Everyone faces inequitable behaviour from time to time, but it should not affect your day-to-day life. Some members of society are marginalised because of the person they are. This can also be apparent in sport.
There are very few high-profile lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBTG) people in sport today and that is, in part, down to the attitudes of the people running, coaching and participating in sport.
By being more empathetic and understanding of all your participants, you create a more welcoming and enjoyable coaching environment.
Pride Sports aims to tackle homophobia in sport and promote the inclusion of LGBTG people in national sports strategies and delivery in the UK. By promoting the inclusion of LGBTG people, tackling homophobia and increasing opportunities for LGBTG people to participate in sport, it is hoped sport will progress the great work that is already being done by the Rugby Football League (RFL), The Football Association (FA), and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).
When looking to include people from LGBTG communities, it is important to understand the following issues:
Practical barriers
- lack of appropriate changing facilities and toilets providing privacy for transgender participants
- lack of money for some female participants
- lack of investment in LGBTG sport
Personal barriers
- fear of discrimination, particularly for those with previous experience of homophobic/transphobic bullying in sport
- lack of visible LGBTG coaches and role models in sport
- fear of homophobic language (such as ‘poof ’) being used by coaches to put down participants who do not excel in sport, whether they are perceived to be gay or not
- lack of awareness of opportunities.