Voices are emerging and organizations forming that promote a welcoming and safe environment for LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning) athletes in intercollegiate athletics, and the 20-somethings—gay and straight—are leading the way.
The ever-present videos on youcanplayproject.org make a clear statement: “If you can play, you can play.” But can you? If a wave of recent college graduates have their say, college sports will be an open and inclusive environment, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
“There has been real change in terms of the athletes themselves,” says Dr. Pat Griffin, professor emeritus in the social justice education program at the University of Massachusetts and now a consultant on LGBTQ issues in college sports. Griffin recently worked with the NCAA on an 82-page resource guide, titled Champions of Respect, that was released on March 4.
“I always tell the coaches that their athletes are well ahead of them,” she adds. “It is just not that big a deal to a lot of the athletes whether or not they have gay teammates. I’m talking about men and women.
“If the coach is not comfortable, the coach has all the power. The coach determines what the climate is like on the team.”
This can account for why a study published by Campus Pride, the 2012 LGBTQ National College Athlete Report, details a more negative climate in terms of discrimination toward LGBQ athletes (transgender responses were minimal) than for their heterosexual peers. A negative environment can impact athletic and academic performance.
“I would say it’s a climate of fear in terms of a lot of people don’t want to be the first one to be out, to be different,” says Anna Aagenes, one of the founders of GO! Athletes, a national network of current and former LGBTQ student-athletes and allies that serve to educate and empower.
