蓝莓视频

Involvement in lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT) sport groups makes gay and lesbian athletes feel better about their sexual identity and helps them come out in their everyday lives, according to research from the University of 蓝莓视频.

鈥淐ontrary to what some people are saying during the Olympic Games in Russia, sexuality is part of sport because it鈥檚 part of life,鈥� says , assistant professor in 蓝莓视频鈥檚 Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies.

鈥淢y research shows that sport is very important for people - socially and emotionally - and it really gives them an important forum to express their identity and get support,鈥� he said.

Sports heal effects of discrimination

Mock鈥檚 research team surveyed adults before and after they had participated in sports leagues organized for the LGBT community. The research, conducted through the Sexual Minority Sport Group Project, shows that LGBT sport group participation helps people feel better about themselves as gays and lesbians and affirms their sexual identity.

鈥淭he research shows that LGBT-focused sports involvement is especially helpful for people who have had very negative experiences related to homophobia, harassment and discrimination,鈥� adds Mock. 鈥淚t helps them come to terms with their identity and increases the likelihood of them disclosing their sexual minority identity in their everyday life.鈥�

Organizations that serve LGBT amateur athletes have been around for decades. While they are open to heterosexual individuals, their mandate is to support the LGBT community. Most of the respondents from Mock鈥檚 research were involved in , although there are leagues in smaller communities.

Is a kiss just a kiss?

Mock says sexual orientation is part of sport and is embedded in the Olympic experience. A good example, he points out, is the moment when Canadian speed skater Charles Hamelin rushed to , speed skater Marianne St-Gelais, after winning the gold medal in Sochi.

鈥淲hat would have happened if that was a same-sex kiss?鈥� asks Mock. 鈥淪exual orientation is part of sports. The Olympics is the pinnacle of athletic achievement. It鈥檚 ridiculous to cancel out part of a person鈥檚 identity.鈥�

Mock has presented his findings at national and international conferences. The research is supported by a grant from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC.)