Empowering AThletes & Coaches 

Participation in sports can breakdown cultural divides, build lasting friendships, and provide athletes with a sense of social identity. Athletes have a tendency to engage in healthier lifestyle habits and avoid high-risk health behaviors such as alcohol, tobacco, and drug use (Fraser-Thomas et al., 2005). Studies also indicate that student-athletes experience fewer symptoms of depression or suicide and are less likely to engage in violence or demonstrate antisocial behavior in comparison to their peers (Fraser-Thomas et al., 2005). For marginalized communities like lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer or questioning (LGBTQ+) athletes, the opportunity to be a part of a team and play a sport can be life-changing, and in some cases, even lifesaving. 

However, LGBTQ+ athletes are oftentimes victims of heterosexist and transphobic attitudes and behavior in sports. For LGBTQ+ athletes, sports arenas such as weight training facilities, team locker rooms, and the field or court are not always a safe or affirming space. 84% of American athletes surveyed have either witnessed or experienced LGBTQ+ discriminatory language or behavior in sports (Dennison et al., 2015). 11% of LGBTQ+ youth and 51% of trans youth reported not feeling safe in their locker rooms (Dennison et al., 2015). LGBTQ+ youth are twice as likely to drop out of sports compared to their non-LGBTQ+ peers (Doull et al., 2018). 78% of sports spectators in the United States believe that athletic teams are not safe for LGBTQ+ youth athletes (Dennison et al., 2015). The use of derogatory language among teammates, discrimination from coaches, and harassment from spectators result in transgender and gender non-conforming athletes experiencing lower self-esteem (Hellen, 2009 cited in Cunningham et al., 2018) and higher rates of substance abuse, depression and suicide (Rankin & Weber, n.d.). A national survey of over 40,000 LGBTQ+ youth conducted by the Trevor Project found that 40% of LGBTQ+ youth seriously considered attempting suicide and 68% reported symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder (The Trevor Project, 2020). 

In addition to the LGBTQ+ discrimination athletes encounter in practices and competition, LGBTQ+ athletes also face additional barriers to participation such as coming out to their teammates and coaches. Only 1 in 5 LGBQ youth are “out” to their coaches about their sexual orientation (Dennison et al., 2015). Transgender and gender non-conforming athletes in particular are subject to exclusionary policies that either prohibit access to sports altogether or require cost prohibitive medical interventions and evidence of changes to birth certificates in order to participate (Cunningham et al., 2018). The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has published recommended practices and policies of transgender inclusion within athletics if those athletes meet the established medical requirements associated with hormone treatment (Cunningham et al., 2018). Whether or not transgender and gender non-conforming athletes are actually allowed to participate in sports competition is ultimately up to the laws and policies of each individual sport institution, school or state legislature (Morris & Van Raalte, 2016). Although the NCAA has recommended a policy of inclusion that calls for an equal opportunity to participate in competition, many athletes have still been sidelined by state laws, or are left competing without the support of affirming teammates, coaches, sport performance practitioners and counselors due to their geographical location. 

There is empirical evidence that LGBTQ+ athletes experience disproportionate discrimination in sports. Despite the growing number of advocacy groups and increased visibility of LGBTQ+ professional athletes, the mental health, performance and career longevity of LGBTQ+ athletes are being negatively impacted by heterosexist and transphobic attitudes and behavior on their teams. The overarching problem is that most sports teams and athletic programs do not create an LGBTQ+ inclusive environment for athletes. Building a culture of inclusion is not just critical to the mental health and well-being of individual LGBTQ+ athletes, but in fact it is necessary for athletes and teams to reach their optimal potential. 

(Krane & Mann, 2018)

Read the full research article by Krane & Mann (2018) titled Inclusion and normalization of queer identities in women's college sport. 

To learn more about how to prevent discrimination in team spaces and create inclusive policies, be sure to read the recommendations of Susan Rankin and Genevieve Weber in Mind, Body and Sport: Harassment and discrimination - LGBTQ student-athletes.  

One of the most significant actions that an athletic organization can take to protect and support a transgender and gender nonconforming (TGNC) team member is to ensure access to gender-appropriate restrooms and locker rooms for home and away competitions. For a TGNC athlete, the inability to access essential facilities such as gender-appropriate restrooms or locker rooms can trigger acute stress and pose threats to physical and psychological safety (Burnes et al., 2016; Morris & Van Raalte, 2016). In a 2016 study, several transgender participants described such severe fear around the threat of violence and abuse in public restrooms that they took extreme measures to alter their schedules and reduce liquid intake to avoid public restrooms (Burnes et al., 2016). 

The threat to bathroom and locker room safety among TGNC youth is founded on a legacy of discrimination and history of hate crimes. In 2015, 77% of 40,000 transgender adults reported being either verbally harassed, physically attacked, or sexually assaulted while in grades K-12 as a result of their perceived gender identity (James et al., 2016). Ensuring access to locker room facilities that align with athletes’ gender identity can help TGNC athletes overcome a significant barrier to sport participation (Cunningham et al., 2018; Morris & Van Raalte, 2016) and reduce one of the greatest threats to their safety. Further, forcing athletes to use locker rooms that do not align with their gender identity denies TGNC athletes the opportunity to bond with teammates in designated team spaces (e.g., pre-game strategy sessions, half-time meetings, post competition celebrations; Cunningham et al., 2018). To make a locker room facility safe and inclusive, athletes should have access to private showers, changing rooms, and toilets (Griffin et al., 2010). The installation of privacy curtains in team showers and changing spaces can serve as an affordable and effective way to create a more inclusive team locker room facility for TGNC athletes (Cunningham et al., 2018). 

“The American Kinesiology Association endorses inclusive locker rooms, by which we mean sex-segregated facilities that are open to transgender athletes on the basis of their gender identity.” 

- AKA Position Statement 

 To learn more about how to create inclusive locker rooms and athletic facilities read Inclusive spaces and locker rooms for transgender athletes by George B. Cunningham, Erin Buzuvis & Chris Mosier (2018) in the Human Kinetics Journal, and Transgender and gender conforming athletes: Creating safe spaces for all by Jessica F. Morris & Judy L. Van Raalte (2016) in the Journal of Sport Psychology in Action.

From media coverage to advocacy organizations and online groups, all of the sport focused organizations below provide support, media coverage, and connection opportunities for LGBTQ+ athletes, coaches, and allies.

Out Sports: Courage Is Contagious

The most comprehensive online resource for coming out stories and media coverage of LGBTQ+ athletes and coaches in sports.

Sports Equality Foundation

The Sports Equality Foundation is a non-profit that exists to empower LGBTQ+ athletes, coaches, & sports leaders through advocacy and peer support. 

Equality Coaching Alliance

A private Facebook group that provides an open and inclusive discussion area for the coaching community to receive peer support. 

TRANSATHLETE.com

TransAthlete.com is a resource guide created by Chris Mosier containing policy information, tips for trans allies and calls to action to promote trans inclusion in sports at every level. 

Go!space

Go!Space is a private Facebook group that dedicated to LGBTQ+ equality on university campuses for students, administrators, and alumni.

AThlete Ally

Athlete Ally is a non-profit that features personal stories from Pro Ambassadors and an Athletic Equality Index assessing the LGBTQ+ inclusion policies and practices of NCAA athletic departments.

A conversation with Doshia Woods, Head Women's Basketball Coach at Denver University and Cyd Zeigler, Editor of Out Sports on how to  support LGBTQ athletes when they come out on your team. 

A conversation with Bernie Compton and Hannah Bennett about strategies to support, affirm, and advocate for LGBTQ+ athletes and community members during Pride Month presented by AASP, the Association for Applied Sport Psychology. 

The Sport Equality Foundation hosted "A Conversation on Transgender Inclusion in Sports" on TikTok featuring Chris Mosier, Mack Beggs, CeCé Telfer, Brooke Rundle, & Lucy Hochschartner. 

Burnes, T. R., Dexter, M. M., Richmond, K., Singh, A. A., & Cherrington, A. (2016). The experiences of transgender survivors of trauma who undergo social                    and medical transition. Traumatology, 22(1), 75–84. https://doi.org/10.1037/trm0000064

Cunningham, George B., Buzuvis, Erin & Mosier, Chris. (2018) Inclusive spaces and locker rooms for transgender athletes. Kinesiology Review, 7, 365-374.              https://journals.humankinetics.com/view/journals/krj/7/4/article-p365.xml

Denison, E., & Kitchen, A., (2015). Out on the fields: The first international study on homophobia in sport. Australian Sports Commission.                                          https://outonthefields.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Out-on-the-Fields-Final-Report-1.pdf

Doull, M., Watson, R.J., Smith, A., Homma, Y., & Saewyc, S. (2018). Are we leveling the playing field? Trends and disparities in sports participation among                  sexual minority youth in Canada. Journal of Sport and Health Science, 7(2), 218-226. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jshs.2016.10.006

Fraser-Thomas, J.L., Côté, J., & Deakin, J. (2005) Youth sport programs: an avenue to foster positive youth development, Physical Education and Sport                 Pedagogy, 10(1), 19-40. https://search-ebscohost-com.uws.idm.oclc.org/login.aspx?direct=true&db=s3h&AN=16188225&site=eds-live&scope=site

Goldberg, S. K. (2021). Fair Play: The Importance of Sports Participation for Transgender Youth. Center for American Progress.                                                             https://cdn.americanprogress.org/content/uploads/2021/02/09122423/Fair-Play-correction2.pdf

James, S. E., Herman, J. L., Rankin, S., Keisling, M., Mottet, L., & Anafi, M. (2016). The Report of the 2015 U.S. Transgender Survey. Washington, DC: National                 Center for Transgender Equality. https://transequality.org/sites/default/files/docs/usts/USTS-Full-Report-Dec17.pdf

Morris, F., Jessica, & Van Raalte, L., Judy. (2016) Transgender and gender conforming athletes: Creating safe spaces for all. Journal of Sport Psychology                in Action, 7(2), 121-132. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/21520704.2016.1184732. 

Rankin, Susan & Weber, Genevieve. (n.d.) Mind, body and sport: Harassment and discrimination – LGBTQ student-athletes. NCAA Sport Science                           Institute. http://www.ncaa.org/sport-science-institute/mind-body-and-sport-harassment-and-discrimination-lgbtq-student-athletes