The Brawlin’ Betties recognize that ongoing anti-trans bias and trans-exclusionary behaviors, both implicit and explicit, have been and continue to be a source of immense pain in the roller derby community. As a league, it is our responsibility to listen to and uplift trans voices within our community about the issues they experience and how we can face those issues together. We will continue to fight alongside our trans community members to build a world that protects and celebrates the lives of all trans people. 

Following our parent association, The Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA), we recognize that identifying as transgender, intersex, and/or gender expansive is not in any way related to an individual’s eligibility for participating as a member of our league. Our league welcomes every person who would like to skate, volunteer, or referee with us. Our league is both committed to creating a climate in our league that is welcoming and inclusive of transgender, intersex, and gender expansive participants, and collectively creating and realizing a vision of roller derby that prioritizes trans members’ visions for our sport. Any conduct which fosters a hostile environment for any participant on the basis of gender identity will not be tolerated in our league—we keep us safe, as an injury to one is an injury to all.

We urge our members, fans, and fellow community members to visit transathlete.com and utilize their action items to help fight transphobic legislation across the nation.