Gender Minority Armored Fighters: Navigating and Helping to Remove Invisible Barriers

Duchess Signy Heri

Dame Sbyslava Ruslanova

Baroness Ingegerd Kastanrazi

Baroness Puffin

THL Tegan of Anglesey

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University of Atlantia: Instructor Spotlight Feb. 23, 2023

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Instructor Bio - Signy

• Duchess of the SCA
• Knight of the SCA
• Warranted Marshal
• Household: House Hare and Hound

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Instructor Bio - Sbyslava

• Knight of the SCA
• Households: House of the Black Dragon; House Tavernier

Instructor Bio - Ingegerd

• Retired Landed Baroness
• Order of the Sea Stag (Combat Instruction) - Order of High Merit/GoA
• Warranted Marshal
• Household: Krak House, Head Squire
• Reaper of 100 Day Pell Challenge

Instructor Bio - Puffin

• Court Baroness
• Order of Saint Aidan’s (Fighting Unit Order) - Kingdom Honors
• Household: House Honey Badger, Squire

Instructor Bio - Tegan

• Order of the Kraken (Armored Combat) – Order of High Merit/GoA
• Warranted Marshal
• Household: Free Company of Anglesey, Past Warlord/Pennsic Field Commander
• Vexillum Atlantiae - Kingdom Award (Fighting Unit)

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What is an Invisible Barrier? Why this Class?

• Definition

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• Physical- not just our own physical differences but the gear and space.
• Social- expected women’s labor, biases, heavy spotlight or invisible.
• Cultural- SCA interkingdom, outside of society, all our backgrounds
• Other. Basically the things not everyone is going to have to worry about.

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Around, over, anticipate, mitigate, or negate.

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How can allies, marshals, teachers, coaches, really anyone can help.

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We have come a long way over the decades, but we can still do better.

Acknowledge our history, but focus on actionable solutions going forward. As we grow in understanding, our needs may shift and grow too.

5 Ways to Remove Invisible Barriers

1. Creating an Inclusive Practice - Ingegerd

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• Knowing the Women/Gender Minority Fighters in the Kingdom - Puffin

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• Learning Effective Training and Coaching - Signy

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• Respecting a Fighter’s Goals and Limitations - Tegan

Creating an Inclusive Practice - Inge

• Creating the Environment of your Classroom.
• Physical space- the structure but also how you set up, water, chairs, etc
• Amenities- SAFE for all, bathroom, parking, lighting, travel, etc.
• Support- babysitters, non-fighters who wants to be supportive, partners, etc.
• Communication- Educ practice, first days of school, LISTEN
• Equipment- loaner gear in various shapes and sizes,
• Establishing routine- setting the tone.
• Envisioning what it could be, not just what it has been.
• Training versus big fish in little pond bearpits.
• Drilling healthy cultural habits just like you’d drill technique.
• Ask. Invite. Welcome. Thank your fighters for coming. Invite again.
• Include in talks and open your circle.

Physical Amenities for a Good Practice Site

BATHROOMS available for use throughout and BEFORE start of practice.

Well lit close parking.

If possible Indoor Location. Weather is less of an obstacle.

Public Setting.

Space for water, Gatorade, trash, and non-combatants.

CONSISTENT practice time, day of week, location.

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Routines/Traditions to establish (CULTURE)

Welcome everyone who approaches and thank them for coming.

Ask what they would like to work on today and how. If they would rather not say, let them know if they like they can say after the fact.

Check in with everyone.

Use their names.

First time in armor? Let them get used to just the alien feel of armor.

Ask how their day was.

Normalize not knowing everything, ask what THEY see or wonder about.

Everyone takes turns sharing AND Actively listening.

Follow up with them.

Purposeful Communication

Verbal- parroting, reassuring, multiple ways of explaining.

LISTENING is the number one key thing to helping.

Visual- cues, eliminating distractions, facial expressions, etc.

Online- announce practice, date, time, location, contact person

Followup

Think back to the happiest classes you ever had, how much easier was it to learn.

Include in accessory discussions.

Dos and Don’ts for Allies

Remember it’s about them.

When they are drinking water or resting, ask how or if they would like help. Respect their answer.

Interrupt those who interrupt them.

LISTEN to what they are struggling with. Repeat it back to them to double check you heard right, ask if they want help solving those issues.

ACKNOWLEDGE their goals!

Don’t assume the role of trainer.

Don’t interrupt them working.

Don’t assume you know more.

Don’t forget to include them when stories are being shared, welcome to stand nearby.

DON’T put unrealistic expectations on them, and also don’t underestimate them.

DON’T pressure them to authorize then go win Crown by their own hand. Allow them to pursue their happy.

Knowing the Women/Gender Minority Fighters in the Kingdom - Puffin

• The weight women/gender minority fighters carry
• Expectations of others, and themselves
• Societal fear
• Representation
• Socialization and comfort
• How does it make a difference?
• How to include us without singling us out
• Why is this even a thing?
• The matter of intent
• Why this is the worst advice ever
• Why women and gender minority fighters tend to prefer melee
• How can you support their enjoyment?
• How can this carry over to Tourney?
• When do you let go?

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Learning Effective Training and Coaching - Signy

• Listen to trainee - if they’re having a problem, you need to know about it

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• Smaller fighters need lighter equipment. You can’t be agile and effective carry more than a certain percentage of your body weight

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• Women need armor that fits. You can’t fight an opponent if you’re fighting your armor

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• Defense, defense, defense! If you can block effectively, you stay in the fight

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• Fitness, fitness, fitness!If you can stay in the fight longer than the other guy, you’ll win

Respecting the Fighter’s Goals and Limitations - Tegan

• Long term goals
• Squire/Knight path
• Tournament circuit
• Command role
• Getting “good”
• Short term goals
• Fitness
• Social
• Weapon form
• Specific shot or move
• Obstacles to achieving those goals
• Caregiver
• Household/Mental Load
• Internal
• Physical

Training Resources

“Training Female Fighters/Training the Trainer” by Sir Signy and Sir Rousell for Atlantian University

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(2020)

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Resources for Female Fighters Compilation by Tegan of Anglesey

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Practice Best Practices by Tegan of Anglesey

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ALMA (Altantian Ladies in Marial Activities) Facebook Group

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Allies of Atlantian Women and Gender Minority Fighters Facebook Group

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Women & Gender Minority Fighters - SCA Unofficial Facebook Group

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SCA Coaches Corner: Facebook and Youtube

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Female Knights Roundtable Series: Youtube

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Atlantians with Kids Facebook Group

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Questions?