Lesbian Experiences in Sport: A Social Identity Perspective

Abstract

In this paper, we introduce the social identity (SI) perspective to enhance our understanding of the experiences of lesbians in sport. This perspective attempts to explain individual and social behavior through perceptions of group membership. It examines the interactions among social forces, self-concept, selfand collective (e.g., team) esteem, and identity development. We apply the perspective to create a social psychological framework for examining lesbians' experiences in sport. Context plays a central role in SI perspective, and the sport environment is unique in creating mechanisms that frame sport experiences for lesbians. We employ the major components of SI perspective (social and self-categorization, social comparison, individual mobility, and social change) to explain and describe how attitudes and behaviors of lesbians and about lesbians in sport are initiated, instituted, and sustained.