Sophia Heath
So far this blog has primarily focused upon how homophobia in sport is affecting adult players. However, if this pattern of the behaviour is really going to change it is important to look at the younger generation. This blog post is going to explore how NSPCC is trying to tackle the problem.
The NSPCC is highly concerned about the effect homophobia in sport is having on young people. Their Child Protection in Sport Unit (CPSU) has a specific briefing, which is designed to help inform adults how to protect children from this kind of bullying. The figures which have been used to design this are based on the data provided by the The School Report made by Stonewall in 2006.
Here are some of the shocking statistics, which Stonewall discovered when investigating the homophobic bullying of young people.
65% of young LGB people have experienced homophobic bullying or harassment.
92% of young LGB people have experienced verbal abuse because of their sexual orientation.
41% have been the victim of physical abuse because of their sexual orientation.
17% have received death threats because of their sexual orientation.
84.5% of young LGB people, who have been the victims of homophobic bullying, have considered suicide.
These statistics clearly demonstrate the extent to which homophobic bullying plays a part in young LGB people’s lives. The CPSU believes that there are three main myths which need to be dispelled in order to create better equality.
They are:
· All Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender people choose to be ‘that way’
· Young people cannot be Gay, Lesbian or Bisexual
· “It’s only banter” or “ just part of the culture of team sports”
They believe that in order to eradicate these myths and this form of bullying the following prevention methods need to be put in place.
· Promote positive environments and behaviours in which difference (in a variety of senses) is embraced and celebrated. For example this may include having discussions about positive homosexual or bisexual sports role models, posters or signs that denote ‘safe spaces’ for LGB people (rainbow flags or pink triangles), or specific events/displays.
· Ensure relevant policies and procedures exist, for example, checking that homophobic bullying is included in anti-bullying and related policies, procedures and codes of conduct, and that reports and referrals are acted upon.
· Assess and monitor the extent of homophobic bullying through anonymous coach and youth members surveys, and existing methods like bullying boxes. Evaluate the responses received and ensure consistent recording and reporting.
· Raise awareness of what homophobic bullying is and how the sports organisation will respond. Ensure effective reporting systems are in place to enable members to report incidents. Sports leaders attending specific training about sexuality and /or diversity.
· Create a safe culture for example by challenging the word ‘gay’ as a derogatory term. Ensure fast and effective removal of any graffiti.
· Know how to provide sensitive support to LGB members to help them feel safe, and able to tell adults in authority positions about incidents of homophobic bullying.
It is still unclear the extent to which these criteria are being followed in school and local sports clubs. Hopefully with greater awareness and the work of charities such as the NSPCC more can be done to stamp out homophobia in sport from a young age.
“Media just doesn’t really have the interest. You need a superstar to come out and then there will be a story again” an interview with Professor Eric Anderson
Professor Eric Anderson is an American sociologist at the University of Winchester. He is known for his research on sexualities and masculinities studies, particularly concerning sport and relationships. He believes that due to a switch in the social paradigm homophobia in sport is on the decline. He has written ten books, many of them award winners and best sellers and also regularly contributes to OutSports.com. Gay Sports Blog’s Sophia Heath caught up with him to hear his views on the decline of homophobia, why there are no out professional footballers and the impact of the Olympics.
Why do you believe that homophobia in sport is on the decline?
The effect which is happening in sport is the result of a much larger cultural shift and an overall decline in homophobia. Research has shown that since 1993 there has been an overall decline in homophobia and a complete change in social attitude. There can be a thousand different factors that you can attribute to this. The big one is the internet. Facebook now asks for your sexual orientation, Myspace asks you for your sexual orientation it is great. Men start to access porn at the age of 11 – whether by accident or on purpose they come across gay porn and this desensitises them. It’s got rid of that ‘oh my god it’s disgusting factor’ and ‘it’s just like so that happens.’ This is combined with other factors such as better representation, politics and of course the decline of religion to cause this social shift.
Why do you think that so far a professional footballer has not come out in the UK?
I think this is the red hearing of the whole homophobia in sport issue. So what? Who actually cares? There are tens and millions of youth and university athletes who are not experiencing homophobia. Compare this to what- a thousand professional athletes it is not that significant.
Take football there are roughly 1,500 top professional footballers. Three percent of males are gay and there is evidence to show that this is even lower at top level sport so it’s probably more like 1%- so we are talking about 15 guys here! It’s just the media likes to use it as a way of looking at homophobia in sport. It doesn’t take away from the overall positive
We are too focused on the professional level. We can’t use this small group of men as a gauge for society as a whole. That’s not what counts.
What about the argument that it is a bad commercial decision to be an out athlete?
Well there is a load of empirical evidence to show that is not true. Look at Gareth Thomas he has got a movie coming out! It’s not the case that sponsors are going to walk away because an athlete comes out it’s actually quite the opposite. Companies are happy to have gay representatives… People aren’t going to take a pair of sneakers back because the company supports someone who is gay.
So why do you think there is evidence of agents telling players not to come out?
There are agents who have said that but they are part of the old guard, they are the old school guys. It’s not the athletes who are homophobic any more it is the old coaches or athletic committee. These guys have had sporting careers and progressed up through the administration side and still know the old principles. When I interviewed Leigh Steinberg he said if his players came out they wouldn’t get professional endorsements. When I pointed out a few obvious examples he was like “oh”. It’s just a narrative for the media.
How do you think America compares to the UK in terms of homophobia in sport?
America has got what is known as a cultural lag behind the UK. Whatever is happening in the UK is paralleled in the US but there is a delay. I am doing research into it and its very hard to gauge but I I’m going to say the US is roughly a decade behind.
What effect do you think the Olympics coming to London will have on homophobia in sport?
It is a huge opportunity but it depends on how the media see it. You don’t need 100 gay athletes you just need one who the media covers. It’s all about the media coverage. I think there was an opportunity missed when Mathew Mitcham won gold in Australia. Obviously the gay press cover it but its just not really news for the mainstream press. It’s the same story athlete worries about coming out, athlete comes out, athlete actually accepted for coming out. There not a real story there.
I saw a kid come out to his running team. People used to say “oh my god”. He told his coach and he was just like “ok.” He told another team mate he was just like “Well done you came out.” There were no questions. People just don’t have those questions anymore. These kids have plenty of gay friends and it’s just not an issue. They have either already asked the questions they needed to ask or the internet will have the answers. He has boyfriend now and it is on Facebook.
The media just doesn’t really have the interest. You need a superstar to come out and then there will be a story again.
For more information on Professor Eric Anderson’s research please click here.
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Posted in Comment, Football, Gay sports in the UK, International LGBT Sports, London 2012 Olympics, US Sports, Young LGB