Ch' 15 Heterosexism, Homophobia and Lesbians In Sport

1
Ch. 15 - Heterosexism, Homophobia and Lesbians
In Sport

• By Pat Griffin
• Notes from Women in Sport, Greta Cohen, Ed.

2
Heterosexism

• The cultural assumption that only heterosexual
  relationships are normal and acceptable
• Same sex relationships not accorded the same
  respect or institutional recognition and
  protection
• Justifies denial of civil rights

3
Sport Leaders Choose

• Sport leaders have an opportunity to assist
  others in sport to overcome prejudices.
• To learn about, and respect social groups
  different from their own, and
• To work together across differences toward common
  team goals, or
• To perpetuate stereotypes and social injustice

4
Why Address Heterosexism in Womens Sport?

• To counteract fear, prejudice, and inappropriate
  shame
• For a safe, fair, and respectful environment
• Discrimination harassment not addressed
• Targets of hate crime
• End shame and isolation self-destruction
• Set an example of tolerance for differences

5
Research On Heterosexism Lesbians In Sport

• Carol Oglesby (1999) Lesbians in sport are moral
  exemplars
• Brenda Pitts Center for Studying Lesbian, Gay,
  and Bisexual People in Sport (FSU)
• Todd Crosset (1995) gender expectations and
  sexuality on the LPGA tour
• Council on LGBTA Issues at AAHPERD
• There is a growing body of knowledge

6
QA Stereotypes Lesbians in Sport

• Participation in sport encourage women to become
  lesbians?
• Why do some women athletes look so masculine?
• Are Lesbian coaches or athletes more likely to
  seduce or sexually harass other female athletes?
• Why come out? Why cant they just keep it to
  themselves?
• Arent Lesbians poor role models for young women
  in sport?

7
Ways Lesbian Athletes Coaches Are Discriminated
Against

• I dont allow lesbians on my teams.
• Lesbians kicked off the team
• Playing time decreased
• ADs sometimes do not hire presumed lesbians
• Negative recruiting
• Shunning
• Excluded from team social events
• Pressured to hide in the closet
• Forbidden to join school Gay student clubs

8
How else?

• Forbidden to wear clothes, stickers, or buttons
  that identify one as Lesbian
• Sometimes Christian athletes or coaches tell
  Lesbian athletes that they are sinners and
  condemned to heal.
• Sometimes Christian athletes repeatedly invite a
  perceived Lesbian to prayer meetings that explain
  their religious beliefs about homosexuality.

9
Ways of Managing Lesbian Identities

• Pass for heterosexual
• Covering or concealing Lesbian identity from
  others
• The Five-Year Plan
• Coming Out
• Vigilance

10
Alternative Sport Opportunities for Lesbians

• Lesbian and Gay sport teams in most large cities
• Gay Games (established in 1982)
• Gay Games V (1998) Amsterdam 15,000 people from
  68 countries
• Still a need for schools, sport organizations and
  professional sport to address discrimination

11
Addressing Heterosexism in Womens Sports?

• Education
• Enact non-discrimination and anti-harassment
  policies
• Coaches can lead team discussion about how we
  should treat each other across differences such
  as sexual orientation, race, and religion
• Create an atmosphere of respect and tolerance
• Speak out against anti-gay slurs, jokes,
  stereotypes

12
Signs Of Change

• Several professional women athletes have publicly
  identified themselves as Lesbians
• King Navratilova lost sponsors and fan support
• In the last 10 years coming out hasnt cost these
  women as much Devlin, Sheehan, Giove,
  Blazejowski, Mauresmo
• Individual sports, late in career, white women

13
Educational Programs Exist in the World of Sport

• Womens Basketball Coaches Association
• National Softball Coaches Association
• American Volleyball Coaches Association
• Increasing numbers of high schools and colleges
  are sponsoring workshops on this topic for
  coaches and athletes
• Gay-Straight Alliances or school clubs

14
NCAA To Address Heterosexism

• Women at AAHPERD working to get NCAA aboard
• NAGWS of AAHPERD has non-discrimination policy