Discrimination and disparities in the treatment of minorities has always been a major issue in modern society and the world of sports did not escape this controversial issue. Sport has made great strides in the elimination of racial discrimination but discrimination based on gender and sexuality is still rife. With modernity and globalization, people of non-conventional sexualities are getting bolder in expressing their sexuality and pushing for their rightful inclusion in societal issues but a lot still needs to be done. Different initiatives are therefore required to try and make sport an open space where all people can participate regardless of their sexuality.
The first suggestion to making sport an open space for all would be to increase the visibility of results from studies of LGBT issues in sports. This can be done by holding interviews on mass media tools where these results showing the presence of LGBT personalities in sports would go a long way in reducing the stigma associated with non-conventional sexualities. Regular publication and visibility of these issues help to normalize the presence of LGBT issues and reduce people’s intolerance to LGBT issues (Course Text, PICTURE 2). Secondly, personalities both within and outside sports should be encouraged to be ‘out and proud’. This open expression of their sexuality will help in reducing heteronormativity as more and more people embrace non-conventional sexuality. Lastly, sports authorities can enact legislation and policies to ensure that sport is a welcoming environment for all, regardless of gender and sexuality. The legislation would help in ensuring that the rights and differences of all in the sport are respected. (Course Text, PICTURE 1)
Delegate your assignment to our experts and they will do the rest.
If the above steps are followed, they will go a long way in ensuring that sport is an open space where people of non-conventional sexuality are free to participate without having to hide their sexuality and be the best they can be.
References
Course Text (PICTURE 1): Case Studies in Sport Development. Chapter 5: Queering Sports One Team at a Time
Course Text(PICTURE 2): Sport for Development, Peace, and Social Justice. Chapter 8: Making Space for Gay Sport Participants
