Eric Hopton for redOrbit.com – Your Universe Online
According to the largest ever international study on homophobia in sport, “Out on the Fields,” homophobia is still widespread in UK sport and around the world. The report led to calls for zero tolerance of discrimination and for better training for coaches, teachers, and officials.
The main findings:
- • More than half of gay men (60 percent) and lesbians (54 percent) and 24 percent of heterosexual men said they have personally been targeted with homophobia.
- • 30 percent of UK gay youth and 27 percent of lesbian youth said they were out of the closet to their entire team (under 22).
- • 85 percent of UK participants (including those describing themselves as heterosexual) believe an openly gay, lesbian, or bisexual person would not be very safe as a spectator at a sporting event.
- • Nearly half (48 percent) of gay men who didn’t play team sports were discouraged by homophobic experiences in school PE class.
- • Gay and lesbian youth in the UK are much more likely to report being personally targeted than previous generations.
- • Of those who had personally experienced homophobia: 81 percent of gay men and 80 percent of lesbians have received verbal slurs such as “faggot” or “dyke.”
- • Violence was also common, with 21 percent of gay men and 14 percent of lesbians reporting physical assaults, and 26 percent of gay men and 18 percent of lesbians reporting threats of harm.
Homophobia in sport was, in many ways, even worse in the USA.
Global sports market research firm Repucom conducted the research on behalf of the Bingham Cup (the world cup of gay rugby) and affiliated sports groups and was overseen by a panel of seven academics from six universities, including Brunel University London.
Participants were from the United Kingdom, Ireland, North America, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia.
More than ever, despite homophobia
The results showed that, in spite of the prevalence of homophobia, more young gay and lesbian athletes are coming “out of the closet” than ever before. Thirty percent of UK gay men under 22 were out of the closet to their entire team. That’s nearly twice the percentage in most other English speaking countries.
But, in the UK, the main areas of concern were homophobia in spectator stands with reports of homophobic violence.
Retired Welsh rugby player, Gareth Thomas, who came out in 2009 said, “I’m very encouraged to see that more gays and lesbians are finding the courage to come out of the closet, certainly much younger than I did while playing sport.”
“It’s even more impressive that they are choosing to be open about their sexuality despite the widespread homophobia that continues to be reported around sporting fields, especially among fans.”
Robbie Rogers, who came out after leaving Leeds United soccer team, became the first openly gay male professional athlete to join any of the five major American sports leagues when he signed with the LA Galaxy soccer team.
“This is not acceptable. Everyone should be able to enjoy sports. It’s time that all sports enforce a zero tolerance of hateful language on and off the fields.”
Rogers and others called for immediate venue bans for anyone using homophobic, racist, or any other form of discriminatory language. He also called for penalties to be given to players using this language.
Review panel member Professor Ian Rivers from Brunel University London, said, “I strongly hope that sport governing bodies, organizers of major sporting events, coaches, referees, and even athletes take this report away and consider what we each can do to ensure lesbian, gay, and bisexual people feel safe and welcome.”
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