Openly Lesbian Team Sport Athletes in an Era of Decreasing Homohysteria.

Sociologists who examine the issue of lesbians in American sport in the 1980s and 1990s normally found overt and covert mechanisms of social discrimination. However, homophobia has been on a rapid decline over previous decades, and studies show attitudes toward female homosexuality in sport have improved since the research conducted on lesbian athletes in the mid-1990s. This article uses data collected between that epoch and current studies to analyze athletic narratives of openly lesbian team sport athletes in 2002. We find no universal pattern for the treatment of openly lesbian athletes existed in this era of decreasing homohysteria. However, as with gay men in sport at the time, athletic capital influenced who came out, and heterosexism was prominent

Changing times: discovering how openly lesbian athletes navigate team sport.

Research on lesbian athletes’ experiences is dated, with the majority being conducted in the 1980s and early 1990s. However, the 1980s represent a unique socio-cultural period, one Anderson (2009b) describes as homohysteric. Thus, as society has become more inclusive in previous generations, including within women’s sport (Fink et al 2012; Anderson & Bullingham 2013) and men’s sport (Anderson 2000, 2002, 2005a, 2005b, 2009b, 2011a; Adams & Anderson 2011) there is a need to reconsider the relationship between homophobia and sport. \ud Semi-structured interviews from 31 lesbian athletes (from beginner to international standard players) were analysed using the coding procedures within Charmaz’ approach to grounded theory (Charmaz 2006). Results were subsequently applied to the adapted model of homohysteria (Anderson 2009b; Worthen 2014). Memos were used throughout the coding procedure to aid reflexivity and to ensure that results were grounded in data. \ud \ud Results show athletes competing in a positive environment, gaining support from teammates and coaches. Social situations were fully inclusive, including attending socials in LGBT friendly bars, demonstrating that fear surrounding the lesbian label has declined. Language has helped to develop this inclusive atmosphere; talking about sexuality has been shown to negate the environment of silence formerly experienced by lesbian athletes. \ud \ud This change in environment has changed how athletes ‘come out’. No longer do athletes need to prepare a statement; in fact coming out has become something of a non-event. Some athletes were even able to demonstrate an improvement in their professional lives, due to the diminished requirement to conceal their (homo)sexuality. However, some athletes still shunned the lesbian label, not through fear but by deeming it an unimportant facet of their individuality. Additionally, players’ athletic capital had no effect on their acceptance within the team, with the exception of international athletes. \ud \ud Participants faced very limited incidence of homophobia, but in those cases where homophobia was experienced, they would actively challenge the negative behaviour or language, as would their teammates. The supportive environment extended to providing advice and comfort to any athletes struggling with the process of coming out. In addition, participants in some cases became role models for their teammates. \ud While the majority of the results were positive, there remained room for improvement in certain areas. There is still clear evidence that the environment has not changed for all athletes and there remain some areas to be addressed by sporting administrations. Old stereotypes of the predatory lesbian or the affective nature of sport on sexuality were raised by participants but tended to refer to historic events (over 10 years old)

"I Am What I Am" Comparing the Experiences of Openly Gay and Lesbian PE Teachers with Non-specialist Peers in a Period of Declining Homohysteria

“I am what I am…”: comparing the experiences of openly gay and lesbian PE teachers with non-specialist peers in a period of declining homohysteria This presentation will highlight the initial findings of the project examining the experiences of 13 self-selecting gay and lesbian teachers in order to compare the experiences of those who teach PE and school sports with those who teach more classroom-based subject areas. Recent studies have focused on the complexities faced by openly gay and lesbian teachers in various countries (Ferfolja & Hopkins, 2013; Gray, 2013; Neary, 2012; Fahie, 2016; Connell, 2015). Additionally, studies have been carried out that focus specifically on physical education teachers (Sykes, 2009; Edwards et al., 2014) and music teachers (Palkki, 2015). However, as Edwards et al. (2014) acknowledge there is still a gap in research of teachers working in schools since the removal of Section 28, an act rushed through the UK parliament in a period of high homohysteria (Anderson, 2011; Moran, 2001). This Act has since been repealed and there has been a cultural shift, with homophobia steadily in decline according to GSS data (Anderson, 2011). This project seeks to identify how teachers navigate both homophobia and heteronormativity within an educational context; in addition, it explores perceptions of impact on learners in the classroom as a result of a school culture of openness. The presentation details the initial findings from the interviews carried out, providing a comparative account between the experiences of those who teach Physical Education (as a perceived area of professional vulnerability) and those who teach other curriculum areas

An Overview of the Experiences of Openly Gay and Lesbian Teachers in a Period of Declining Homohysteria: Focus on Climate, Activism and Teaching Environment

This presentation will highlight the initial findings of a small-scale pilot project examining the experiences of 13 self-selecting gay and lesbian teachers working in Primary and Secondary schools in England. The project aimed to give voice to individuals’ lived experience as education practitioners identifying as “out” in the workplace, in order to counteract negative perceptions of hostility to disclosures of sexual orientation by teachers. As Edwards et al. (2014) acknowledge, there is still a gap in research of teachers working in schools since the removal of Section 28, an act rushed through the UK parliament in 1988 during a period of high homohysteria (Anderson, 2011; Moran, 2001). The repeal of the Act in 2003 led to a cultural shift, with homophobia steadily in decline according to GSS data (Anderson, 2011). This project seeks to identify how teachers navigate both homophobia and heteronormativity within an educational context; in addition, it explores perceptions of impact on learners in the classroom as a result of a school culture of openness. The presentation details the initial findings from the interviews carried out, providing a comparative account between the experiences of those who teach in the Primary and Secondary phases of contemporary UK education

Lesbian Athletes in the Media: Ambivalence, Scrutiny and Invisibility

The presentation will provide an overview of academic literature from a range of disciplines, which have considered the role and positions of athletes, women and lesbians in and around sport media; the academic debate will be supported and challenged through empirical illustrations from two contemporary lesbian athletes and their portrayal in the media. Specifically, the cases of Casey Stoney and Megan Rapinoe two openly gay female elite soccer players who have played professionally and represented their respective national teams. The two athletes are a similar age and have a similar experience in terms of the media, political and cultural time periods and the comparison builds upon other trans-Atlantic comparative media studies. The presentation will acknowledge the historical context, academic literature and contemporary empirical illustrations will provide an opportunity to support and challenge the burgeoning debate around lesbian athletes in the media, in particular, around the themes of: ambivalence, scrutiny and invisibility of the athletes or their sexuality. Additionally, it will analyse the assumptions that the media portrays lesbian athletes and their sexual identity through: contradictory ideas, critical observations and ignorance will be substantively explored. This presentation will examine the current debates around women in the sporting media before linking it with sexuality. The discussion on women sport and media will predominately be based on print media (which can consumed online) rather than social media. The use of case studies will acknowledge the changing nature of the print media in relation to two openly lesbian athletes

Lesbian Athletes in the Media: Ambivalence, Scrutiny and Invisibility

The presentation will provide an overview of academic literature from a range of disciplines, which have considered the role and positions of athletes, women and lesbians in and around sport media; the academic debate will be supported and challenged through empirical illustrations from two contemporary lesbian athletes and their portrayal in the media. Specifically, the cases of Casey Stoney and Megan Rapinoe two openly gay female elite soccer players who have played professionally and represented their respective national teams. The two athletes are a similar age and have a similar experience in terms of the media, political and cultural time periods and the comparison builds upon other trans-Atlantic comparative media studies. The presentation will acknowledge the historical context, academic literature and contemporary empirical illustrations will provide an opportunity to support and challenge the burgeoning debate around lesbian athletes in the media, in particular, around the themes of: ambivalence, scrutiny and invisibility of the athletes or their sexuality. Additionally, it will analyse the assumptions that the media portrays lesbian athletes and their sexual identity through: contradictory ideas, critical observations and ignorance will be substantively explored. This presentation will examine the current debates around women in the sporting media before linking it with sexuality. The discussion on women sport and media will predominately be based on print media (which can consumed online) rather than social media. The use of case studies will acknowledge the changing nature of the print media in relation to two openly lesbian athletes