A Sporting Chance - LGBTQ+ Inclusion In Sport

When reflecting on our experience of sport whether as a participant, coach, official, fan or other involvement, everyone has different memories and perspectives of what a lasting sporting legacy means to them. Our first introduction to sport may have been in the classroom, playground, watching older siblings compete for a local team on a Saturday morning or watching the Olympic Games on television. Developing interest in grassroots sport is a long-term and vital step to equip young people with the skills and confidence to lead more active and healthy lives. Through sporting camaraderie and team spirit individuals can develop soft skills, relax, and connect with others creating a sense of belonging and being part of a community. When talking to a group of passionate sports fans they will often describe their fair share of iconic and unforgettable moments. These are moments where people felt included. What if exclusion became a fundamental part of most people’s experience of sport? Would you want to do something about it?

Coming out as LGBTQ+ can be challenging, especially in the sporting world which may be perceived or considered as having a hypermasculine, hypercompetitive atmosphere. This environment may build resilience, grit encouraging athleticism and fitness; however, acceptance is still needed for LGBTQ+ people to flourish, thrive and achieve their sporting goals. The Trevor Project's 2021 National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health found that 42% of LGBTQ+ youth seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year, including more than half of transgender and nonbinary youth. The Trevor Project has reported that although one in three LGBTQ+ young people participate in sports, many choose not for fear of LGBTQ-based discrimination.

Out on the Fields has reported the impact and harm of homophobia and transphobia in sport on LGBTQ+ people. More than half of trans people say they have experienced direct or overt exclusion and discrimination in sport. Only 20% of LGB adolescents are ‘out to everyone’ on their team; those who do come out are more likely to be the target of homophobic behaviour. Additionally, 80% of all sporting participants have witnessed or experienced homophobia in sport.

Fostering a 'Culture of Inclusion'

For a company culture to succeed the foundations of safety, trust, respect, integrity, and empowerment are needed. It is the same in the sporting world where a tight-knit and welcoming environment facilitates a strong culture. This is a highly effective way of ensuring LGBTQ+ and other minoritised communities enjoy the physical and social benefits of being active. Furthermore, positive team morale, team harmony and team cohesion enable sporting participants to respect teammates, the opposition, officials, referees, and those involved in the sport. Proud2Play has several excellent resources for the sports community to better support LGBTQ+ inclusion.

Play By the Rules developed The 7 Pillars of Inclusion framework taking a broad helicopter view of inclusion of disadvantaged populations in sport. The 7 Pillars are:

ACCESS – How to get there and get in?

ATTITUDE – How willing you are to make it happen?

CHOICE – What can you do?

PARTNERSHIPS – Who will you work with?

COMMUNICATION – Who will you tell?

POLICY – How are you responsible?

OPPORTUNITIES – What do you want to do?

I felt a powerful culture of inclusion on Friday 10th December 2021. This was one of the most amazing days I have experienced entering the ring for my first fight visibly supported by my opponent, coaches, friends, and family attending in person or watching online. My fight proved that homophobia can be ended in boxing and sport.

Brands sponsoring a 'Charter of Change'

Sports sponsorship is a highly established practice. We have all seen its presence in the brand names on player’s uniforms, banners in the background, on social media or advertising spots during a sporting event. Customers have high expectations for contemporary businesses to enhance social changes through their values and cultures creating social accountability. What the public think of a company is critical to its success.

Brands are increasingly bringing their corporate values and culture to sponsorship arrangements. They make it known prejudice is not tolerated and immediately addressing incidents of discrimination. When Azeem Rafiq, a 30-year-old former professional cricketer, spoke out against the racism he encountered at Yorkshire County Cricket Club sponsors promptly broke ties with the club. ESPN reported how brands withdrew their sponsorships. Nike was the club's kit sponsor saying: "Nike will no longer be the kit supplier for Yorkshire CCC. We stand firmly against racism and discrimination of any kind."

In June 2021, the Aston Martin Cognizant Formula One Team announced a major partnership with Racing Pride and initiatives for Pride Month. Racing Pride conducted a thorough review of the team’s existing policies; assisted with the implementation of an internal survey to better understand the team’s current position, shaped an informed strategy and measure progress; and provided inclusivity and awareness workshops to the HR team, line managers and the internal Diversity & Inclusion team.

Visibility and advocacy is changing the 'Sporting Landscape'

The 2020 Tokyo Summer Games were dubbed “the rainbow Olympics” with at least 182 out LGBTQ+ athletes from 30 nations attending the Games. This was more than three times the number of “out” athletes who competed in the 2016 Summer Games in Rio. Outsports reported "Team LGBTQ" finished 7th in the Olympics medal count, ahead of France, Germany, Italy, Canada and Brazil. Additionally, there were at least 36 out LGBTQ+ athletes in the Beijing Winter Olympics ranking 12th on the medal tally with 4 Gold, 2 Silver and 3 Bronze.

In 2021, Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton displayed their visible support for the LGBTQ+ community. Vettel wore a rainbow-coloured t-shirt with the message "Same Love" on the grid ahead of the start of the Hungarian Grand Prix. Hamilton wore a Pride helmet at the Qatar Grand Prix saying, “I do think as these sports go to these places, they’re duty-bound to raise awareness for these issues.” Serena Williams has regularly spoken out in support of LGBTQ+ rights and Simone Biles told Teen Vogue, "The LGBTQIA will always have my support"

While more major sporting events are holding a Pride Day, some organisations are taking this further. For example, the Australian Open Glam Slam enabled LGBTQ+ tennis players of all abilities to participate in tennis while the prestigious Grand Slam was taking place. These initiatives go beyond providing a "safe place" allowing the retention of current LGBTQ+ sporting participants and allies, they attract new people and fans to the sport. Knowing there is an inclusive environment where you are encouraged week in, week out helps make the sport, clubs, and organisation more sustainable.

Fans have a role to play

In 2020, English football’s equality and inclusion organisation Kick It Out launched a YouGov poll with over 1,000 football fans, to gain a better understanding of discrimination incidents across the game. 84% respondents said they would be able to recognise verbal discriminatory behaviour at a game directed at a footballer, match official, coaching staff or fan. Worryingly, a sizeable proportion said they would be unlikely to report an act of discrimination. Stonewall has published tips for fans including:

·???????Visibly showing support for LGBTQ+ people to make it clear sport should be everyone’s game.

·???????Letting clubs and governing bodies know that you value inclusivity and diversity.

·???????Reaching out to or joining LGBTQ+ supporters’ group.

·???????Learning how to report abuse.

·???????If you feel confident and the situation is safe, challenge abusive language yourself in a positive, non-aggressive way.

Addressing Racism

To create real change, we must also address racism when tackling homophobia and transphobia. Racism and racial inequalities exist within sport where longstanding issues result in communities being consistently disadvantaged.

According to Swim England, the sport’s governing body, 95% of Black adults and 80% of Black children in England do not swim, and only 2% of regular swimmers are Black. According to the WHO, the risk of drowning is higher amongst minority ethnic communities. Swimming is a life skill. The Black Swimming Association has highlighted how water safety and education is a top priority. Through their initiatives, they want to see a 20% decrease in drownings in the UK from African, Caribbean, and Asian communities.

The Soul Cap was invented in England by two friends, Michael Chapman and Toks Ahmed-Salawudeen. It provides Black swimmers with a swim cap with extra room to fit more voluminous hairstyles like braids and dreadlocks. The Soul Cap was rejected for use at the Tokyo Olympics by swimming governing body FINA on the grounds that to their “best knowledge, the athletes competing at the International events never used, neither require to use, caps of such size and configuration.” The FINA Committee went on to describe the swim caps as unsuitable due to them not “following the natural form of the head." Swim England disagreed announcing the caps were permitted at all Swim England clubs and competitions under their auspices.

Gloria Tabi, author of Inclusive Teams and Workplaces, recently wrote how addressing workplace bad culture in any company, is to Understand Racism for what it is, what it does in systems and what you can do to mitigate it. Tabi writes "Research tells us that racism is responsible for all exclusionary practices in the workplace."

“Understanding racism helps you to see what is wrong with your current system and why poor workplace culture perpetrates exclusion and why capable and talented people in your companies are marginalised. And finally, it empowers you with the right tools to do something strategically about it.”

Nurturing talent and facilitating a process that values hard work and training coupled with an inclusive environment gives LGBTQ+ people a sporting chance.?Performative allyship, tokenism or motivational quotes will not accomplish anything apart from widespread frustration and disappointment. Fear of experiencing homophobia, transphobia or hatred when attending or participating in a sporting event must never be a dark cloud preventing greater inclusion. Involvement in sport is meant to be a happy time packed with fun and celebration. How can you make sport more inclusive for the LGBTQ+ community and everyone?