Premium Content:

Organisations Unite Against Homophobia in Sport

yay-828381

The Australian Human Rights Commission is working with the Australian Sports Commission and nation-wide Australian gay rugby competition the Bingham Cup to tackle homophobia in sports.

- Advertisement -

Australia’s not for profit LGBTI employer support program has been commissioned to develop a Pride in Sport Index to help Australian sporting bodies measure themselves on inclusiveness.

The Australian Rugby Union, Australian Football League, National Rugby League, Football Federation Australia and Cricket Australia have all expressed support for a benchmarking index and shown a willingness to join an advisory panel to support the development of the Pride in Sport Index in partnership with the Australian Human Rights Commission and the Australian Sports Commission.

Australian Human Rights Commissioner Tim Wilson said the developments were the beginning of a welcome change in sport.

“We welcome the involvement of five of Australia’s major sports in tackling homophobia on the sporting field and value their efforts in tackling discrimination and promoting inclusiveness,” he said.

“If teams want to win we have to make sure everyone brings their best to the field, that doesn’t happen when they’re wasting their energy suppressing who they are,” he said.

“All people have a right to freely participate in sport, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

“The Pride in Sport Index is an important step towards the goal of eradicating homophobia and discrimination in sport.”

These developments occur in the wake of the release of the first international study of homophobia in sport, conducted on behalf of the Bingham Cup and a coalition of LGBTI sports.

Nearly 9,500 people from English-speaking countries participated in the study, entitled ‘Out on the Fields’. It found that 70%) thought youth team sporting environments were not safe or supportive for lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) people. The study also found that 80% of Australian participants believe that LGB athletes are either not accepted, accepted a little or only moderately accepted in sport.

 

Latest

Furor in the Dominican Republic over lesbian poem based on national anthem

A controversy has broken out in the Dominican Republic...

Convicted rapist Gareth Ward resigns from parliament minutes before motion to boot him out

New South Wales MP Gareth Ward has resigned from...

Bibliophile | Patrick Lenton offers modern queer romcom with ‘In Spite of You’

Revenge is a powerful motivator, but when Jeremy’s journey to self-improvement runs out of spite, where does he go next?

Story suggesting M&S trans employee harassed teen girl goes viral… but is it true?

There's the known facts, and then there's a lot of embellishment.

Newsletter

Don't miss

Furor in the Dominican Republic over lesbian poem based on national anthem

A controversy has broken out in the Dominican Republic...

Convicted rapist Gareth Ward resigns from parliament minutes before motion to boot him out

New South Wales MP Gareth Ward has resigned from...

Bibliophile | Patrick Lenton offers modern queer romcom with ‘In Spite of You’

Revenge is a powerful motivator, but when Jeremy’s journey to self-improvement runs out of spite, where does he go next?

Story suggesting M&S trans employee harassed teen girl goes viral… but is it true?

There's the known facts, and then there's a lot of embellishment.

On This Gay Day | In 1984 Greg Louganis won gold at the LA Olympics

He's been called the greatest diver of all time.

Furor in the Dominican Republic over lesbian poem based on national anthem

A controversy has broken out in the Dominican Republic over a poem written by a lesbian woman. The poem takes inspiration from the country's...

Convicted rapist Gareth Ward resigns from parliament minutes before motion to boot him out

New South Wales MP Gareth Ward has resigned from parliament just moments before moves to have expelled were set to take place. The member for...

Bibliophile | Patrick Lenton offers modern queer romcom with ‘In Spite of You’

Revenge is a powerful motivator, but when Jeremy’s journey to self-improvement runs out of spite, where does he go next?