The sports world is still reluctant to accept homosexuality

This survey was taken in Canada:

Montréal, May 14, 2010 – This morning for the International Day Against Homophobia, Fondation Émergence revealed the results from a survey on people's perceptions concerning homophobia in the sports world. As a reminder, the 2010 Campaign proposed by Fondation Émergence to fight homophobia and entitled Speaking About Silence calls on all key figures in the sports world.


The public is ready to accept gay and lesbian athletes


For the majority of respondents, 77 % of Québec residents and 68 % from other Canadian provinces, knowing what an athlete's sexual orientation is would not influence an athlete's popularity among fans. Conversely, 18 % in Québec and 20 % elsewhere in Canada, people believe that being gay or lesbian would negatively affect their popularity among fans. Only 5 % and 8 % believe that it would have a positive effect on popularity among fans.


Gay and lesbian athletes reportedly have a lower likelihood of success than heterosexuals do


When asked about the likelihood of success in a gay or lesbian athlete's sports career in comparison with a male heterosexual athlete's, 31 % of Québec respondents and 34 % of respondents from the rest of Canada believe that the likelihood of success would be less than a heterosexual male athlete's.



In sports, a woman's being lesbian is accepted better than a man's being gay


Furthermore, a considerable difference can be seen in people's perceptions regarding lesbian women. Only 13 % of Québec respondents and 20 % of respondents in the rest of Canada believe that their likelihood of success would be less than heterosexual women's. As for people's acceptance of popular gay and lesbian athletes, lesbian women are viewed more favourably than gay men are. Lesbian women have an acceptance level of 74 % among people in Québec compared to 65 % for rest of Canada whereas gay men are only accepted by 60 % of Québec residents versus 52 % for other Canadians.


“This result tends to show that the sports world is a realm that values sexist stereotypes. Women whose physical strength surpasses what's average will be highly esteemed and their chances of success will increase. Yet on the other hand, a gay man's image is still too often equated with poorer physical ability even if it's just plain untrue.” says Mr. Laurent McCutcheon, President of Fondation Émergence. He adds: “In a competition or race the best athletes win regardless of their sexual orientation.”


The sports community does not take the fight against homophobia seriously


Are athletic organizations concerned about the fight against homophobia? When answering this question, only 24 % of Québec respondents and 23 % of respondents elsewhere in Canada think that people are concerned about the fight against homophobia in this community; the other respondents either believe that people are not concerned about it or are unable to answer the question.


Clear progress in attitudes between 2003 and 2010, regarding teammates


A question asked in 2003 for a telephone survey conducted by Léger Marketing in Québec was repeated last April and using the same method. “In your opinion, would a hockey player people know is gay be more well accepted or more poorly accepted by the players or trainer of a professional hockey team?” In 2003, 29 % of respondents said that he would be more well received whereas 42 % said so in 2010. Only 37 % of respondents believe that a gay hockey player would be poorly accepted by his team whereas in 2003, 61 % thought so.


The answer to this question is encouraging. “It shows that if people's perceptions have clearly improved within less than 7 years, such perceptions do not necessarily carry over to sports teams and organizations dedicated to sports. It's all about education and awareness. In this respect it looks like campaigns to fight against homophobia are showing results.” says Fondation Émergence's President.


Speaking About Silence


The 2010 Fight Against Homophobia Campaign is geared toward the sports world and carries the theme: Speaking About Silence. The survey results show the need, particularly on all levels of the sports world, to discuss gay and lesbian issues. This community is one of the most reluctant to accept homosexuality. The sports world is a competitive world in which everyone needs to be up to par with standards of success. Just as gay men and lesbians do not warrant any extraordinary treatment, they should not end up excluded due to their sexual orientation.


People know what they are talking about


Almost all respondents are up-to-date on what the word homophobia means. 97 % of those in Québec and 96 % of those in the rest of Canada are familiar with the definition. A majority of respondents, 85 % in Québec and 82 % elsewhere in Canada, personally know gay men and lesbians, with most knowing more men than women. According to Mr. McCutcheon “This level of acquaintance shows that in most cases that people are now aware of gay and lesbian issues and that the sports world cannot go on isolating itself”.


Survey methodology


The study was carried out from March 26 to April 4, 2010 by the Léger Marketing company for Fondation Émergence. It was conducted among 1501 people chosen from the Legerweb panel in Canada and weighted with help by Statistics Canada in order to provide it with a proportionate scale. The question on the “gay hockey player and his team” was the subject of a telephone survey between March 13 and April 6, 2010, among 1003 Québec residents by following the same method used in 2003, so as to ensure answer comparability. Complete survey results are available on the International Day Against Homophobia website at www.homophobiaday.org.