Homosexuality in women's sports
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Since women's participation has greatly increased in many sports formerly considered masculine following the Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the stereotype of the lesbian athlete has become more prominent.
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[edit] History
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits sex discrimination in educational institutions that receive any federal funds. Between 1970 and 2001 there has been a 468% increase in the number of women participating in college sports. After World War II the stereotype emerged even more than before. Through the 1910’s and 1920’s there was an ongoing debate about how sports could damage female reproductive ability and how sports unleashed heterosexual passion. It was thought that physical activity would interfere with menstruation and increase women's libido. In the 1930’s, the lesbian stereotype began to arise and accusations became harsher as time went on and women became more prominent in athletics. Now sports have become a way for lesbians to socialize and recognize each other. Women’s teams usually tend to be more accepting in their social attitudes towards other player, which makes women more comfortable with coming out. Also, this has been extremely beneficial for those women who do not play sports, but are still homosexual because it is easier for them to come out too.
[edit] Stereotypes
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Some men label many female athletes as ‘butch’, perhaps because they feel threatened by physically powerful women and seek to find a weakness to criticize.[citation needed] Even after the passage of Title IX there has still been pressure for women to conform to traditional feminine stereotypes and stop playing sports.
The fact that many prominent women athletes, such as Billie Jean King, later came out as lesbians, wrongly leads fans, coachs and athletic directors to infer that most female athletes are lesbians. In 1972, ninety percent of all women’s sports teams were coached by women, but today this number is below forty-nine percent. Men now coach the majority of teams because athletic directors do not want their teams labeled as lesbians so they hire male coaches. Directors may go out of their way to hire men just so their team is not tarnished by a homosexual reputation. This is a stereotype because not all female athletes are lesbians. Heterosexual women need to fight the label of lesbianism because not all players are lesbian and those who are not should not be labeled. This increases the pressure on other players to dress up in heels, makeup, and nice hair in order to not become labeled.
[edit] Homophobia
Several studies have shown that women are generally not homophobic[citation needed]. The NCAA addressed this issue also and believes that many athletes are uncomfortable with being labeled but will not stand up for it in fear that they might accidentally admit to being homosexual.
[edit] Code of Silence
Some articles and studies say that in women’s athletics there is a code of silence that must be honored. Lesbians are not to be spoken of or speak in general for fear that fans will abandon the game. This stigma gets in the way of female athletes being able to excel in sports. This policy of silence means that lesbians must monitor themselves at all times and this becomes a hindrance. In addition, not all fans of women’s are supporting of lesbians, which makes lesbians want to stay in the closet more.
[edit] Participation
Girls fears of homophobia can contribute to some girls not participating in athletics. These girls are afraid of being labeled as a lesbian and also they are afraid that a teammate or coach is a lesbian. A different study said that women playing sports puts a question on their heterosexuality. The author of the study said that girls who dared to sweat and become dirty had to over come the crossing between being a pretty girl who prized their physical appearance and material gains and an athletic strong girl.
[edit] Media Coverage
Media coverage of women’s athletics pressures women to create an image of heterosexual femininity and create a socially attractive image. The media tries to suppress the ideas of homosexuality within the sports world, especially when it comes to women. These contradict the goals of the feminist movement and also the beliefs of some female athletes. Media coverage of rugby, which is game of survival of the fittest and a very high contact sport, is either trivialized, criticized, or sympathized by the media. Many lesbians who play in the Rugby Union feel they cannot come out as a lesbian which creates a “culture of the closet”. Female athletes on the professional level that exhibit the norms of femininity and conformity are more likely to be popular in the media.
[edit] Situational Homosexuality
Many female athletes are being associated with the masculine stereotype and are surrounded by women for long periods of time if they are active in their sport. This may bring on “situational homosexuality” for some women. This phenomenon strangely is not related to the gay community, but rather to the fact that women are surrounded by the same sex for extended periods of time. The more masculine women’s sports are usually team sports such asbasketball, rugby, soccer, and football. This creates a team dynamic for women and they may be more likely to be homosexual or explore their sexuality. A study done in France showed that some athletic environments support “homosociable” functioning of teams. Two soccer clubs were allowed to meet other females and potential partners in a ‘secure’ place. This type of facilitating could contribute to situational homosexuality. Also this study showed that women tended to have fewer relationships with men even if they were heterosexual. This is because they felt that it may disrupt the “homosociability” of the team and the social bonds that tie the team together.
[edit] Coming Out as a Homosexual
Coming out as a female athlete is more accepted than a male athlete. An NFL football player would likely destroy his career if his homosexuality were discovered. Groups such as the Gay and Lesbian Athletes Association seek to make it easier for lesbians to come out by providing a variety of services such as a peer support group composed of homosexual athletes, coaches, athletic directors, and counselors.
[edit] References
- De Jong, A. (April 13, 2005). "Female athletes face lesbian stereotypes". Daily Bruin; UCLA
- Elling, Agnes, De Knop, Paul,and Knoppers, Annelies. “The Social Integrative Meaning of Sport: A Critical and Comparative Analysis of Policy and Practice in the Netherlands.” Sociology of sport journal”. 18.4 (2000): 414.
- Goldman, Tom. (2005 April 21). “Attitudes may be changing in locker rooms about gay athletes”. National Public Radio.
- Hawes, Kay. The Scarlet Letter Of Sports. The NCAA News.
- Hoffman, Tyler. What Does It Mean to Be Gay In Sports? Canada Newswire Ltd. June 20, 2005.
- Knight, Jennier L, and Giulaino, Traci A. Blood, sweat, and jeers: the impact of the media's heterosexist portrayals on perceptions of male and female athletes.
- Mennesson, C & Clement, J. "Homosociability and Homosexuality: The Case of Soccer Played by Women". International Review for the Sociology of Sport, 2003, 38, 3, Sept, 311-330.
- Plymire, Darcy. Forman Pamela. Speaking of Cheryl Miller: Interrogating the Lesbian Taboo on a Women’s Basketball Newsgroup. National Women’s Studies Association Journal. 2001.
- Shakib, Sohaila. Female basketball participation: Negotiating the conflation of peer status. The American Behavioral Scientist; Jun 2003; 46, 10; ABI/INFORM Global pg. 1405.
- Wright, Jan and Clark, Gill. "Sport, the media and the construction of compulsury heteosexuality: a case study of Women's Rugby Union." International Review for the Sociology of Sport. Vol. 34, Issue 3, p. 227-243.
