Over a third of LGBTQ+ young athletes in Australia are discriminated in sport, according to study
May 20, 2024More than half of LGBTQ+ young people in Australia have observed discrimination in community-based sports, according to a new study by Swinburne University of Technology.
The study, led by Swinburne Research Fellows Dr. Ryan Storr and Dr. Carleigh Yeomans, surveyed over 1,000 LGBTQ+ individuals across Australia. It is the largest study of its kind in ten years and highlights that LGBTQ+ young people (ages 16-25) have significantly lower participation rates (around 30%) in sports compared to their non-LGBTIQ+ counterparts (60%).
As ‘Swinburne’ reports, forty percent of participants reported personal experiences of discrimination, mainly through verbal abuse.
Despite some progress over the past decade, improvements have been slow, especially for young gay men, 76 percent of whom reported witnessing homophobia, and 63 percent experiencing it firsthand.
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Overall, 53 percent of LGBTQ+ young people surveyed reported witnessing discrimination in sports and movement settings.
Dr. Storr remarked, "The young people we spoke to for this study highlighted their desire to play sports and 'just exist' or be themselves, without their identities being questioned, debated, or interrogated.”
“This research clearly indicates that discrimination prevents LGBTQ+ young people from participating in sports. When they do play, they often have to endure ongoing discrimination.”
Supported by an Impact Research Grant from the health promotion foundation VicHealth, the research underscores the urgent need for tailored programs to combat homophobia and create safe, inclusive sporting environments, particularly for youth.
“While the data shows promising trends within the larger LGBTQ+ community, the reality is that LGBTQ+ individuals have a fifty-fifty chance of witnessing homophobia when participating in sports.”
“Rates of experiencing and witnessing homophobia in sports for gay men have hardly changed in recent years. We still have much work to do to make men’s sports environments safe and welcoming,” Dr. Storr stated.
“The benefits are evident when LGBTQ+ people feel safe and included in sports; it enhances mental health outcomes and fosters social capital and feelings of belonging and connection. We can, and must, do better.”
Dr. Storr found that LGBTQ+ youth continue to face significant challenges in sports, such as whether to disclose their identities to teammates and coaches, evaluating the safety of club environments, and managing mental health in the face of persistent discrimination.
“Sustained and targeted efforts are essential to make sports environments safe and inclusive for all players. Anti-homophobia campaigns and initiatives are urgently needed. Major sporting codes must commit to immediate action in addressing LGBTQ+ discrimination, especially in men’s team sports environments,” Dr. Storr asserted.
For organisations looking to take action, Dr. Storr recommends participating in Proud2Play and VicSport’s ‘Rainbow Roadmap’ program, which helps clubs and organisations become rainbow ready.
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