our philosophy
Who We Are
Balle Molle Queer Softball (BMQS) is a recreational softball league created by and for people from the 2SLGBTQIA+ communities of Montreal and surrounding areas.
Territorial Acknowledgement
BMQS activities take place on unceded Indigenous lands known as Tiohtiá:ke for the Kanien’kehá:ka, Mooniyang for the Anishinaabeg, and Montréal.
Rationale
BMQS was born out of the understanding that Queer people, particularly trans people, encounter multiple forms of discrimination, violence, and systemic obstacles in the world of sports. BMQS strives to create a welcoming, inclusive and safer space where individuals from 2SLGBTQIA+ communities can express themselves authentically, while enjoying the benefits of physical activity and camaraderie.
Queer?
The BMQS league welcomes to its teams all people who identify as Queer and/or as part of the 2SLGBTQIA+ communities. We understand the term Queer broadly and inclusively as anyone who does not identify as cisgender-heterosexual. We deliberately choose to define this term by saying what it is not, in order to reflect its fluid and non-normative nature.
Objectives
Our primary objectives are to foster community connections, build social support, and promote physical and mental well-being and resilience within Queer communities. Through softball, participants engage in a recreational sport, and can build meaningful relationships and support networks.
Fun and Competition
BMQS is an amateur sports league that emphasizes fun rather than athletic performance. All members of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities are welcome, regardless of their level of physical or athletic ability. BMQS is committed to implementing accommodations that will allow greater access to our activities.
community agreement
As members of the BMQS community, we commit to creating an inclusive, respectful and fun environment for all. Understanding that Queer people are discriminated against, we choose to enact anti-oppressive values, and recognize that individual and collective work must be done to avoid reproducing these discriminations towards other marginalized groups. We recognize that the work of deconstructing our internalized biases is an ongoing process.
We stand in solidarity with all struggles against various forms of oppression, and encourage members’ involvement in the struggle for the liberation of all.
This Community Agreement is only a small piece of what we can do to ensure that everyone feels at home in the league. It’s important to note that the Community Agreement is not set in stone, but is open to improvements and suggestions.
Together, we agree to the following fundamental principles:
Community spaces are more meaningful for some people than for others. We take the time to think about our place in public spaces, to recognize the privileges we enjoy, and make sure to make space for others.
Gender diversity and sexual orientation
The term Queer encompasses a diversity of gender identities, sexual and romantic orientations, practices and interests. We do not take for granted that our marginal identities make us allies for everyone. We commit to:
- Respecting people’s pronouns: For example, not assuming people’s pronouns, using gender-neutral language or asking for people’s pronouns and respecting them.
- Here’s a short guide to gender-neutral pronouns, for reference.
- Using gender-neutral language: Using terms that are neither feminine nor masculine) when addressing people, avoiding using terms like “girls”, “ladies”, “guys”, “boys”). Using gender-neutral terms like “everyone”, “folks”, “people”, “the group”, “players”, etc.”
- Avoiding discriminatory comments about people’s gender identity, gender expression, sexual/romantic orientation, or sexuality.
Anti-racism
Racism is the differential treatment of people on the basis of their skin color, presumed ethnic origin or religious beliefs. Certain identities overlap, and racialized people are more likely to be marginalized, even in queer spaces. This league aims to be a space of solidarity, a safer space where no form of racism is tolerated. We prioritize an attitude of listening and empathy, and invite people to be sensitive to all forms of oppression, from the individual, to the local and global scale. We commit to:
- Listening and learning: no one wants to see themselves as behaving in a racist way, but we certainly all still have biases to deconstruct, so we commit to taking feedback with openness rather than defensiveness.
- Avoiding asking questions or making intrusive comments based on a person’s skin color, physical features, or religious symbols.
- Avoiding “jokes” about social, racial, religious and/or ethnic background, whether this relates directly to an individual within the league, or to others.
- Reflecting on the words we use, their weight and connotation. Recognizing that language conveys values, and has an impact.
- Remaining attentive and sensitive to what others may experience on a daily basis, including in terms of racial discrimination. Not waiting for the impacted people to explain how certain behaviours and/or words are problematic or hurtful, but doing the work to examine and improve our behaviours individually and collectively.
Anti-ableism and neurodiversity
Anti-ableism is a stance that aims to eliminate all forms of discrimination against people with disabilities, whether physical or cognitive, visible or invisible.
The league is open to all people identifying themselves as 2SLGBTQIA+ who want to play softball in a safer space, regardless of their physical, athletic or strategic abilities. To this end, BMQS is committed to making reasonable accommodations wherever possible to make the sport more accessible. We commit to:
- Respecting our own limits and needs during games, practices, and beyond.
- Respecting and listening to each other’s limits, without asking for justification or explanations.
- Avoiding prejudging people’s abilities or limits: Bearing in mind that disabilities take different forms, both visible and less visible, and that individuals are the experts on their own situations.
Any attitude or comment that discriminates against disabled and/or neurodivergent people will not be tolerated.
Anti-classism
Classism refers to the discrimination of individuals or groups on the basis of their real or assumed membership to a particular social class. Classism can be expressed, for example, by disparaging or mocking attitudes, behaviours and remarks towards people deemed poorer, less educated, etc.
Classist attitudes, behaviours, and remarks will not be tolerated.
We recognize that communication can be difficult, especially in stressful situations, but we are committed to doing our best to communicate in a healthy and respectful way whenever possible. This includes:
- Being kind to each other: Avoid shouting at, insulting, or pushing people.
- Giving and receiving feedback in a positive way, i.e.:
- Addressing the problem rather than the person, and being specific rather than general, for example: not “You’re making bad calls”, but “From my perspective, it looked like the ball was still in bounds”;
- Speak from the “I” perspective, for example: not “you’re rude”, but “I found that comment hurtful;”
- Avoiding making assumptions about the motivations or thoughts of others, and instead remaining curious and asking questions;
- Remaining open to feedback, and taking the time to reflect on it rather than being reactive;
- Working together to find solutions
- Being as strict as possible with our own communication, and as generous as possible in our interpretation of the communication of others.
We commit to following the rules and playing fairly. In addition, we commit to being considerate of other players, both on our team and in the league, respecting their skills, and encouraging a respectful and inclusive playing environment.
The purpose of the league is to strengthen relationships, not strain them! While winning can be exhilarating, we believe that having fun is more important. When in disagreement with a call or a decision, it’s fine to express the disagreement, but sometimes it’s necessary to simply let it go and continue enjoying the game, even if we feel the outcome should have been different.
We recognize that softball is a team game, and that our individual actions have an impact on the team as a whole. We commit to being present when we say we will be present, and to being on time and respectful of others’ time.
We commit to communicating honestly and in a timely manner about changes in plans, cancellations, delays, or anything else that may have an impact on the team or the league.
We commit to respecting the fact that some people may not want to be ‘out’, or may not want their images or information to be public, for various reasons. We agree not to post photos or information of members on social media or public platforms without their explicit consent.
We recognize that there is always room for improvement. Mistakes happen: let’s learn from them. We commit to being kind to one another, to being open to feedback, and to working together to make our league and our community as inclusive and safe as it can be.
Support and Complaints
The care Committee is responsible for upholding the BMQS Community Agreement, philosophies, and values (AKA the overall “vibes”).
If someone has issues with any policies, procedures, rules, regulations, or the overall management of the League itself, it can be addressed by the Organization Committee or the Board of Directors, not the Care Committee.
Not sure where to go with your issues or questions? Just ask, we’re happy to help direct you!
As we all work together in creating a safe and joyful environment, conflicts will inevitably arise which are normal and healthy. We encourage everyone to address interpersonal or group conflicts on their own with the support of their friends, teams, captains, etc. in order to avoid issues getting worse.
The Care committee is able to offer support in addressing conflict without people needing to file a formal complaint. The committee is available to give support and advice so members can handle an issue on their own. If you are dealing with something that does not feel big enough for filing a complaint but is still negatively impacting your experience at BMQS and would like to address it, we are available for helping you take action and navigate the situation.
Anyone who is experiencing issues such as racism, ableism, transphobia, bullying, or any other problematic behaviour that violates the Community Agreement by one or several players in the League is encouraged to contact the Care committee through the contact form or by email to file a formal complaint. Filing a formal complaint with the Care Committee, for the majority of cases, may not be the first step in a resolution process.
The Care committee is working on gathering resources to provide league members with the tools to address conflict in a respectful and productive way etc. which will be available on the BMQS website as soon as possible.
When you reach out to us, you will have the option of asking for support for handling conflict with others or filing a complaint on violation of the Community Agreement. If you’re not sure what to do, we will figure out together what kind of help you need so do not hesitate to contact us!
- A sub-committee will be formed to handle the complaint. Members of the sub-committee will ensure they do not have any conflict of interest.
- Members of the sub-committee will reach out to the person who submitted the complaint (AKA the “complainant”) to discuss the complaint and potential ways forward.
- As needed, members of the sub-committee will meet with the subject of the complaint (AKA the “respondent”) to discuss the situation and potential ways forward.
- Note: the final decision of the Care Committee may not be the complainant or respondent’s preferred resolution.
- If warranted, the sub-committee members may, at their discretion, meet with any witnesses and/or other BMQS members in order to gain a full understanding of the complaint.
- The sub-committee members, the complainant, and the respondent will work together to find a suitable resolution.This may include, but is not limited to:
- Meeting with all parties involved in an effort to find a solution. Individual meetings or a group meeting can be proposed to better understand the situation and find a suitable solution.
- Writing a letter to the respondent, clearly explaining the problematic behaviour, the league’s expectations, and the conditions necessary for the person to remain welcome at BMQS activities.
- Take no outward action, but hold the complaint in archives and, if the person accumulates numerous complaints, further measures may be implemented.
- Once resolved, the Care committee will archive the complaint confidentially.
In certain circumstances, and in accordance with BMQS Bylaws, the Board of Directors has the ability to suspend or exclude any member from League participation. In these circumstances, the Care Committee will take the complaint to the Board of Directors who will follow the exclusion process laid out in the BMQS Bylaws.
Such circumstances may include:
- There is a severe violation of the Community Agreement
- A respondent’s behaviour puts any member at risk of serious harm
- A respondent repeats problematic behaviour
- A respondent is subject to another kind of complaint
- A respondent fails to comply with the conditions laid out in a resolution
- Any other reason deemed appropriate by the Care Committee
We will not tolerate the behaviour of certain individuals undermining the presence of others.
Once a suspension/exclusion period has elapsed, the Board of Directors and/or Care Committee will meet with the respondent, if they wish to reintegrate into the league. Depending on the outcome of this meeting, the Board of Directors and/or Care Committee may decide to:
- immediately reintegrate the person,
- extend the suspension/expulsion, or
- exclude the person from the league for an indefinite period.
Suspension pending investigation: At the discretion of the Care Committee, during extreme circumstances, respondents may be suspended from participation in BMQS activities while the committee investigates. This requires a decision from the Board of Directors as per BMQS bylaws. A suspension pending investigation in no way implies guilt.
Privacy: All complaints will be kept private amongst the members of the Care Committee (and the Board in certain cases, as needed), unless explicit consent is given by the person making the complaint to disclose information to other parties.
Timeline: The committee is obliged to respond to the complaints as quickly as possible.Note that any complaints submitted during the off season (September-April) may take longer to respond to.
Statute of Limitations: the Committee is not able to address conflicts from previous seasons unless a conflict was related to something especially egregious (violence, bullying, harassment, etc.). If you’re not sure, just ask!
CONTACT US:
Or Send us an email: HERE
partnerships and sponsors
Each team is free to choose its own sponsors. However, we encourage you to consider partnerships with:
- Public or publicly-funded organizations;
- Queer organizations;
- Community organizations, etc.
We feel it is important not to collaborate with sponsors who reproduce forms of oppression against our communities. Total transparency about sponsors is essential, so any planned sponsorship should be discussed with the organizational committee. The organizational committee can be reached at liguebmqs@gmail.com