Netball Australia Fact Sheet Homophobia in Sport Homophobia is defined as prejudice, discrimination, harassment or violence based on a fear, distrust, dislike or hatred of someone who is lesbian, gay or bisexual or transgender. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) athletes experience homophobia in several ways. It can be verbal, physical or emotional harassment, insulting or degrading comments, name calling, gestures, taunts, insults or jokes, humiliating, excluding, tormenting, ridiculing or threatening, refusing to work or cooperate with others because of their sexual orientation or identity. Creating an environment that is welcoming for LGBT athletes has many significant benefits. They include: • happiness and inclusion • freedom and willingness to speak • greater confidence and sense of inclusion • feeling of support • greater productivity and performance success • enhanced enjoyment and pride in and loyalty to the organisation Creating an environment free from homophobia also positively influences the people around LGBT athletes (teammates, coaches, support staff, etc) by: • creating increased team cohesion • lower turnover of personnel • enhanced reputation for the sport • better compliance with national standards • lower absenteeism • an increased likelihood to hit collective performance goals (Brackenridge et al., 2008) Netball is not immune to acts of discrimination, harassment and abuse and in fact shares the common features of most sporting environments where close physical and emotional relationships can develop and inappropriate or unlawful behaviour can take place. The Netball Australia Member Protection Policy supports Netball Australia’s commitment to eliminating discrimination, harassment, child abuse and other forms of inappropriate behaviour from our sport. The policy and associated attachments can be viewed on our website: http://www.netball.asn.au/extra.asp?id=53&OrgID=1 Further Information: Women's Sports Foundation www.womenssportsfoundation.org Australian Human Right Commission www.humanrights.gov.au/human_rights/gay_lesbian/stories.html Play by the Rules www.playbytherules.net.au