ADDRESSING HOMOPHOBIA IN SPORT
The Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women and Sport and Physical Activity
Homophobia is the fear or hatred of homosexuality or homosexuals. The world of sport is extremely homophobic and this homophobia affects the sport experience in countless negative ways.
In Canada, where homosexuals have full equality rights and where lesbian and gay issues are frequently discussed in mainstream society, the topic of homosexuality in sport is rarely raised. Lesbians and gays in sport are virtually invisible, their existence seldom acknowledged. In the rare situations where an athlete or coach does ‘come out’, reactions are typically negative and such individuals receive little or no support
International Day Against Homophobia |
from their sport leaders or sport governing bodies.
Canada is a leader in promoting a sport environment that is safe and welcoming. Harassment, bullying, violence and homophobia make sport exclusive and unsafe, and undermine the powerful potential of sport to contribute to personal, social and community development. Addressing the issue of homophobia in sport is thus very timely given Canada’s inclusive stance on minority rights as well as the Canadian sport system’s overall strategy of making the sport environment, and the sport experience, safe and welcoming.
Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women and Sport and Physical Activity has developed a number of powerful resources as part of its strategy to reduce homophobia in Canadian sport and to make sport an inclusive and safe place for all participants. A web site called "Seeing the Invisible, Speaking about the Unspoken: Homophobia in Sport" was also developed www.caaws.ca/homophobia/e/index.cfm
Part of CAAWS’ mandate is to promote participation in sport by girls and women. Homophobia in sport is often an obstacle to participation, presenting barriers and challenges to individuals, both homosexual and heterosexual. In particular, many girls and women shy away from sport out of fear they will be perceived as lesbians.
RESOURCES
* Seeing the Invisible, Speaking about the Unspoken: A POSITION PAPER ON HOMOPHOBIA IN SPORT
Executive Summary | PDF 179 KB 2 pages |
Position Paper | PDF 162 KB, 11 pages |
* « Sortir de l’ombre, briser les tabous » UN ÉNONCÉ DE POSITION SUR L'HOMOPHOBIE DANS LE SPORT
Sommaire | PDF 173 KB, 2 pages |
Énoncé de position | PDF 170 KB, 11 pages |
* Coaches Chalk Talks
- Same-Sex Teammate Romantic and Sexual Relationships | PDF 3 pages |
- Coach-Athlete Sexual Relationships | PDF 2 pages |
- Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Athletes Coming Out to Coaches | PDF 3 pages |
- Addressing Concerns About LGBT Athletes and Coaches in the Locker Room | PDF 2 pages |
- Athletic Team Hazing and Sexual or Gender Humiliation | PDF 2 pages |
- Inclusion of Transgender Athletes on Sports Teams | PDF 8 pages |
- Negative Recruiting and Homophobia in Women’s Sport | PDF 2 pages |
- LGBT Athletes of Color: Intersections of Racism, Sexism and Heterosexism | PDF 3 pages |
- Sexual Harassment Among Athletes and LGBT Issues in Sport | PDF 3 pages |
- Religion and Homosexuality in Athletics | PDF 3 pages |
- What to Do If You Think You Have Been Discriminated Against | PDF 2 pages |
- Safer and Not safe Places for LGBTQ Athletes and Coaches | PDF 2 pages |
US Women’s Sports Foundation It Takes A Team! Educational Campaign for LGBT Issues in Sport
www.ittakesateam.org