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Homophobia tackled by Sport Wales and Stonewall Cymru | Homophobia tackled by Sport Wales and Stonewall Cymru |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Rugby referee Nigel Owens is backing a campaign to tackle homophobic attitudes in sport. | Rugby referee Nigel Owens is backing a campaign to tackle homophobic attitudes in sport. |
Sports bodies such as the Football Association of Wales (FAW) are setting up a new group against discrimination. | Sports bodies such as the Football Association of Wales (FAW) are setting up a new group against discrimination. |
It comes after results in a new survey show 75% of people have heard "homophobic banter" in sport. | It comes after results in a new survey show 75% of people have heard "homophobic banter" in sport. |
And 25% of lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) people who took part in the sports study said they had felt isolated due to their sexuality. | And 25% of lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) people who took part in the sports study said they had felt isolated due to their sexuality. |
Owens, from Carmarthen, who is the first openly gay man to referee at international level, says sexual stereotyping is a "deep rooted" problem. | Owens, from Carmarthen, who is the first openly gay man to referee at international level, says sexual stereotyping is a "deep rooted" problem. |
"People at home see these stereotyped characters of gay people that are camp and very funny and assume that's what every gay person is like," he said. | "People at home see these stereotyped characters of gay people that are camp and very funny and assume that's what every gay person is like," he said. |
"It doesn't occur to them that somebody exactly the same as them would be gay. | "It doesn't occur to them that somebody exactly the same as them would be gay. |
"By sports visibly committing to tackling homophobia it can only reassure people that they will be welcomed and accepted - no matter what." | "By sports visibly committing to tackling homophobia it can only reassure people that they will be welcomed and accepted - no matter what." |
'Double exclusion' | 'Double exclusion' |
He made his comments in support of the href="http://www.sportwales.org.uk/news--events/news--events/our-news/latest-news/drive-to-tackle-homophobia-in-sport.aspx" >campaign by Sport Wales and equality charity Stonewall Cymru with backing from the FAW to form a network to champion LGB issues and drive up participation in sport. | |
It has been set up on the back of findings into LGB people's participation in sports in Wales which showed that while 94% of 242 respondents took part in some kind of sport in the last 12 months, many encountered problems. | It has been set up on the back of findings into LGB people's participation in sports in Wales which showed that while 94% of 242 respondents took part in some kind of sport in the last 12 months, many encountered problems. |
The survey found gay men more likely than other respondents to say that sport was not a safe environment for LGB individuals, identifying an issue of "double exclusion" from mainstream sports clubs because of sexual orientation and perceived ability. | The survey found gay men more likely than other respondents to say that sport was not a safe environment for LGB individuals, identifying an issue of "double exclusion" from mainstream sports clubs because of sexual orientation and perceived ability. |
href="http://sport-wales.blogspot.co.uk/" >Writing on the Sports Wales blog, Owens says that "acceptance is the key word for me". | |
'Commitment' | 'Commitment' |
He said he and former rugby player Gareth Thomas, who also publicly announced he was gay, were "living proof" that sexual stereotypes "aren't always a true reflection". | He said he and former rugby player Gareth Thomas, who also publicly announced he was gay, were "living proof" that sexual stereotypes "aren't always a true reflection". |
Andrew White, director of Stonewall Cymru, said the research shows that for many of Wales' 184,000 lesbian, gay and bisexual people, their experience of sport is not always a positive one. | Andrew White, director of Stonewall Cymru, said the research shows that for many of Wales' 184,000 lesbian, gay and bisexual people, their experience of sport is not always a positive one. |
"Those involved in the running of sport must do more to show their commitment to tackling homophobia and encouraging gay people to take part in sport," he said. | "Those involved in the running of sport must do more to show their commitment to tackling homophobia and encouraging gay people to take part in sport," he said. |
Prof Laura McAllister, chair of Sport Wales which promotes sport nationally, said: "From schools through to community and professional sport, participants, coaches and spectators, the sector needs to take stock and look at what more can be done to ensure there is a warm welcome for all." | Prof Laura McAllister, chair of Sport Wales which promotes sport nationally, said: "From schools through to community and professional sport, participants, coaches and spectators, the sector needs to take stock and look at what more can be done to ensure there is a warm welcome for all." |
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