Come Out To Play: The Sports Experiences of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) people in Victoria

Abstract

Despite extensive changes in social attitudes to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT)
\nAustralians over the last decade, research shows they still experience significant levels of
\ndiscrimination and abuse. There is very little direct empirical research on the sport experience of
\nLGBT Australians. Whilst other disadvantaged groups in the Australian sport context have been
\nrecognised in the research and policy agenda, the existence, experiences and needs of LGBT peoples
\nwithin sport have largely been ignored. Both implicit discrimination that results from
\n‘heteronormative’ attitudes and explicit discrimination that causes LGBT sports-people to remain in
\nthe closet, become isolated and essentially silenced, have shaped a circle of silence on this topic.
\nSport plays a significant role in Australian society; however, it is a place where LGBT Australians are
\nlargely silent and invisible. Come Out To Play is the first comprehensive survey of the LGBT sport
\nexperience in Australia and provides rich insight through closed and open ended responses into the
\nsporting lives, passions, rewards and challenges of these sports participants, supporters, volunteers
\nand workers.