Sport study uncovers homophobia
More than 45 percent of people are not ‘out’ in mainstream sports and many shy away from team games for fear of harassment, according to a new study on the GLBT experience in sport.
The first study of its kind, Come Out To Play was conducted by Victoria University and Gay and Lesbian Health Victoria and sets out recommendations for greater inclusion in amateur sports.
“Sport plays a significant role in Australian society; however, it is a place where LGBT Australians are largely silent and invisible,” the study says.
Victoria University lead researcher Dr Caroline Symons told Sydney Star Observer it’s not all bad news.
“Fifty percent of people did say their mainstream sports club was welcoming so that’s good news,” she said.
The report — launched today by VicHealth — surveyed 307 gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people. The findings show male respondents were less likely to play team sports than women and more likely to be out in individual rather than team sports.
Overall, 41.5 percent percent of respondents (mostly female) reported they had experienced verbal homophobic harassment at some time during involvement with sport and 87 percent said that experience had affected them “in some way”.
Symons said the study mirrors international research on the subject but also highlights a unique ‘blokey’ sporting culture in Australia.
“Both implicit discrimination that results from ‘hetero-normative’ attitudes and explicit discrimination that causes LGBT sportspeople to remain in the closet, become isolated and essentially silenced, have shaped a circle of silence on this topic,” the report says.
Twenty-six percent of male participants and almost 10 percent of female participants said there were sports they would like to play but did not because of their sexuality.
Transgender respondents also reported high levels of sexism.
Although state and federal legislation prohibit harassment and discrimination based on sexuality, only 12 percent said their mainstream sports clubs had inclusion policies.
The study recommends further research is conducted in the area and calls on sports clubs to take a more proactive attitude towards GLBT inclusion.
The research was funded by VicHealth, Victoria University and the Asia Pacific Outgames Legacy Fund.
info: Visit www.glhv.org.au
Melbourne Spikers Volleyball Club have promoted a safe friendly environment for members of our community for 25 years. On Saturday June 12, sister club from Sydney will be sending 2 teams to join in the Fox Hotel & Snow Gum Winter Whack Tournament.
This will be a great opportunity to see volleyball action or get into a team before hand. Please contact the sensational crew who form the Club Committee via the website.
http://www.melbournespikers.org.au
“Twenty-six percent of male participants and almost 10 percent of female participants said there were sports they would like to play but did not because of their sexuality.”
This is one of the reasons that the Melbourne Chargers Rugby Union Football Club was formed.
We have associated with Footscray Rugby Union Club and have found them to be very welcoming and have had no problems playing against other mainstream teams.
The Melbourne Chargers has mostly gay but also some straight members and inclusiveness is part of our objectives. Part of our purpose is to overcome the attitudes that “gays can’t play sports”, at least not while openly gay.
For more information see: http://www.melbournechargers.org