LGBTQIA+

What did our research with the sector conclude?

In recent years, the focus on LGBTQIA+ inclusion in sport has seen a gradual rise, though literature remains comparatively limited. Insights from the research reflect a growing awareness of the unique challenges faced by LGBTQIA+ individuals, particularly in traditionally male-dominated sports. While attitudes are evolving, the research suggests that further engagement and inclusive policies are needed to create genuinely supportive environments. There is a clear call for proactive measures, such as anti-discrimination policies and staff training, to foster safer spaces for LGBTQIA+ individuals in sports.

The following comments are from the 2024 research study, reflecting the range of views expressed by participants.

• "Only 5% of respondents felt enough was being done to tackle homophobia and transphobia in sport."
• "Zero tolerance to homophobic language and behaviours has helped some places feel safer, but in many cases, it's not reinforced."
• "The presence of Pride flags and supportive signage in sports facilities makes a visible difference and fosters a sense of safety."
• "There is a lot of confusion and sensitivity around the issues of gender reassignment in sport; more clarity and specific guidelines would help clubs and organisations feel more confident in making inclusive decisions."
• "We need a much more informed approach to supporting gender diversity, especially in youth sports, where identity is so crucial. Gender reassignment isn't just a checkbox - it impacts everything from training environments to competition categories."
• "The binary structure of boys' vs. girls' sports reinforces stereotypes and excludes those who do not fit into these categories."

Barriers

Homophobia - homophobia is one of the key barriers preventing members of the LGBTQIA+ community from participating in sports. The Scottish LGBT Sports Charter Guidance from 2015[2] details how, in a survey conducted by the Equality Network in 2012 as part of their research project 'Out for Sport', only 5% of respondents felt enough was being done to tackle homophobia and transphobia in sport. In the same survey, 56% of respondents had experienced or witnessed homophobia and transphobia in sport[3].

Transphobia and gender stereotypes - transphobic bullying is still a major problem in sport and acts as a key barrier preventing trans and non-binary participation in sport. Furthermore, the majority of competitive sports have binary categories for men and women, creating barriers for trans and non-binary sports participants.. Within these spaces, there is also a strong emphasis on gendered appearance standards, and transphobic judgement of those who do not conform.

Experiences at school - experiences at school shape attitudes towards sports from children who identify as part of the LGBTQIA+ community, and homophobic and transphobic bullying is still an everyday occurrence at school for many young people in the UK. Stonewall's School Report found that more than 55% of young LGBTQIA+ people had been directly bullied in school, and 99% of young people had heard the term 'gay' used negatively. In the NUS 'Out in Sport' report, 41.9% of respondents to a survey said that they had been put off participating in sport by their experiences of sport in school.[4]

Spaces - some facilities do not meet the needs of LBTQIA+ people, in particular trans and non-binary people. This could be because of binary, open-plan changing facilities and showers; the layout of gyms e.g. grouping all types of weights together which is inherently a male-dominated area of the facility, and is often found to be intimidating and maintaining a dress code, e.g. no t-shirts in the pool.

Lack of representation - with shifting societal attitudes towards inclusivity, more elite athletes are becoming open about their sexual identity, but numbers are still very small in certain sports like men's football and men's rugby. See 'Football vs. Homophobia: The Strategy' for more information on this.[5]

What we can do about it

Diversity the workforce

• Inclusive employment and representation - ensure your organisation / club / facility has sexual orientation and gender identity employment policies, and ensure these are made in collaboration with members of the LGBTQIA+ community.
• Staff training / educational resources - mandatory EDI training for all employees with a bank of resources for staff to conduct their own learning in their own time. Ensuring staff are keeping up to date with the latest developments in language.

Create zero tolerance for discrimination and abuse

• Encourage a zero tolerance environment to homophobia - challenge homophobic and discriminatory language and behaviours, and respond with zero tolerance, e.g. banned from the gym, kicked off the team. Create environments where people feel safe reporting abuse e.g. offer an anonymous feedback box.
• Policies and practices - ensure your facility / club has equality and diversity policies in place to protect people from bullying or harassment. Develop and publish clear gender inclusion policies, ensuring they are easily accessible to members.
• Raise awareness - try to understand, and subsequently raise awareness of, the barriers faced by members of the LGBTQIA+ community.
• Be visible supporters of LGBTQIA+ inclusion - openly publish policies around tackling homophobia and transphobia on websites, social media, notice boards; celebrate and support content from LGBTQIA+ members; have visible pride flags; get involved with various pride events, e.g. parades, pride runs, pride competitions. Openly publish policies around tackling transphobia on websites, social media, notice boards and celebrate and support content from trans and non-binary members.
• Take a leadership role in the media - governing bodies and organisations like sportscotland can play a key role through visible commitments to tackling homophobia and transphobia in sport. Work with the media to improve coverage of LGBTQIA+ issues in sport, and train officials and stewards to identify and challenge homophobic and transphobic language.

Create safe and approachable spaces

• Staff training / educational resources - mandatory equality, diversity and inclusion training with content related to trans and non-binary inclusion for all employees with a bank of resources for staff to conduct their own learning in their own time. Making sure staff are keeping up to date with the latest developments in language.
• Inclusive gendered and mixed class offers - Offer both gendered and mixed classes, providing opportunities for all to participate.
• Facilities - provide changing facilities that include private options to accommodate all genders and support diverse needs.
• Layout and gender-presumptions - remove gender-presumptions from gyms about type of equipment and exercises women and men use/do, e.g. heights of equipment, gym floor layout.
• Dress code - Review and adapt clothing requirements to ensure they are inclusive and sensitive to diverse needs and preferences. Accommodate the needs of transgender young people through inclusive options. e.g. during swimming lessons, allow young people to wear t-shirts if they feel more comfortable.
• Representation - make body-diversity visible in promotional materials and on website / social media; include trans and non-binary flags on materials.
• Equalities data - offer non-binary / inclusive / self-identifying options for memberships. If using membership forms in facilities, use standard EDI questions from sportscotland. If additional advice is needed, consult groups like Stonewall Scotland or Scottish Trans Alliance for best practise on equalities monitoring and gender identities.
• Language - remove gendered language, and promote the sharing of pronouns.
• Policies and practices - ensure your facility / club has equality and diversity policies in place to protect trans and non-binary people from bullying or harassment.
• Encourage zero tolerance environment to transphobia - challenge language and behaviours and respond with zero tolerance, e.g. banned from the gym, kicked off the team. Create environments where people feel safe reporting abuse; offer an anonymous feedback box.
• Clearly communicate peak and quiet times to accommodate participants who may prefer less busy environments.

Collaborate with local LGBTQIA+ organisations

• Partnerships - are there any LGBTQIA+ organisations or groups you could partner or collaborate with? E.g. LEAP Sports run events throughout the year, why not take part?
• Understand your local community - sport organisations need as clear a picture as possible of the local community landscape, who is being engaged and where sports and services are being delivered to help create wider pathways and opportunities.
• Listen to grassroots organisations and offer co-leadership of activities - LGBTQIA+ grassroots organisations can help identify opportunities for making activities more inclusive, and can co-lead on activities. It is important that collaborations are inclusive of all partners.

Data collection and self-evaluation

• Inclusive equalities data - Collect data on equalities issues in a sensitive manner. If using membership forms in facilities, use EDI questions from sportscotland. If further advice is needed, consult groups like Stonewall Scotland[6] or Scottish Trans Alliance[7] for best practise on equalities monitoring and gender identities.
• If you have members from the LGBTQIA+ community involved in your club / facility, ask if they feel comfortable or if there's anything more the organisation / club could be doing.