Tackling Homophobia and Transphobia in sport

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Yesterday David Cameron held the second event at 10 Downing Street (the first was this time last year) to demonstrate the coalition’s commitment to LGB&T equality.

The particular focus of this event was the Sports Charter which the government is asking sporting bodies and individuals to sign up to – to kick homophobia and transphobia out of sport and I have written about this very important campaign before on this blog several times.

Many sporting bodies were represented at the event – and are signed up to the charter. To show your support you can sign up here.

Just on a personal note – I used to be in my school’s tennis team (many decades ago) and in those days the ball boys (and girls) for Queens Tournament the week before Wimbledon came from London schools and I was one such for about three years running. So it was a real honour and pleasure to meet Billie Jean King at the event – for whom I did indeed ball girl all those years ago!

0 thoughts on “Tackling Homophobia and Transphobia in sport”

  10. I saw the big interview you did with Total Politics magazine Lynne. Care to explain your definition of your remit which was as follows: “I have women, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender.”

    Thanks.

  12. I am really not sure the sporting community is even at first base in dealing with transphobia. The whole nature of it is so gender segmented, with such limited understanding of the issues, that it raises questions which are entirely different from those campaigning for the elimination of homophobia. In fact, whilst I do applaud efforts to get movement here, this arena is possibly one in which the differing prejudices faced by trans people (vs gay people) are most starkly displayed. The trans community is, very rightly, sensitive to the tokenistic use of the ‘T’ in this LGB & T initiative. It has happened so often before.

    I know of a successful and talented club runner who has transitioned and is only able to compete in women’s events if he she either obfuscates or conceals her past. When she approached UK Athletics to get some clarity on this, she was effectively told that the only way they could proceed was by ‘turning a blind eye’, and it would probably be ok “as long as she didn’t win anything”.