Improving the Lives of Lgbtq Youth in Sports

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PLAY to WIN IMPROVING THE LIVES OF LGBTQ YOUTH IN SPORTS A SPECIAL LOOK INTO THE STATE OF LGBTQ INCLUSION IN YOUTH SPORTS Play to win: IMPROVING THE LIVES OF LGBTQ YOUTH IN SPORTS INTRODUCTION 2 On the field, court or track, in the ring, on the ice, But in too many places, sports are not always a safe or affirming space for aspiring LGBTQ athletes. or in the stands, differences we transcend our in the spirit of honest and perseverance. competition For millions of Americans, embodies sport our ideals fairness,of equality, discipline and perseverance, integrity. Introduction Play to win: IMPROVING THE LIVES OF LGBTQ YOUTH IN SPORTS INTRODUCTION 3

espite visibility of LGBTQ the growing athletes, coaches and officials, gains and the incremental in professionaland collegiate sports, youth http://www.outonthefields.com/media/#United%20States Dennison E, Kitchen A. (2015). Out on the Fields: The First targets of anti-LGBTQ exclusion. or treatment They from coachesfear discrimination or officials, which may their identitiesforce them to conceal from their teams. face youth gender expansive and Transgender participation. barriers to sports greater even Anti-transgender trans policies work to keep youth off the field. in jurisdictions with more Even policies,inclusive a lack of education, awareness and training among coaches and parents can make hostile for trans youth. actively the experience 1 International Study on Homophobia in Sport. Nielsen, Bingham Cup Sydney 2014, Australian Sports Commission, Federation of Gay Games. sports continues to lag behind. Too many LGBTQsports continues to lag behind. Too witnessed they have youth report that or been the D Play to win: IMPROVING THE LIVES OF LGBTQ YOUTH IN SPORTS INTRODUCTION 4 * . Survey materials asked participants about. Survey asked materials

OF AMERICANS OF AMERICANS SURVEYED HAVE WITNESSED OR EXPERIENCED

http://www.outonthefields.com/media/#United%20States %

experiences with “homophobia”, so answers may only be directly applicable to LGBQ discrimination. 4 Australian Sports Commission, Federation of Gay Games. Survey findings from: Dennison E,A. Kitchen the Fields: The First International (2015). Out on Study on Homophobia in Sport. Nielsen, Bingham Cup Sydney 2014,

* 8 ANTI-LGBTQ ATTITUDES IN SPORTS IN ATTITUDES ANTI-LGBTQ Play to win: IMPROVING THE LIVES OF LGBTQ YOUTH IN SPORTS BUILDING CHARACTER THROUGH INCLUSION 5

including accountability, including accountability, leadership and dedication. of participation are well known,of participation skills sport can also instill life Though physical health benefitsThough physical health athletes across America. Sport plays an enormous role in Sport plays an enormous the lives and identities of young Inclusion Through Through Character Character Building Building Play to win: IMPROVING THE LIVES OF LGBTQ YOUTH IN SPORTS BUILDING CHARACTER THROUGH INCLUSION 6 2 3

youth are being deprivedand its ideals of the true spirit of sport — all

articipation in sport also goes in andarticipation in hand with achievement hand tend to do better who play sports academically. outcomes.positive Youth problem solving skills. teamwork and betterThey develop They make Jessica L. Fraser-Thomas, Jean Côté & Janice Deakin (2007) Youth sport programs: an avenue to foster positive youth development, to foster positive sport programs: an avenue (2007) Youth Jean Côté & Janice Deakin Jessica Fraser-Thomas, L. and Homma, & Elizabeth Saewyc. Marion Douall, J. field? Trends the playing Annie Smith, 2018. Are we leveling Ryan Watson, Yuko AND CELEBRATING THE INCLUSION OF ALL YOUTH IN SPORT. IN YOUTH ALL OF INCLUSION THE AND CELEBRATING 2 10:1, 19-40. and Sport Pedagogy, Physical Education 3 minority youth in Canada.disparities among sexual in sports participation Journal of Sport and Health Science 7 (218-226). how to build camaraderie, foster community, emphasize diversity and teach emphasize diversity community, how to build camaraderie, foster discipline and responsibility to one another. PROMOTING REQUIRES SPORT OF SPIRIT TRUE THE UPHOLDING This type of inclusion is particularly critical in team sports,This type of inclusion is particularly where participation with increased self-esteemis linked and self-confidence, and lowered stress, anxiety and depression rates. Inclusion doesn’t just benefit individual athletes — it teaches all team members character-building lessons so long as any young and benefits. Moreover, on the sidelines or excluded simply for being altogether is kept who athlete they are, of fairness, competition and integrity. health decisions, risk behaviors. to engage in various and are less likely LGBTQWhen youth are excludedsport, from they miss out on theseimportant P Play to win: IMPROVING THE LIVES OF LGBTQ YOUTH IN SPORTS LEFT ON THE SIDELINES 7

“do not of 24 percent Johnston LD, O’Malley PM, Miech RA, Bachman JG, Schulenberg 4 JE. Survey Monitoring the Future National Results on Drug Use: Findings on Adolescent Key Drug Use. Ann 1975-2016: Overview, MI:Arbor, Institute for Social Research; of Michigan University 2017. Note: HRC Survey specifically about asked school sports Youth about both sport participation whereas Monitoring the Future asked of respondents only 4 percent to the in and out of school. However, HRC their in sports at not participate they did sample report that school due to already playing an outside-of-school sporting activity. Sidelines role in the Sport plays an influential lives Americans. of young A nationally University study from the representative 68% of high of Michigan found that least one sport.school seniors play at just Comparatively, LGBTQ youth, and only 21% of high school seniors, currently play on a sports team for their school, with 13 percent they avoided of reporting that playing sports altogether because they feel [they] will be accepted on the team because [they are] LGBTQ.” Left on the the on Left Play to win: IMPROVING THE LIVES OF LGBTQ YOUTH IN SPORTS LEFT ON THE SIDELINES 8 .

TransAthlete.com

5 PARTICIPATE PARTICIPATE

, OF LGBTQ YOUTH YOUTH LGBTQ OF THAT REPORT THEY IN SPORT %

0 states that require changes,states that birth certificate judgements on a case-by-case make and/or states that basis. from Information 33 STATES THAT STILL HAVE ANTI-LGBTQ ANTI-LGBTQ HAVE STILL THAT STATES 33 Anti-LGBTQ policies sport participation include statespolicies, with no require states that transgender athletes to undergo unnecessary medical intervention,

5 2 IN THE IN SPORTPARTICIPATION POLICIES ONLY Play to win: IMPROVING THE LIVES OF LGBTQ YOUTH IN SPORTS LEFT ON THE SIDELINES 9 ”

Youth Youth respondents said: THE GUYS ON “ SPORTS TEAMS… CALL EVERYTHING THEY DON’T LIKE ‘GAY’. ” WORTH I HOW MUCH I WOULDTO NEED PROVE MY MASCULINITY TO MY LOVED PLAYING SPORTS. TEAMMATES ISN’T — THAT “ What keeps them away keepsWhat them away from sports participation? LEFT ON THE SIDELINES Play to win: IMPROVING THE LIVES OF LGBTQ YOUTH IN SPORTS 10 national sample national of all youth % 68 youth who currently currently youth who HRC sample of LGBTQ youth

% transgender boys non-binary youth transgender girls 24

% % % 14 14 12 Percentage of sports a on teamplay Play to win: IMPROVING THE LIVES OF LGBTQ YOUTH IN SPORTS CALLING THE PLAYS 11 Their actions environment where LGBTQ youth feel safe disclosing their sexual or gender identity. orientation Unfortunately, too often a coach’s Unfortunately, attitudes, behaviors and biases or implicit — — whether explicit of an the creation can prevent Coaches set the tone bothon and off the field. and attitudes shape the team environment impact a and greatly player’s experience. the plays the Calling Calling Play to win: IMPROVING THE LIVES OF LGBTQ YOUTH IN SPORTS CALLING THE PLAYS 12 ”

ATTACKED BY BY ATTACKED I WAS BULLIED BULLIED I WAS “ MY TEAMMATES. MY BY COACHES AND COACHES BY CALLING THE PLAYS Play to win: IMPROVING THE LIVES OF LGBTQ YOUTH IN SPORTS 13 * NOT OPEN

in Based on number of LGBQ a coach or coaches, youth who have n=7494.

* 4 TO COACHES THEIR ABOUT LGBQ YOUTHLGBQ ARE THEIR SEXUALTHEIR ORIENTATION Play to win: IMPROVING THE LIVES OF LGBTQ YOUTH IN SPORTS CALLING THE PLAYS 14 ” FOR BEING I WAS BULLIED BULLIED I WAS TRANSGENDER. “ Play to win: IMPROVING THE LIVES OF LGBTQ YOUTH IN SPORTS CALLING THE PLAYS 15 *

OF TRANSGENDER AND GENDER YOUTH EXPANSIVE

% Based on number a coach or coaches, of transgender youth who have n=2393.

2 NOT OUT TO THEIR COACHES COACHES NOT OUT TO THEIR

8 ARE ABOUT THEIR GENDER IDENTITY CALLING THE PLAYS Play to win: IMPROVING THE LIVES OF LGBTQ YOUTH IN SPORTS 16 Furthermore, youth who drop out Furthermore, youth 6 Marion Douall, Ryan J. Watson, Annie Smith, Yuko Homma, & Marion Douall, J. Annie Smith, Ryan Watson, Yuko Elizabeth Saewyc. 2018. Are we leveling the playing field? Trends Elizabeth Saewyc. the playing field? Trends 2018. Are we leveling minority youth and disparities among sexual in sports participation in Canada. Journal of Sport and Health Science 7 (218-226). 6 than their peers who still play and those than their peers played all.who never at almost twice that of their non-LGBTQalmost twice that peers. health outcomesdeal with mental worse teammates and/or governing bodies, LGBTQ a rate at out of sports youth drop Without the support of coaches, the support Without Play to win: IMPROVING THE LIVES OF LGBTQ YOUTH IN SPORTS BOXED OUT 17 barriers for young transgender and barriers for young transgender athletes.gender expansive Exclusionary policies and environments greater even in youth sports pose Boxed Out Boxed BOXED OUT Play to win: IMPROVING THE LIVES OF LGBTQ YOUTH IN SPORTS 18

https://scholarship.law.umn.edu/ , Law and Inequality: A Journal As Who They Really Are: Expanding They Really Are: Expanding As Who These policies, coupled with 7 Whether transgender athletes are allowed or to compete in a sport Whether Youth and Scholastic Sports Youth of Theory and Practice 34:2 lawineq/vol34/iss2/2/?utm_source=scholarship.law.umn. edu%2Flawineq%2Fvol34%2Fiss2%2F2&utm_medium=PDF&utm_ campaign=PDFCoverPages 7 is consistent with their gender identity varies is play on a team that widely across states, school boards, and sporting associations. Erin E. Buzuvis, (2016). in to Participate Athletes Opportunities for Transgender hostile practices compounded and by a lack of awareness and understanding among coaches teammates, and keep youth gender expansive transgender and in sport.from fully participating teams that are inconsistent with their inconsistent are teams that becausegender identity of exclusive, arbitrarily enforcedinconsistent and policies. Too many are forced on to play Too BOXED OUT Play to win: IMPROVING THE LIVES OF LGBTQ YOUTH IN SPORTS 19 ” OUT TO THEM. TO OUT IN ADDITION, MY PARENTS MY PARENTS ADDITION, IN TEAM TEAM. BOYS THE OR PLACED INTO A BOYS TEAMPLACED A BOYS INTO WOULD FIND OUT IF I WERE IF OUT FIND WOULD AND I’D BE FORCED TO COME COME TO FORCED BE AND I’D BE PLACED GIRLS THE — BE INTO I DON’T KNOW WHICH TEAM KNOW WHICH I DON’T I’D “ Play to win: BOXED OUT IMPROVING THE LIVES OF LGBTQ YOUTH IN SPORTS 20 national sample national of all youth % https://www.hrc.org/resources/glossary-of-terms 68 8 cisgender LGBQ girls cisgender LGBQ boys % % genderqueer youth non-binary youth 29 25 transgender boys % % transgender girls 19 19 % % orientation. lesbian, Therefore, transgender people may identify as straight, bisexual, gay, etc. 14 12

Cisgender: A term used to describe a person whose gender identity aligns with those typically associated with the sex assigned to them at birth. Transgender: An umbrella term for Cisgender: A term used to describe assigned birth. a person whose gender identity aligns with those typically associated with the sex to them at Transgender: 8 people based they were assigned gender identity and/or expression whose birth. is different from cultural expectations on the sex at Being transgender does not imply any specific sexual

by gender Identity Sport participation BOXED OUT Play to win: IMPROVING THE LIVES OF LGBTQ YOUTH IN SPORTS 21 ” % currently play a sport used play a sport, to but stopped played never have a sport 1 % % % OUT OF THESE OF OUT TRANS YOUTH NEVER TRANS YOUTH NEVER 16 32 52 5 OF USE THE SCHOOL LOCKER WITH ALIGNED ROOM GENDERTHEIR IDENTITY

% of non-binary youth of transgender boys of transgender girls

1 INCLUDING % % % LGBTQ YOUTH LGBTQ 31 41 34 1 REPORT THAT THEYREPORT THAT NEVER FEEL SAFE IN THE LOCKER ROOM OF

Practice and competition aren’t the only timesPractice and competition when young LGBTQ student-athletes are fearful of discrimination. don’t feel safe participating in sports safe participating don’t feel An alarming numberAn alarming LGBTQ of youth

I don’t feel safe in the locker room. the locker safe in feel I don’t “ Play to win: BOXED OUT IMPROVING THE LIVES OF LGBTQ YOUTH IN SPORTS 22 * AREN’T AREN’T . Survey materials asked participants about. Survey asked materials

OF AMERICAN SPECTATORS ATHLETES AND THAT BELIEVE

http://www.outonthefields.com/media/#United%20States %

experiences with “homophobia”, so answers may only be directly applicable to LGBQ discrimination. 8

Australian Sports Commission, Federation of Gay Games. Survey findings from: Dennison E,A. Kitchen the Fields: The First International (2015). Out on Study on Homophobia in Sport. Nielsen, Bingham Cup Sydney 2014, *

7 YOUTH TEAM SPORTS PEOPLE SAFE LGBQ FOR Play to win: BOXED OUT IMPROVING THE LIVES OF LGBTQ YOUTH IN SPORTS 23 ” MEI’D HOLD THE MY PARENTS TOLD TOLD MY PARENTS TEAM BACK BY NOT TEAM NOT BY BACK BEING [CISGENDER]. BEING “ THE IMPACT OF ATHLETICS ON LGBTQ YOUTH

Play to win: IMPROVING THE LIVES OF LGBTQ YOUTH IN SPORTS 24

When LGBTQ youth are given an opportunity to play, they thrive. LGBTQWhen to play, an opportunity youth are given These young athletes may also be better to manage difficulties able elsewhere in their lives than their non-athlete peers. on LGBTQ Youth on LGBTQ The Impact of Athletics of Athletics Impact The Play to win: THE IMPACT OF ATHLETICS ON LGBTQ YOUTH IMPROVING THE LIVES OF LGBTQ YOUTH IN SPORTS 25 ” % % % 27 25 WEEK. 35 I HARDLY EVERI HARDLY OVER THE LAST “ FELT WORTHLESSFELT ” % % % 21 20 WEEK. 29 I HARDLY EVERI HARDLY OVER THE LAST FELT DEPRESSEDFELT “ ” % % % 24 25 32 SAFE MY IN CLASSROOM. I ALWAYS FEEL I ALWAYS “ Positive effect of Sports effect of Positive

Used to play Never playedNever plays a sport Currently Although there is still much work to do to support LGBTQ youth, can play a significant sports participation role in helping LGBTQ young people build their self-confidence well-being. their overall and improve

on LGBTQ Youth LGBTQ on The Play to win: GAME ON! LEVELING THE PLAYING FIELD IMPROVING THE LIVES OF LGBTQ YOUTH IN SPORTS 26

playing field for LGBTQ youth in sport. and promote the ideals of fairnessand promote the ideals and equality the and level to make youth sports a safe, affirming and welcoming place a safe, affirming and youth sports to make for all athletes. LGBTQ By championing inclusion, we uphold All coaches, parents, the opportunity and officials have fans the playing field playing the Game On! Leveling Leveling On! Game GAME ON! LEVELING THE PLAYING FIELD

Play to win: IMPROVING THE LIVES OF LGBTQ YOUTH IN SPORTS 27 C.im/sports HR w. t visi To learn more ww

someone’s sexual orientation, gender identity, someone’s orientation, sexual gender identity, pronouns, or experiences.

e BE LGBTQ non-discrimination inclusion policies. an inclusive sure you have Make policies,statement, participation trans inclusive collection competent data policies, LGBTQ-inclusive and uniform policies, travel conduct. and a fan code of inclusion trainings for players, coaches, and parents. in sports,Like without practice and learning.it’s hard to improve allyship and respect on and off the field of play. allyship and respect the field of play. on and off team culture isn’t just formed practice. at Your ssum safe spaces for all athletes, coaches,all times and fans at — on the field, rooms,in the locker the stands, in and in the community. home, at inclusive behaviors inclusive by weaving respect, diversity, day one. and inclusion into your team’s culture on ze

players, coaches, teammates,for non-inclusive and fans accountable language or actions. team environment is everyone’s an inclusive responsibility. Creating L r A yourself with information and resourcesyourself with information about the laws and policies impact your LGBTQ that players, and their families. staff, TE mote

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C I Play to win: ABOUT THE STUDY IMPROVING THE LIVES OF LGBTQ YOUTH IN SPORTS 28 youth aged 13-17 participated in the survey, with with youth aged 13-17 participated survey, in the 9 Play to Win utilized all respondents answers from Play to Win who completed of the survey. 10% or more 9 representation from all 50 states of Columbia. and the District aboutMore information the survey process, materials, and respondent profiles can be the methodology in HRC’s found in Survey report, which can be found here. full Youth with researchers at the University of Connecticut a with researchers the University to deploy at surveycomprehensive the experiences capturing of LGBTQ youth in their family settings, schools, social circles, and communities. 17,000 Over About the Study About partnered Rights Campaign Foundation In 2017, the Human Play to win: ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS IMPROVING THE LIVES OF LGBTQ YOUTH IN SPORTS 29 Thanks to Kaitlyn Schmaltz, Ashley Taylor, and to Kaitlyn Schmaltz,Thanks Ashley Taylor, contributions and efforts Mazeitis for their Jake leading up to this report. Gabe to thanks Additional Murchison for his efforts and vision in designing and shaping this project. Thank you to Dialectic for their assistance of this report.throughout the creation Mark holds a degree in business from administration the UC of Business. Haas School Berkeley Special Thanks This project reflects efforts of the collaborative HRCvarious team members who continuously LGBTQwork to ensure that are youth nationwide protected and supported. of HRC’sThank you to Ellen Kahn for her leadership spaces inclusive programming and efforts to create for all children, youth, and families. Additional thank of Connecticut the University you to our partners at for their support and work on the survey and products.ongoing data Specialthank you to Chad Griffin, Mary Beth Maxwell, and Jay Brown for their continued leadership and support. Thank you to John Baez, Liz Halloran, Allison Turner, RobertsSarah McBride, Hayley Miller and Emily for and digital strategy efforts.their communications for Villaflor Thank you to Ashley Sudney and Bob and design efforts.their marketing governmentwide studies workforce on diversity and telework initiatives,& inclusion presenting at the leaders within major conferences agency for and U.S. of Personnel Management, Office Department of Labor and General Services Administration.

Senior Research Manager, Senior Research Manager, Senior Writer, Senior Writer, strategist and editor for a wide range of LGBTQ- focused public education campaigns and research studies within the HRC Foundation, including surveys, polls, op-eds, blogs, reports, guides and other resources. Prior to joining HRC, Mark was the Manager of Research & Strategic Insights Governmentat Executive Media Group, leading and implementation studieda team that policy management.federal agency He has authored the Board of Directors Foundation. of the Point Liam Miranda, & ResearchPublic Education Liam Miranda conducts, synthesizes and collaborates on research analysis that and data the HRChelps shape and strengthen Foundation’s work.public education and programmatic Liam has research on worked and campaigns initiatives of intersecting issue areas: including within a variety racial justice, trans inclusion, sports equality, formation,attitude moral decision-making, youth well-being, workplace inclusion, and more. He analysis and/or is also involvedprincipal data in of current projectscollection — ranging for a variety from assessing LGBTQ health campaigns public and equityto increasing diversity in nonprofit leadership. Liam is a former student-athlete and holds a degree with distinction in psychology with minors in both neuroscience and philosophy from University. Duke Mark Lee, & ResearchPublic Education content Mark Lee serves as project manager, University of Georgia University of Law as a National School Anne Shepherd Equal and a Bill and Point Scholar was named In 2016, she one of as Rights Scholar. the best LGBTQ lawyers under 40 by the National LGBT Bar Association. serves Ashland currently on

Dr. Rebecca Puhl Dr. ,

basketball. She graduated with a J.D. from the justice, trans inclusion, justice and reproductive of Furman racial justice. Ashland is a graduate where she was a memberUniversity of the women’s public education with an emphasis on engaging underserved communities. issue areas key Several economic sports equality, include health equity, advocate. She currently leads the Human Rights advocate. Campaign’s public education, research and sports inclusion efforts.she advocate, As a civil rights and policy focuses on the intersection of law, Director, Public Education & Research Public Education Director, a sports Ashland is a former Division I athlete, equality and seasoned advocate, LGBTQ rights Bios Ashland Johnson, Esq., Research Team Leaders: Liam Miranda, Research Team Watson Ryan Dr. Report Authors: Ashland Johnson, Liam Miranda, Mark Lee with academic researchers provides and guidance to other HRC in support of efforts to initiatives LGBTQadvance equality and well-being team conducts original quantitative and qualitative qualitative and quantitative team conducts original research the lived experiences of exploring LGBTQ people. The program also collaborates resources and programs are timely, impactful,resources and programs are timely, resource In addition to publishing and inclusive. guides, materials, informational and reports, the The HRC & Education Public Foundation’s Research a wide variety Program spearheads of LGBTQ campaigns, and outreach advocacy the HRCthat working to ensure Foundation’s Human Rights Campaign Foundation Foundation Rights Campaign Human Research & Public Education Acknowledgements