Impact of Homophobia and Transphobia in sport on LGBTQ people
Researchers first identified the harm from homophobia and transphobia in sport in 1971, yet sport organizations have done little to stop this harm. More than a thousand studies and papers have been published over the last half-century.
There is now strong evidence that if kids are the target of homophobic behavior (as this study found), or they are exposed to words like ‘fag,’ it increases their risk of suicide and self-harm.
In more recent years, public health agencies have become alarmed by data from large-scale population studies which shows large disparities in sport participation rates, particularly between gay and bisexual boys and their peers. If these boys could play sports in a safe environment this could help to reduce their risk of suicide and self-harm.
FAILURE TO PROTECT LGBTQ PEOPLE FROM DISCRIMINATION IS A SERIOUS VIOLATION OF INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS LAWS
Gay boys play team sport at half the rate of their straight male peers. The CDC has reported similar findings.
Only 20% of LGB adolescents are ‘out to everyone’ on their team; those who do come out are more likely to be the target of homophobic behavior.
More than half of trans people say they have experienced direct or overt exclusion and discrimination in sport
If LGBTQ youth are the target of homophobic behavior, or even just exposed, they are significantly more likely to attempt suicide.
Both boys and girls avoid sport due to discrimination, though straight girls also avoid some sports because they don’t want to be assumed lesbian
LGBT youth consistently report attempting suicide at rates 4 – 6 times higher than their peers. UN agencies have called for urgent action because discrimination is the primary driver.
RESEARCH ARTICLES ON IMPACTS TO LGBTQ PEOPLE FROM DISCRIMINATION IN SPORT
Homophobia in sport is a “critical public health issue”
Scott Greenspan and his team of American researchers systematically reviewed and synthesized of all research they could find on the experiences of gay, lesbian, and bisexual youth and gender diverse youth in sport settings. Systematic reviews aim to find as much...