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Amy Sandler, Ph.D. Department of Women’s Studies University of Nevada, Las Vegas

MANifestations: Conceptualizing Homophobia in Men’s Sport. Amy Sandler, Ph.D. Department of Women’s Studies University of Nevada, Las Vegas AAHPERD Convention April 2, 2009. Heteronormativity in Collegiate Sport. Athletics = an island of homophobia and bigotry

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Amy Sandler, Ph.D. Department of Women’s Studies University of Nevada, Las Vegas

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  1. MANifestations: Conceptualizing Homophobia in Men’s Sport Amy Sandler, Ph.D. Department of Women’s Studies University of Nevada, Las Vegas AAHPERD Convention April 2, 2009

  2. Heteronormativity in Collegiate Sport • Athletics = an island of homophobia and bigotry • Athletic departments to be the most homophobic environment on the college campus. • Athletes and coaches are tremendously homophobic and heterosexist. (e.g., Griffin, 2007; Jacobson, 2002; Rotella and Murray,1991; Wolf-Wendel, Toma, & Morphew, 2001)

  3. Different Coping Mechanisms for Male and Female Athletes Six Manifestations of Homophobia Women’s Sport • Silence • Denial • Apology • Promotion of a Heterosexy Image • Attacks on Lesbians in Sport • Preference for Male Coaches Pat Griffin, 1992

  4. Homophobia in Men’s Sport • Two realms where it is acceptable for men to be affectionate with one another (Pharr, 1988) • Heterosexuality and orthodox masculinity are expected (Pronger, 1990) • Men MUST articulate their gender in a way that demonstrates homosexuals as an object of disgrace (Kimmel)

  5. My Study: Student Athletes Attitudes Toward Homosexuals • Administered “Index of Attitudes Toward Homosexuals” • Two - Division I teams, same sport • Women (n = 16), Men (n = 18) • 27 of 34 respondents identify as white • Neither coach interested in results • Men’s coach said that he thinks their sport is probably one of the most liberal

  6. low grade homophobic low grade non-homophobic Hudson & Ricketts, 1990

  7. Statement: I would feel comfortable if I learned that my best friend of my sex was homosexual 29.4% - uncomfortable 70.6 % - comfortable

  8. Statement: I would feel comfortable knowing I was attractive to members of the same sex 0 = Strongly Agree 3 = Neither Agree nor Disagree 5 = Strongly Disagree

  9. Statement: I would feel comfortable if I found myself attracted to someone of the same sex 8.8 % comfortable 88.2 % - uncomfortable 0 = Strongly Agree 3 = Neither Agree nor Disagree 5 = Strongly Disagree

  10. Comparing homophobia in male and female student-athletes

  11. MANifestations of Homophobiain Men’s Sport • Mocking femininity • Threatening violenceagainst gay men • The expression of personal discomfort around gay men. • Anti-gay Insults • Objectification of Women/Promotion of a Heterosexual Relationship

  12. Mocking FemininityManifestations of Homophobia in Men’s Sport • “He’s soft, real soft, and some of you guys know what I’m talking about. He gets hit, he folds up like a bitch…” (cited in Anderson, 2005, p.146). • “You try to sell your team on being a rough, tough, hard-nosed football team…I would assume if that person was of that persuasion, I am not sure of the quality of his toughness” (Anderson, 2005, p. 138).

  13. Esera Tualo

  14. Mocking FemininityManifestations of Homophobia in Men’s Sport

  15. Threatening Violence Against Gay MenManifestations of Homophobia in Men’s Sport • If I found out someone is gay in here, I’d run (him) out. It would be uncomfortable for me and for him in the shower. It would be ugly” • “ I think it would be tough for a lot of athletes that I play with to think that, ‘Wow, I am showering, I am performing on the field, I am bleeding, I am fighting with a person that is a homosexual…I know there would be people definitely taking shots at him…” (Anderson, 2005, p.138). ?

  16. Expressions of Personal DiscomfortManifestations of Homophobia in Men’s Sport • Aww, Hell no! I don’t want any faggots on my team…that’s a punk. I don’t want any faggots in this locker room,” (Garrison Hearst, in Kaufman, 2003). • “…it would be uncomfortable for me and him in the shower…” (Anonymous SF Giants Player, Anderson, 2005, p.138). • “If I knew there was a gay guy on my college football team, I probably wouldn’t…stand for it…they’re gonna be in the shower with us and stuff, so I don’t think that’s gonna work”(Jeremy Shockey on the Howard Stern Show, 2002)

  17. Anti-Gay InsultsManifestations of Homophobia in Men’s Sport • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vk7vFswrZbE

  18. The Top 10 Hottest Hockey Wives & Girlfriends Objectification of Women/Promotion of Heterosexual relationship At Oregon State University: • I hung a picture of a girl from home in my room and told people she was my girlfriend. That was my excuse for not dating women, but it wore out. I had to hang out with women and do one-night stands. … On Green Bay Packers: • I made sure people saw me kiss women… Objectification of Women (Any) Hetero-Image (for gay athletes)

  19. Summary • Silence • Denial • Apology • Promotion of a Heterosexy Image • Attacks on Lesbians in Sport • Preference for Male Coaches • Mocking femininity • Threatening violence against gay men • The expression of personal discomfort around gay men. • Anti-gay Insults • Objectification of Women/Promotion of a Heterosexual Relationship Manifestations in Women’s Sport (Griffin, 1992) Manifestations in Men’s Sport (Sandler, 2009)

  20. THANK YOU

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