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chapter 9 Homophobia in Sport German psychologist Karolyn Maria Benkert first coined the term “homosexuality ” in the late nineteenth century. While the word is relatively modern, lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transgendered (LGBT) people have always existed. Historically, the ancient Greeks accepted and celebrated same-sex relationships through the teachings of Plato and the writings of Aristophanes. Voices of the fifth century BCE speak of gender attraction as a personal matter rather than a moral issue. In the present day, sexual orientation and gender expression are serious points of contention, sparking emotional , political, religious, and civil debate. In the sports world, homophobia, which is a generalized fear or intolerance of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, and transgendered people, is rampant. Because people fear difference, the fear of LGBT people is not so surprising . Homophobia rages in almost every segment of American society: young, middle-aged, and elderly; poor, middle-class, and rich; male and female . It can be found in every religion and in every city and town. It impacts workers in arts and culture, professional, and laboring positions. And of course, in sport. What does this fear have to do with sport? Everything and nothing. Everything, because sport is not immune to social ills. Historically, people in all areas of sport were actively discriminated against based on race, gender, ethnicity, and religion. Racism played a key role in denying access to professional sports. Women once were perceived to be too weak for marathon running, weight lifting, and cycling. Following Hitler’s rise to power in 1933, Nazi officials expelled top German athletes who were Jewish. Today, sexual orientation is the target of overt and silent discrimination at every level of sports—professional, Olympic, college, high school, and youth. And fear should have nothing to do with sports, because—just as with an athlete’s Homophobia in Sport 66 race, gender, ethnicity, or religion—sexual orientation or identity has no bearing on athletic ability, leadership skills, or capacity for sportsmanship and heart. Dr. Pat Griffin, Professor Emerita at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and author of Strong Women, Deep Closets: Lesbians and Homophobia in Sport, is working with the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) to address bias and behavior in sports at the K-12 levels. With a history of more than thirty years in higher education, Dr. Griffin has witnessed a changing climate regarding attitudes and acceptance. “When I started doing this work, I was a lone voice in the wilderness. It is good to see change and so many more people doing the work.” While LGBT people have gained some visibility and acceptance in the general culture through the media, athletic culture lags behind. Dr. Griffin feels that we need to consider the role sport has played historically in the larger culture. “Sport has defined masculinity. Sport is where boys learn to be men,” Dr. Griffin explains. “I think that whether it is women in general or gay men and lesbians in particular who want to participate, they are a threat to that historical function.” Homophobia is so menacing and powerful that it stops people from coming out, from being who they are, from reaching their full potential, and it discourages them from playing sports or participating fully in society. In athletics, males and females can experience this differently. Athletics has historically been defined by masculinity and perpetuates a culture that is binary—male or female—with only two ways to fit. In general women can stretch the binary rules of male and female and be accepted as tomboys. Males are not allowed to stretch these rules with the effeminate stereotypes of gay men. The macho locker room is an inner sanctum populated by all the strong masculine stereotypes and follows the scripted military policy (at least until recently) of “Don’t ask; don’t tell.” Consider a quarterback of a top-ten college team or an All-America point guard. Their images have been cast in a mold that does not allow for differences. Universities have rich though sometimes narrow traditions. The phenomenon of student-athletes representing these traditions to alumni, fans, and the general public leaves little room for diversity. Coming out is often a difficult decision. A few athletes choose to do so while at the peak of their career, some after their career has ended, and some are out long before they become involved in sports. It is rarely easy; it is sometimes disastrous; sometimes it is nearly a non-event. The positive side...

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