Sport homophobia study

A study into the effects of homophobia in sport is underway in Victoria.
The Come Out to Play study is the result of a $25,000 grant provided to researchers at Victoria University and the Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society (ARCSHS).
The 20-minute survey will look at the extent of homophobia in amateur and elite sport in Australia and will also focus on the participation and experience of LGBT Victorians in mainstream sports.
Researchers encourage everyone to take part, whether they’re currently playing sport or haven’t done so since school.
Head researcher Dr Caroline Symons from Victoria University’s School of Sport and Exercise Science said the study is the first of its kind in Australia to look specifically at the LGBT experience in sport.
The research has been funded by Victorian government health body Vic Health with Victoria University and the Outgames Legacy Fund also providing funds.
According to Writing Themselves In Again, a 2005 La Trobe University study into homophobia among young people, those surveyed felt most unsafe while involved in sport.
The Come Out to Play study will investigate whether homophobia prevents people of any age from participating in sport, or alternatively whether sports clubs or teams have taken purposeful steps to support openly same-sex attracted and transgender people.
Symons said she hopes the research will assist in the development of a more focused response to issues of homophobia in sport from sporting and government bodies.
I can’t predict what the results will be, but research overseas indicates that sport can be a difficult environment, especially in male team sports.
Sport is so important in Australia for our identity and our social connection and it should be accessible to everyone.
Symons said research will also be conducted into determining -˜best practice’ in other areas such as addressing indigenous and women’s participation and tackling racism in sport.
There has been a lot done in these areas, but not much on sexuality and homophobia in sport … we’ll be looking nationally and internationally to collect policy and practice models.

info: The survey can be found at comeout2play.net