OU’s Quidditch team is taking Title IX a step further to create a playing environment of total equality by not only including male and female players, but also players who don’t identify within the binary gender system.
EDITORIAL>>We commend OU Qudditch for its equality policies
The rule is outlined by the US Quidditch Association’s Rulebook under Title 9 3/4 and states that each team can only have a maximum of four players who identify as the same gender.
In simpler terms, the gender rule essentially ensures that every player on the field must be able to see at least two other players on the field who won’t identify as the same gender as themselves, said Zach Little, secretary and acting president of OU Quidditch.
The goal of Title 9 3/4 is to not only to create equality but also a large range of diversity on the teams, according to the US Quidditch website.
Luz Gutierrez, OU Quidditch librarian and chaser and keeper for the team, said the equality and diversity is what she loves most about being a part of OU Quidditch.
“I’m a huge feminist,” Gutierrez said. “We just put everything out there, and it’s never a problem. No one is ever going to judge.”
This nonjudgmental environment is another aspect of OU Quidditch that draws students in, despite differences team members may have in gender, sexual orientation or religious beliefs.
“We just make the environment welcoming so that they won’t be afraid and will want to join,” Gutierrez said.
Last year the team included members who identified as transgender, and this year the team has atheists playing along with devout Christians, OU Quidditch captain Andrew Gillingham said. Gillingham, who is bisexual, said he feels completely comfortable being open about his sexuality on the team.
“Everyone is polar opposites and it just works,” Gillingham said.
Last year was the first time OU Quidditch participated in tournaments, and now the team is certified to play in other tournaments throughout the season.
While the team doesn’t have tryouts open at the time, students interested in joining the team can show up at one of the practices and learn the game, Little said.
If there’s enough interest, an A and B team could be created to accommodate players with different skill levels, Little said.
For more information about joining the team or to find out where practices will be held, visit the group’s Facebook page.
