The Sexual Politics of Women in Sport A Survey on "Lesbophobia"

(Lenskyj, 1986). However, sexuality With the increasing popularity of issues in sport have had a very short sexological discourse in the 1930s, I1 ex* pcu a5 documentation sur ka history in feminist scholarship. Helen athletic women became highly sus- sditidam ks sports et sur La dis- Lenskyj argues that pect of their sexual preference despite crimination auquelk font face ks their conscious efforts to project an athbtrs ksbiennes. La ksbophobic ...although the issues of femi- attractive image of femininity. Ath- continucra dB&- ninity and heterosexuality have letic women were labelled as man- tcr hns &S sports long been central to women's nish, failed heterosexuals whose gen- The early medical mat et auilong- sporting participation, it has been der nonconformity was manifested communities temps que les in recent years that they've been by tomboyish behaviour (Lenskyj fmmcs nc firont discussed in explicit terms. 1986; Cahn 1993; 1994). This link warned against the par un effort- con- (1986: 105) between mannish athleticism with scient pour tentcr #CmasMCliniZi72g efects * lesbianism is further explored by a2 l 'cnraym Indeed, only a small proportion of Palzkill who asserts that a woman of athleticism. theoretical feminist analyses concern- who is active in this male domain of From the late ing lesbians in sport exist. Specifi- sport, pays a very special price: nineteenth century to the present, cally, theories around sexuality in re- sexual discrimination in women's lation to women in sport remain a ...the price of the denial of her sport has been an issue of primary neglected area ofstudy in the lesbian- own sex, and her personal defi- concern in a seemingly endless battle feminist literature. Unless the exist- nition as a neutral being. Her of the sexes. The devaluation and ence ofa lesbian identity and subcul- behaviour and whole person is stigmatization that female athletes ture in women's sport is included in described as masculine, and her face has its roots in the early medical all sport studies, women's struggle for sexuality as a woman is denied. communities which warned against gender equality and acceptance in (225) the "mas~ulinizin~effects" ofathleti- sport will continue to be trivialized. cism. Fearing that women would Since the 1950s until the present, adopt masculine mannerisms, deeper "The lesbian threat" this stereotype has pressured women voices, and overdeveloped bodies, athletes to demonstrate overt signs of scientific experts, by way of medical According to Helen Lenskyj femininity and heterosexuality. As studies, were determined to prove (1986), sporting abilitywas not com- same-sex activities among women be- that women's participation in sport patiblewith women's traditional sub- came publicly scrutinized in fear of also impaired their reproductive ca- ordinate role in a patriarchal society "the lesbian threat," women athletes pacity and jeopardized their sexual where sport functioned as an all- were discouraged from participating identity (lenskyj 1986; Cahn 1993; male domain. As Susan Cahn de- in team sports, and instead were en- 1994; Griffin 1992). Thus, talented scribes it, "the maleness of sport de- couraged to engage in individual ac- sporting females were characterized rived from a gender ideology which tivities such as tennis, golf, archery, as "muscular amazonsnby the media, labelledaggression, competitive spirit, bowling, and horseback riding (Cahn, calling into question their femininity and athletic skill as masculine at- 1994b). Women's athletic organiza- aswell as their sexual preference (Cahn tributes necessary for achieving true tions emphasized sexy and feminine 1994). Moreover, critics of women's manliness" (1993: 344). During the dress codes for all women competi- sport claimed that female athletic early 1900s there was much public tors, and placed restrictions on their competence was unfeminine and debate about whether women's ath- clothing, hairstyles, and behaviour. unattractive to men: "The amazo- leticism would masculinize women, For example, in an attempt to secure nian athlete might be not only unat- orconversely,whether women would the heterosexual image, boyish hair- tractive but unattracted to men-she "feminizen sport. In an emerging cuts were forbidden and women ath- might prefer womenn (Cahn sexualized economy that emphasized letes were encouraged to introduce 1994:165). femininity and heterosexual ideals, their boyfriends to the public. Women have been successfully the most acceptable women athletes Organized sport is still today viewed challenging sexism and heterosexism were those with beauty and sex appeal as a male controlled structure which in spon since the 1970s' when les- which compensated for their athletic serves as a cultural arena of ideologi- bianlga~rights gained much support ability (Cahn 1994a; b). cal battles over patriarchal gender re-

VOLUME l S, NUMBER 4 liltions (Mtssner). When women are As a result, most lesbian athletes in- existence offers a chance to overcome represented, they are often depicted ternalize the negative societal stere- being torn between the sportsperson assexobjeas, as in the c.ofKatarina otype placed on them and accept the and thewoman" (229). Thus, inspite Witt's alluring figure skating per- negative connotations of lesbianism ofthe lesbian stigma that beset wom- formance in the 1988 Olympics. (Blinde and Taub 1992; Blinde and en's athletics, lesbians find that sport However, women's participation in Taub 199213; Griffin 1993). Cobhan can become asocial arena forwoman- sport over the past decade has chal- claims that unless women athletes to-woman bonding; to explore their lenged the ideological bases of male overcome this internalized sexual identities; and for camaraderie domination. By demonstrating their homophobia, "any lesbian who comes (Lenskyj 1986; Nelson; Cahn, 1994). athletic competence, athletes such as out will do so alone at a great personal In fact, women's individual and team hockey player Justine Blainey and cost" (182).Asproclaimed by Martina sport provides not only protection rowuSilkcn Laurnann have contested Navratilova, "1 know why sometimes and security, it is a space for lesbians the long associated I get boos on the tennis court from to gather and build a shared culture. athletic qualities of some people. They're booing my life- B' wing the lesbian aggression, com- style, rather than me as a human Lesbians could not publidyclaim their identity without risking label $0 women ~et'f'""'"fi~d being" (qtd. in Nelson 149). strength with mas- Roberta Bennet has stated that it is expulsion.. .and loss of social in po~,women 3 culinity. These two this silence, "a silence so loud it networks that had become CN- screams" about homophobia and les- cial to their sense ofwell-being. 1 proven that men bians in sport that allows discrimina- But expressed through a walk, a is controlled. and women can tion and fear to thrive (qtd. in Nelson tone of voice, or a manner of compete equally in 139). Lesbian athletes either conceal, dress, the gay culture of sport traditionally male-dominated arenas segregate, or "normalizen their sexu- was available to women attuned such as hockey and rowing. In fact, ality in order to protect their sporting to its' physical and emotional Nelson argues that despite women's careers (Blinde andTaub 1992). The cues. (Cahn 1994:205). inaccessibility to early sports training rule in women's golf and tennis, as in and college scholarships, women are other sports, is to "play it but don't Although "athletics provided a point gaining on men. "It's as if Woman say it" (Cahn 1994: 187). Two of the ofentry into lesbian culture for young and Man are running a race; he has a most influential women in modern women'coming out' from their closet head start, but over the years her tennis who defied the heterosexual and searching for companionship," it speed increases and his stays rela- imperative in women's sport are does not mean that their sports par- tively contant" (54). For example, in Martina Navratilova and Billie Jean ticipation caused them to become 1989, Ann Trason was the first King. Havingpublicly acknowledged lesbians (Cahn 1994: 190). Rather, woman to win an open national cham- that they are lesbians, the cost oftheir Nelson argues that a sporting experi- pionship, with a national record-set- disclosure was high. Both of these ence gives women courage, strength, ting distance of 193 miles (Nelson). professional athletes have lost much and independence to respond to their As Mcssner has noted, it represents a support from their sponsors and the feelings, whether sexual or intellec- quest by women for equality, control media (Nelson; Cahn 1994a). tual, toward other women. of their own bodies, and for sclf- In reaction to the prejudice and definition. isolation experienced by lesbian ath- Gender inequity in sports letes, Kidd describes the formation of Ideology in action sports clubs and associations for les- In a world of sport where men bians across Canada which are not control the majority of the paid jobs The lesbian stereotype attached to lesbian-only, but where, for the in coaching, sport administration, and women athletes affects the behaviour women involved, sexual preference is ~h~sicaleducation, women have yet of all sportswomen. In their fear of not a decisive factor. She also advo- to achieve equitable status. They are discrimination and harassment, het- cates that the targets of sexual and verbal har- erosexual sportswomen oblige them- assment, and occupy few positions of selves to prove their femininity, and .. .by making the lesbian exist- power (Lenskyj 1990; 1991; Griffin thus their sexuality, while lesbians are ence in sport visible, the division 1993). As "masculinity and feminin- silent about their sexuality and feel among women may be further ity are not valued equally, nor are driven topass as straight. By using the prevented and the fight lesbian heterosexuality and lesbianismlho- lesbian label to intimidate, divide, and heterosexual women make mosexuality" (Lenskyj 1990: 240). andsilence women in sport, women's against compulsory heterosexu- This confirms the assumption that sport as an institution is controlled alitywill be acknowledged." (65) gender inequitywill never be achieved (Lenskyj 1987; Blinde and Taub if lesbian athletes become public 1991; Griffin 1992; Griffin 1993). As Palzkitl maintains, "a lesbian (Coakley). For example, Kidd writes

CANADIAN WOMAK I STUDIES/LES CAHIERS DE LA FEMME about the loss of opportunities cxpe- these activities and exhibit integral that until 1982 there were no at- rienccd by lesbian sportswomen in personality characteristics (Griffin, tempts to investigate homophobia in Canada, whereas Lenskyj argues that 1993). physical education. "Given the lim- lesbian sportswomen, coaches, and ited research, little is known about administrators are not selected for Addressing homophobia and how the lives and sport experiences teams or jobs or are fired because of lesbianism in sport are affected by the accusations and their sexual orientation (qtd. in innuendoes of lesbianism* (qtd. in Hargruves). In 1982, the case of The isolated experiences of lesbian Blinde and Taub 1992b: 152). Fur- Betty Bwter, a fired head coach of athletes fighting alone against com- thermore, Nelson alleges that in the the Canadian women's volleyball pulsory heterosexuality should ac- mid-1980's, womenwho had reached team, illustrates this point. The Ca- count for an important yet neglected college had no information or ac- +Volleyball Association did not chapter in the history of women's knowledgement of the presence of mention her les- sport (Cahn, 1994). According to lesbian coaches or athletes in physical bian lifestyle in Kidd, "very little writing about sport education programs. Thus the ne- Lesbian athletes either the official ver- addresses sexuality, while much of glect of the lesbian topic in women's concead segregdte, or sion of her dis- mainstream feminist writing has lit- sport has perpetuated homophobia" missal, but as tle to say about sportn (62). Lenskyj (qtd. in BlindeandTaub 1992b: 152). ?ZOTYZUZ~~"their Betty Baxter con- (1990; 199 1) claims that academic I share the perspective taken by semcalitv in order to tests, "qualifica- and sport circles have only recently Lenskyj, Griffin, and othersportfemi- .' tions had nothing given attention to lesbians in sport. nists that the lesbian identity in sport protect their careers. to do with itn Magazines such as MSor Women i is a subject that remains to be more (Ormsby B2). In Spom rarely address the issue oflesbi- fully explored. Very few works exist her continuing battle against sexual anism, "except to acknowledge that in anthologies of feminism concern- discrimination in Canadian sport, dyke-baiting exists" (Cobhan 18I). ing this issue, and no essays or entries Betty Bwter establishedthe National One such example is documented in were found in the Lesbian Periodicals Coaching School for Women, and a recent issue of Sporfi Illustrated. Index. Furthermore, the theme of worked on the staging and prepara- During a radio interview in New visible minority lesbian athletes who tion for the 1990 Gay Games in York, Ila Borders, the first woman to face additional forms of discrimina- Vancouver (Ormsby). pitch for the Division 1A Southern tion has yet to be confronted, by The existing barriers used against California Men's College Baseball either the feminist or lesbian com- women's participation in sport have team, was asked "Areyou a lesbian?' munities. been taken up by both the liberal and (Smith). Therefore, I presume that as we radical streams ofthe feminist move- The most powerful statement re- move into the twenty-first century, ments (Lenskyj 1991). Whereas lib- garding the lack of research on lesbi- the "L-word" will continually eral feminists have generally looked ans in sport is from Cohban who disempower women athletes until the traditionally to legislation as a route declares that lesbian-feminists them- issues of lesbianism in women's sport to sex equality, radical feminist per- selves have not made any attempt to are redefined (Blinde and Taub spectives on women and sport have address the theme of lesbian athletes. explored the specific ways in which From her experience in a physical the institution of compulsory het- education department, the reason for The 'X-word" will erosexuality have affected women's this non-support from lesbian-femi- con tin ualb disempo wer lives (Lenskyj 1990). nists is this: "until those athleres are Lenskyj suggests that only by com- willing to corneout publicly,we don't women athletes until bining these two perspectives can the owe them anythingw (181). Con- issues of lesbianism existence oflesbians in sport give rise versely, lesbian athletes expect les- to celebration (1990: 302). Best ex- bian-feminists to fight their battles are redejned. emplified by the International Gay for them (Cobham). These attitudes Games, lesbian and gay athletes were only serve to further divide, rather 1992b). By breaking the silence given a chance to celebrate athleti- than solidify, the relations among all against the social taboo of lesbianism cism in coexistence with their sexual women in sport, and as a result in sport, we can envision a world of identity (Griffin, 1993; Nelson). The strengthens the silence surrounding sport where heterosexuality is not the International Gay Games also gives lesbianism. only form of sexuality. If women are lesbian and gay athletes the opportu- Criticisms by Lenskyj, Nelson, and afraid of being called lesbian, this nity to control their own sports are- Cobhan, with respect to the lack of label will only be used as a powerful nas where lesbianism is positively research on homophobia and lesbi- political weapon to control and in- accepted. But most importantly, it ans in sport, do not stand atone. Sport timidate all women in sport (Griffin enables women athletes to pursue feminist Pat Griffin (1993) argues 1992). Thus, lesbian athletes must

VOLUME 15, NUMBER 4 strengthen their challenge against sex- Sport." Feminist Studies 19(2) Athlete as a Contested Ideological ism, heterosexism, homophobia, and (1993):343-364. Terrain." Women, Sport, and Cul- the way in which they define sexual- Cahn, Susan K. Coming On Strong: ture. Susan Birrell and Cheryl L. ity. This requires not only for lesbian Gena'er and Semrality in 20th Cen- Cole, eds. Windsor: Human Ki- athletes to aimtheir existence with tuy. New York: The Free Press, netics, 1994. pride, but for society to begin 1994. Nelson, Mariah B. Are We Winning reconceptualizing the traditionally Cahn, Susan K. "Crushes, Competi- Yet? How Women Are Changing accepted notions of gender and sexu- tion, and Closets: The Emergence Sports and Sports Are Changing ality. of Homophobia in Women's Women. New York: Random As Cahn concludes, Physical Education." Women, House, 1991. Sport, and Culture. Susan Birrell Ormsby, Mary. "FiredNationalVol- Thedemand for opportunity and and Cheryl Cole, eds. Windsor: leyball Coach Fighting Back" To- quality in the athletic world Human Kinetics, 1994b. ronto Star 22 Aug. 1992: B3. involves more than asking men Coadey, Jay J. Sport in Society. St. Palzkill, Birgit. "Between Gymshoes to move over and make room for Louis, Missouri: Mosby-Year Book and High Heels: The Develop- female competitors. Women's Inc., 1974. ment of a Lesbian Identity and athletic freedom requires that Cobhan, Linn. "Lesbians in Physical Existence in Top Class Sport." In- attributes long defined as mas- Education and Sport." Lesbian ternational Review ofthe Sociology culinostrength and physical Studies. Margaret Cruikshank, ed. ofSpon 25(3) (1990): 223-23 1. dominance-become human New York: The Feminist Press, Smith, Shelley. "Sports People: Iia qualities and not those of a par- 1982. Borders." Spom lflushated7 March ticular gender (1994:279). Griffin, Pat. "Changing the Game: 1994: 6748. Homophobia, Sexism, and Lesbi- It is essential to note that this article ans in Sport." Quest 44 (1992): does not account for the hidden expe- 251-265. riences of all lesbians in sport. Addi- Griffin, Pat. "Homophobia in Wom- tional effort must be made by research- en's Sports: The Fear That Divides us from the lesbian, feminist, and Us." Women In Sport: Issues and sociology of sport circles to examine Controversies. Greta L. Cohen, ed. MARIE-CLAUDE JULIEN further the issues concerning lesbian- Newbury Park: Sage Publications, ism in sport. It will offer women ath- 1993. Denuement letes a chance to tell their story and Hargreaves, Jennifer. "Sporting Fe- make their existence visible. males." Critical Issues in the History and Sociology of Women i Sports. Iwoukd like to sincere4 thank ffitherine New York: Routledge, 1994. Le vent dans les feuilles Side fir her time andpatience in revis- Kidd, Dorothy. "Getting Physical: Souffle la mort qui s'en vient ing several drafi of this paper. Compulsory Heterosexuality and Je voudrais recoller toutes Sport." Canadian Woman Studies Les feuilles aux arbres Sylvia Klaovec is in her thirdyear at 4(3) (1983): 62-65. Quand le vent persant York University. She currently pur- Lenskyj, Helen. Out of Bounds: Sifflera h mes oreilles suing an Honours degree in Sociology. Women, Sport and Sexuality. To- A travers les branches nues ronto: The Women's Press, 1986. References Lenskyj, Helen. "Female Sexuality Quand l'hiver cruel et fou and Women's Sport." Women i Frappera h la fenetre Blinde, Elaine M. and Dime E. Taub. Studies International Forum lO(4) Je voudrais les recoller toutes - 1992. "Women Athletes as Falsely (1987): 381-386. Les feuilles aux arbres Accused Deviants: Managing the Lenskyj, Helen. "Power and Play: Quand h travers les branches Lesbian Stigma." The Sociological Gender and Sexuality Issues in Surgira un ciel pale, effraye Qwrterh33(4) (1 992): 52 1-533. Sport and Physical Activity." In- Plaquant comme un froid Blinde, Elaine M. and DianeE. Taub. ternational Review for the Sociology dans le dos 'Sport: The Disempowerment of ofsport 25 (3)(1990): 235-245. Athletes." Sociological Fonu 25(2) LensGj, Helen. "Combating Homo- Marie-Claudelulien est historienne, (1992b): 151-165. phobia in Sport and Physical Edu- voyageuse, voyeuse, curieuse des Cahn, Susan K.. "From the Muscle of journal g,,,. Elle visitk plus jeu rs @ques Moll to the 'Butch' Ballplayer: 8(1) (1991): 61-69. et quelques pays. Elle rhe d'un Mannishness, Lesbianism, and Messner, Michael, A. "Sports and monde exempt de frontihes et de Homophobia in U.S. Women's Male Domination: The Female I prkjugks.

CANADIAN WOMAN STUDIESILES CAHIERS DE LA FEMME