The ACT Human Rights Commission has launched new participation guidelines to help organisations that may be grappling with gender issues.

The guide says rising numbers of people don't identify as either biologically male or female.

"This reality poses some challenges in an environment where there are often sound reasons for running separate men's and women's competitions and events," the document says.

"The answers are not always going to be straightforward or easy to work out, but anecdotal evidence shows that more and more sporting bodies are already being asked to respond to these issues."

The guide says sporting organisations could improve their practice by developing or updating policies on diversity and equal opportunity, discrimination provisions, player participation, complaints and disciplinary processes.

It says people should be able to use toilets, change rooms and facilities appropriate to their gender [the facilities of their choice].

The Australian Christian Lobby has accused the ACT government of "using the big stick of anti-discrimination law" to impose "politically correct ideology" on sporting clubs.

"All people should be treated with respect and courtesy at all times," managing director Lyle Shelton said.

"But at the end of the day, are the mums and dads of Tuggeranong, Belconnen and Gungahlin comfortable with the ACT government legally requiring their daughters to share toilets, change rooms and showers with men and boys identifying as women?

"The idea that gender is fluid is contested and reasonable accommodation for those dealing with gender identity issues that include everyone's concerns can and should be made."

Discrimination commissioner Karen Toohey said the idea was to begin a conversation and provide support, rather than take a legalistic approach.

"We're focusing on how we can build people's capacity to provide safe and inclusive sporting environments," she said.

"One of the issues is that international sports focus on the technicalities. What we're trying to do is focus on local participation.

"For community sports, we're saying don't worry so much about what the international body is saying, or what the rules and regulations are, because unless you're an elite sportsperson that's not going to come into play.

"What's really important is that people in our community feel engaged and feel they can participate without having to answer a whole bunch of questions that are completely irrelevant to the sport they want to play."

Ms Toohey said the commission was working with Active Canberra to distribute the guidelines, which are also available online.

She said implementation would include training sessions and direct engagement with sporting organisations and schools.

Ms Toohey said gender issues were also evident in junior sport.

"We do know there are certainly young people in the ACT who identify as trans and a number of schools are working in an incredibly supportive way with those young people," she said.

"What we're saying is 'Let's talk about it', let's not hope it's a problem that just goes away and someone else has to deal with it."