Gender, Sexual Prejudice and Sport Participation: Implications for Sexual Minorities

Abstract

Utilizing the compulsory heterosexuality framework, the purpose of this inquiry was to assess the influence of gender and sexual prejudice on decisionmaking within sport. In Study 1, responses from former and current athletes within the United States (N=229) indicated that prejudicial attitudes predicted unwillingness to participate when a coach was identified as gay or lesbian. A mixed-methods approach was used in Study 2 to assess the attitudes of American parents (N=76). Parent's prejudicial attitudes toward gays and lesbians predicted unwillingness to allow a homosexual to coach their children; justification of which was most often based on negative gay and lesbian stereotypes. Implications for these findings are discussed.

Examining the Workplace Experiences of Sport Employees Who Are LGBT: A Social Categorization Theory Perspective

“…In regards to the current study, research suggests that sexual minorities are members of a devalued or stigmatized social group, and this is especially the case in sport contexts (Anderson, 2005(Anderson, , 2009Griffin, 1998;Krane & Barber, 2005;Sartore & Cunningham, 2009a, 2009b. As such, sport employees who are LGBT have oftentimes concealed their sexual orientation to "pass" as in-group (i.e., heterosexual) members (Krane & Barber, 2005).…”

“…For instance, we are both members of the Allies group on campus, with Allies representing individuals "willing to provide a safe haven, a listening ear, and support for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people or anyone dealing with sexual orientation issues." We also conduct research aimed at understanding sexual prejudice Sartore & Cunningham, 2009a, 2009b, the experiences of sexual minorities (Melton &Cunningham,2012), and the ways in which sexual orientation diversity influences group and organizational outcomes (Cunningham, 2011, in press;Cunningham & Melton, 2011). This study represents a continuation of this research stream…”

“…Some viewed their involvement with the study as their own version of an "It Gets Better" video, or a way to demonstrate to other LGBT employees that they could enjoy positive experiences in a context that traditionally has not welcomed or accepted sexual minorities (Anderson, 2002;Krane, 2001;Sartore & Cunningham, 2009a, 2009b. Although none of the participants were willing to disclose their name or job title, collectively they felt it was important for athletic departments to be aware that they had LGBT employees; and as such, efforts should always be made to make the work environment inclusive and hospitable for all people.…”

Sport and Sexuality: Athletic Participation by Sexual Minority and Sexual Majority Adolescents in the U.S.

“…This wider cultural shift has also affected athletes, as there is evidence that homophobia is declining somewhat among members of team sports (Southall et al 2006-as cited in Anderson 2008. In addition, Sartore and Cunningham (2009) found that college students who were former or current athletes were more, rather than less willing, to play for either a gay or lesbian. Thus, perhaps facing less homophobia, taken together these sorts of data support the idea, also advanced by others (e.g., Anderson 2005;Elling et al 2001;Hall and Richardson 1982), that sexual minorities, especially at younger ages, may play sports at the same rate as heterosexuals.…”

Investigating a Coed Sport’s Ability to Encourage Inclusion and Equality

“…In many respects, the norms and traditions of sport reinforce and perpetuate notions of hegemonic masculinity (Connell, 1995;Sartore & Cunningham, 2009). The gendered discourses, policies, and belief systems in sport typically privilege men and disadvantage womenmaking it seem natural to view athletes who display ultra-masculine or ultra-competitive traits as superior (Messner, 2009).…”