
For trans, non-binary, or other non-cisgender people, using the correct pronouns validates and affirms they are a person equally deserving of respect and dignity. When people use the right pronouns, they can feel safe and enjoy the moment. When people do not use the right pronouns, that safety is undermined, and they are forced to repeat to the world: "I exist". Intentional and continued disregard for correct pronouns is considered a violation of Mussels rules as doing so does not contribute to a safe and welcoming space for members of our community. This may result in a member being asked to leave the group.
Not sure about a person’s pronouns? There are many ways to communicate without the use of gender-specific pronouns. They, them, folks, people, person – these are all great words that do not assume gender and will make members of our community feel safe, welcomed and included. Plus, you can always ask someone their pronouns. Many players will print their pronouns on their helmets – this is also a great way to introduce yourself to a new friend, and members are encouraged to share their pronouns with their teammates during introductions.
Remember – what may seem like a minor mistake of using an incorrect pronoun can have a profound impact on an individual. If you are present when an incorrect pronoun is used, you are encouraged to politely correct the individual or let them know what their correct pronouns are. If you are unsure of a person’s pronouns, just ask
There are lots of great resources available with more information on pronoun use, and Mussels are encouraged to review these resources.
Participant Conduct
Mussels hockey is a no-contact hockey group. Aggressive behaviour, showboating, ill-spirited chirping, negative attitudes and disparaging comments in any Mussels-related forum will not be tolerated. This includes on and off the ice (such as at Mussels events, online groups / group chats, etc.).
Activity that is considered unacceptable may include: disparaging comments or chirps, repeated and/or intentional misuse of pronouns, homophobia, transphobia, racism, aggressive or unsafe play, repeated end-to-end plays / showboating by more skilled players and exclusion of beginners or less skilled players by refusing to pass the puck or “playing around” other players with a significantly lower skill level. In other words, play nice, play fair, pass the puck.
Captains, refs and organizers are tasked with identifying unacceptable behaviour, and participants can report concerns to any captain, ref or organizer. Organizers can be contacted, in confidence athalifaxmussels@gmail.com. Captains will be announced with teams lists and will remain be announced at the beginning of each game time. We appreciate that in most instances, this does not come from a place of bad intent and usually a polite reminder from a captain, ref or organizer is all that’s needed to rectify most issues. However, repeat or intentional offences may result in a participant being asked to leave the group.
Dressing Rooms
We want everyone to be comfortable at our games and skills sessions. Centennial Arena has three dressing rooms available for us to use at each ice time. There is one room that has been designated as a female-only room by the arena management which is also designated a trans-safe space by Mussels. Additionally, there is two gender-neutral / co-ed change rooms that are assigned to us at each ice time. A captain will be present in each gender-neutral changeroom. Players are welcome to use whichever change room they chose. Concerns over change room facilities can be brought forward to captains or organizers, in confidence. Every effort will be made to accommodate requests that fall outside of the available options within the space limits of the arena.
For non-binary and non-cisgendered individuals and other members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community, the dressing room can invoke feelings of stress or anxiety. All participants are reminded to exercise good judgement and sensitivity around their own conduct and type of language that is used. Remember, the shape of someone’s body does not define their gender and/or pronouns. Please review the section about pronoun use for more information about proper use of pronouns. Participants are encouraged to remind peers and other players if you feel their conduct is not keeping in the spirit of Mussels, and conducive to a safe and welcoming space (if they are comfortable doing so). Everyone deserves to feel safe, included and welcomed.
General concerns about the space made available to Mussels can also be brought to the attention of arena management who are responsible for the overall operation of the building, dressing rooms and public facilities.
Thank you for your attention to our rules, policies and etiquette. While we appreciate that they may fall outside the norm for most hockey groups, they are what makes Mussels Hockey different, welcoming, and most importantly – safe. Your cooperation is absolutely appreciated. And, if you have any suggestions on how to make Mussels better, please pass them along.
