Amy Sandler, Ph.D. Department of Women’s Studies University of Nevada, Las Vegas

AAHPERD ConventionApril 2, 2009

MANifestations: Conceptualizing Homophobia in Men’s Sport

Athletics = an island of homophobia and bigotry

Athletic departments to be the most homophobic environment on the college campus.

Athletes and coaches are tremendously homophobic and heterosexist.

(e.g., Griffin, 2007; Jacobson, 2002; Rotella and Murray,1991;

Wolf-Wendel, Toma, & Morphew, 2001)

Six Manifestations of Homophobia Women’s Sport

1. Silence2. Denial3. Apology4. Promotion of a Heterosexy Image5. Attacks on Lesbians in Sport6. Preference for Male Coaches Pat Griffin, 1992

Two realms where it is acceptable for men to be affectionate with one another (Pharr, 1988)

Heterosexuality and orthodox masculinity are expected (Pronger, 1990)

Men MUST articulate their gender in a way that demonstrates homosexuals as an object of disgrace (Kimmel)

Administered “Index of Attitudes Toward Homosexuals”

Two - Division I teams, same sport Women (n = 16), Men (n = 18) 27 of 34 respondents identify as white Neither coach interested in results Men’s coach said that he thinks their sport is

probably one of the most liberal

0

20

40

60

Mean Score, By Team

Series1 54.222 41.3125

Men Women

Score Attitude Toward Homosexuals

0-25 high grade non-homophobic

25-50 low grade non-homophobic

50-75 low grade homophobic

75-100 high grade homophobic

low grade homophobic

low grade non-homophobic

Hudson & Ricketts, 1990

24

10

Comfortable

Uncomfortable

29.4% - uncomfortable

70.6 % - comfortable

4

3.13

0

0.5

1

1.5

2

2.5

3

3.5

4

Series1

Series1 4 3.13

Men Women

0 = Strongly Agree

3 = Neither Agree nor Disagree

5 = Strongly Disagree

4.67

3.81

0

0.5

1

1.5

2

2.5

3

3.5

4

4.5

5

Mean Score

Comfort Level - Same-Sex Attraction

Series1

Series1 4.67 3.81

Men Women

3

30

Comfortable

Uncomfortable

Statement: I would feel comfortable if I found myself attracted to someone of the same sex

88.2 % - uncomfortable

8.8 % comfortable

0 = Strongly Agree

3 = Neither Agree nor Disagree

5 = Strongly Disagree

Women's Team

3

8

50 high grade non-

homophobic

low grade non-homophobic

low grade homophobic

high grade homophobic

Men's Team

0

6

10

2high grade non-homophobic

low grade non-homophobic

low grade homophobic

high grade homophobic

(1) Mocking femininity(2) Threatening violence against gay men(3) The expression of personal discomfort

around gay men.(4) Anti-gay Insults(5) Objectification of Women/Promotion of

a Heterosexual Relationship

“He’s soft, real soft, and some of you guys know what I’m talking about. He gets hit, he folds up like a bitch…” (cited in Anderson, 2005, p.146).

“You try to sell your team on being a rough, tough, hard-nosed football team…I would assume if that person was of that persuasion, I am not sure of the quality of his toughness” (Anderson, 2005, p. 138).

Mocking FemininityManifestations of Homophobia in Men’s Sport

If I found out someone is gay in here, I’d run (him) out. It would be uncomfortable for me and for him in the shower. It would be ugly”

“ I think it would be tough for a lot of athletes that I play with to think that, ‘Wow, I am showering, I am performing on the field, I am bleeding, I am fighting with a person that is a homosexual…I know there would be people definitely taking shots at him…”

(Anderson, 2005, p.138).

?

Aww, Hell no! I don’t want any faggots on my team…that’s a punk. I don’t want any faggots in this locker room,” (Garrison Hearst, in Kaufman, 2003).

“…it would be uncomfortable for me and him in the shower…” (Anonymous SF Giants Player, Anderson, 2005, p.138).

“If I knew there was a gay guy on my college football team, I probably wouldn’t…stand for it…they’re gonna be in the shower with us and stuff, so I don’t think that’s gonna work” (Jeremy Shockey on the Howard Stern Show, 2002)

Expressions of Personal DiscomfortManifestations of Homophobia in Men’s Sport

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vk7vFswrZbE

Objectification of Women (Any)

Hetero-Image (for gay athletes)

At Oregon State University: I hung a picture of a girl from

home in my room and told people she was my girlfriend. That was my excuse for not dating women, but it wore out. I had to hang out with women and do one-night stands. …

On Green Bay Packers: I made sure people saw me

kiss women…

The Top 10 Hottest Hockey Wives & Girlfriends

Manifestations in Women’s Sport (Griffin, 1992)

Manifestations in Men’s Sport (Sandler, 2009)

1. Silence2. Denial3. Apology4. Promotion of a

Heterosexy Image

5. Attacks on Lesbians in Sport

6. Preference for Male Coaches

1. Mocking femininity2. Threatening violence

against gay men3. The expression of

personal discomfort around gay men.

4. Anti-gay Insults5. Objectification of

Women/Promotion of a Heterosexual Relationship