Examples

Examples of sexuality discrimination, harassment and homophobia in sporting clubs

There are many ways (some blatant, some subtle) that discrimination, harassment and homophobia occur in sporting clubs. Some examples include:

• A club official spreads rumours about a ‘lesbian take-over’ and covertly lobbies against the nomination of a female club member for a position on the executive committee, because of her perceived homosexuality.
• A parent suspects that his son’s coach is gay (and therefore a paedophile) and demands that the coach be removed from the position.
• A selection panel discusses an applicant’s sexuality when considering her for a place on the team or an administrative position.
• Team members refuse to accept instructions, make derogatory comments and openly undermine an official’s authority because they think that he’s gay.
• A parent complains that she doesn’t want her daughter playing in a team full of ‘dykes’. 
• A male player is ‘outed’ by someone in the club and subjected to taunts from other players.
• A player is dropped from the team once it’s known that she’s a lesbian.
• Only ‘wives and husbands’ of club members are invited to club social activities or allowed access to club facilities and equipment.
• A team manager is sacked before a tour because he leaves his wife for another man and doesn’t deny the nature of the relationship.
• Players refuse to play against a team with a gay team member because of fears about HIV transmission
• Snide sexual remarks are made about a female athlete because she has had a number of male partners.
• A female club member is ridiculed and called ‘lezzo’ because she has short hair, is very fit and muscular and doesn’t wear makeup.
• A young male player is called ‘poofter’ and ‘nancy’ because he objects to the offensive comments made about women by some of the other team members.