LGBTQ+

Every LGBTQ+ karateka has their own experience, and support should reflect each individual’s needs.
For many, karate remains unchanged. What matters is knowing you can be yourself, that inappropriate comments or behaviour will not be dismissed, and that any concerns will be listened to and treated with respect.

Clubs do not need to know every detail about someone’s identity to make them feel welcome. What matters most is the culture in the dojo: the language we use, the behaviour we accept, the assumptions we challenge, and whether everyone is treated as an equal member of our karate community.

The best approach is simple: do not assume, listen when someone chooses to share, respect their privacy, and treat every person as a karateka first.

Karate offers more than physical activity. It builds friendships, confidence and a strong sense of community. We want LGBTQ+ people to know that they are welcome and valued in our karate community.

If you are transgender, you should be able to come to karate feeling comfortable, respected and confident that you belong. You should not be treated differently or made to feel that your identity is a problem.

Competition requires a careful balance. A woman competing in the women's category should feel confident that the category is fair and safe, and that it gives her a genuine opportunity to compete on equal terms. In kumite, where athletes strike one another, these considerations are important.

The EKF aims to protect both inclusion and competitive fairness. We will use the World Karate Federation's approach and the International Olympic Committee's guidance as important frameworks when developing our own competition rules. Both recognise the need to balance participation with fairness, safety, dignity and privacy.

Our aim is simple: transgender karateka should feel that karate is for them, and women competing in the female category should feel that their opportunity to compete fairly is protected.

Any eligibility rules should be clear, respectful, confidential, and based on an established policy, never on someone's appearance, assumptions, or prejudice.

These resources are just a starting point.

As the EKF continues to develop our inclusion work, we want better to understand the experiences of LGBTQ+ people in karate and identify where more karate-specific guidance, education, or support would be helpful.

This means listening to LGBTQ+ karateka, families, clubs, and coaches; reviewing our current materials; and working with organisations with specialist knowledge. Building an inclusive community is a shared journey.

We want inclusion to be visible in every part of karate. No one should ever have to question whether karate is for them because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Karate is for you because you are a karateka. You are always welcome here.