Over 40% of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) Canberrans have felt unsafe in a sporting environment and 32.2% have experienced verbal homophobia/bullying in sport, a new report has found.
Coinciding with International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia, the Inclusive Sport Survey Report presents findings on the sport experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people in the ACT.
Key findings include:
- 37.1% of respondents were ‘not out’ regarding their sexuality and/or being transgender.
- Over 40% of respondents have felt unsafe in a sporting environment.
- 34% of survey respondents experienced sexism in sport.
- 32.2% of respondents experienced verbal homophobia/bullying in sport.
- 7.1% of respondents experienced verbal harassment/bullying in sport based on being transgender or intersex.
- 4.4% of survey respondents experienced physical assault in sport.
- Over 50% of respondents don’t know if their club or recreation provider has policies around safety and inclusion for LGBTI people, or anti-discrimination policies regarding sexual orientation, gender identity or intersex status.
- The most common ‘main’ sport or recreational activity identified in the survey is football/soccer (12.9%), followed by weights/circuits (8.4%) and group fitness (7.1%).
The survey undertaken by Sport and Recreation Services follows closely the launch last month of the You Can Play campaign by Play by the Rules. High profile athletes across a range of popular sports, including David Pocock from the Brumbies and Lauren Jackson from the Capitals, are featured in the Campaign.
You Can Play has the support of Australia’s five professional codes, who together committed to rid their sports of homophobia.
In an international first, the Australian Rugby Union, Australian Rugby League, Australian Rules Football, Football Federation Australia and Cricket Australia last month announced that they will develop an Anti-Homophobia and Inclusion Framework prior to Sydney hosting the Bingham Cup in August 2014.
(Andrew Barr Media Release)
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