The recent Paris 2024 Olympics was a landmark event, featuring a record 199 openly queer athletes competing in 32 sports. This is a noticeable jump from the previous number of 186 queer athletes at the Tokyo 2020 Games, showing that acceptance and visibility for LGBTQ individuals in sports are on the rise. However, there are still significant hurdles for transgender, intersex, and non-binary athletes, especially in places like Nigeria, where cultural and systemic barriers remain strong.
The issue of homophobia in sports
Homophobia and transphobia are still major issues that impact LGBTQ athletes’ participation and well-being. Research indicates that negative experiences related to sexual orientation and gender identity are common in sports. Here are some eye-opening statistics:
General Awareness
A study called Out on the Fields (2015) found that 80% of both gay and straight people have seen or experienced homophobic behaviour in sports.
Youth Sports
A staggering 73% of respondents felt that youth sports aren’t supportive or safe for LGBTQ participants, which can discourage young athletes from joining in.
Homophobic Behaviour: The same study revealed that 51% of gay and bisexual males and 35% of lesbian and bisexual females aged 15-21 have faced homophobic behaviour in sports.
Fan Experiences
In football, 43% of fans reported witnessing homophobic behaviour at games. Additionally, a Stonewall survey showed that 72% of football fans have heard homophobic abuse during matches.
Use of Slurs
Over half (54%) of male athletes admitted to using homophobic slurs recently, and 69% heard teammates use similar language, contributing to a toxic environment.
Perception of Safety
Nearly 90% of LGBTQ individuals believe that homophobia and transphobia are still serious issues in sports, highlighting the urgent need for guy change.
These numbers paint a clear picture of the ongoing challenges and the pressing need for reforms to create inclusive spaces for all athletes.
The reality of transgender athletes
Transgender athletes face significant challenges in organized sports, including policies on hormone therapy and debates about competition fairness.
Critics often focus on perceived advantages, overshadowing the real issues such as stigma, harassment, and lack of support. Research shows transgender athletes frequently experience “trans disadvantage,” marked by negative encounters like verbal insults and misgendering.
Timothy LeDuc made history as the first openly nonbinary Winter Olympian in 2022, placing eighth in figure skating. Using they/them pronouns, LeDuc advocates for nonbinary visibility and inclusive policies. Despite facing challenges in a gender-binary environment, LeDuc emphasizes the importance of creating safe spaces for nonbinary athletes to compete without fear of discrimination.
The intersex athlete experience
Intersex athletes face distinct challenges, including invasive sex verification tests and immense pressure to conform to binary classifications. These practices not only violate personal privacy but also perpetuate a culture of discrimination that marginalises those who do not fit neatly into traditional gender categories. The stress of navigating these challenges can lead to significant mental health issues, further complicating their athletic pursuits.
Caster Semenya
Semenya first gained attention in 2009 at age 18, when she won the 800m gold medal at the World Championships in Berlin by a wide margin. Her superior performance and masculine appearance sparked controversy with the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) subjecting her to intrusive gender verification tests, which she described as humiliating. The IAAF cleared Semenya to compete in 2010, but the controversy continued, with the athlete facing gossip, abuse, and suspicion about her gender.
In 2018, the IAAF (now World Athletics) introduced new regulations requiring athletes with differences of sex development (DSD), like Semenya, to lower their testosterone levels to below 5 nmol/L for at least 6 months to compete in events from 400m to mile.
Semenya challenged these rules at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in 2019, but her challenge was rejected despite the CAS agreeing the rules were discriminatory.
She appealed to the Swiss Federal Supreme Court, which suspended the rules before reversing the decision, preventing Semenya from competing in World Athletics events.
In September 2020, the Swiss Supreme Court ultimately dismissed Semenya’s appeal, affirming the CAS decision to uphold World Athletics’ rules. In July 2023, the European Court of Human Rights ruled that Switzerland had violated Semenya’s human rights in handling her case, finding the Swiss courts failed to consider her rights sufficiently.
However, the European court did not rule on the legality of the World Athletics regulations themselves, as the governing body is a private organisation not directly bound by human rights treaties.
Semenya’s case has sparked international debate about the fairness of sex-segregated sports, highlighting the broader implications for intersex athletes globally.
James Johnson
Johnson, formerly known as Iyabode Abade, is a Nigerian footballer who was born with an intersex condition. Despite facing significant challenges and discrimination, Johnson has persevered in his athletic career.
Johnson’s exceptional skills earned him a place in the Nigerian women’s national team, the Super Falcons, from 1997 to 2000. However, his tenure was abruptly terminated when team officials discovered his intersex status. At the age of 19, Johnson underwent gender-affirming surgery in the United States in 2004, with support from the then-Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai.
Since then, Johnson has been playing for men’s teams in Nigeria’s elite football league. He has continued to confront discrimination at every level of the game. In 2023, Johnson wrote to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) seeking financial assistance to undergo the final stages of surgery that would enable him to father a child. He expressed his desire to be a fulfilled man if he could complete the transformation process.
Non-binary and genderfluid athletes
Non-binary and genderfluid athletes face exclusion in sports due to rigid male and female divisions, leading to feelings of isolation. This binary structure fails to accommodate diverse gender identities, creating an unwelcoming environment.
A key example is Quinn, a nonbinary Canadian soccer player, who made history as the first openly trans athlete to win an Olympic medal at the Tokyo 2020 Games.
Why we need more black queer representation in sports
The global sporting world has long been characterised by a stark lack of representation for Black queer athletes, a gap that starkly contrasts with the visibility often afforded to their white counterparts.
While the narratives of successful white athletes dominate the media, Black queer individuals frequently find themselves sidelined, their stories marginalised or entirely erased. This absence is not merely a matter of visibility; it reflects deeper systemic issues rooted in racism and homophobia that persist within sports culture.
The representation of Black queer athletes is crucial not only for fostering inclusivity but also for challenging the stereotypes that confine them to narrow roles.
The need for authentic representation in sports is urgent, as it can empower future generations, inspire change, and contribute to a broader understanding of diversity within athletic spaces. Without intentional efforts to uplift Black queer voices, the sporting world risks perpetuating a cycle of exclusion that denies these athletes their rightful place in the narrative of sports history.
The way forward to foster inclusive sports
Need for policy reform
To foster a truly inclusive sporting environment, there is an urgent need for policy reform that incorporates the voices of LGBTQ athletes. Sports organisations must develop inclusive policies that not only allow but celebrate the participation of transgender, intersex, and non-binary athletes. This includes implementing anti-discrimination policies and creating safe spaces for all athletes.
Importance of research and education
In addition to policy changes, there is a pressing need for more research on the performance factors affecting LGBTQ athletes. Educational programs aimed at promoting understanding and acceptance within sports communities are essential to dismantling the stigma surrounding diverse gender identities. Studies have shown that many LGBTQ youth perceive sports as exclusive environments, leading to lower participation rates compared to their heterosexual peers.
Call to action
Sports organisations must take proactive steps to adopt inclusive practices. This includes creating safe spaces for all athletes, implementing anti-discrimination policies, and actively celebrating diversity in all its forms. By doing so, they can help cultivate a culture of acceptance and equality.
Recognising that true inclusivity in sports is not just an ideal but a necessity for fostering a culture of acceptance is crucial. By addressing these challenges head-on, we can build on the momentum of progress and ensure that all athletes are afforded the dignity and respect they deserve. The journey towards inclusivity in sports is ongoing, but with concerted effort and commitment, a more equitable future is possible.
