The latest round up of LGB Sports stuff is here, as supplied by VAGA Associates
Former England wing Ben Cohen has retired after being released by Sale. As England’s world cup-winning winger, rugby union star Ben Cohen has faced down his fair share of immovable obstacles. Now, after hanging up his boots for the last time, the 32-year-old is taking on one of sport’s most formidable opponent: homophobia. This week Cohen, who won 57 caps and scored 31 tries for his country, sets out on a tour of the US on behalf of a new foundation set up in his name, devoted to fighting homophobia in sport.
Although not gay himself, Cohen has become a gay icon in recent years and has decided to use his high profile to support gay and lesbian sportspeople struggling to come to terms with their sexuality in an unforgiving environment. Rights campaigners have hailed rugby’s leading role in promoting diversity: “Rugby has been leading the way on diversity,” said Ruth Hunt, director of public affairs for gay, lesbian and bisexual rights charity Stonewall. “When heterosexual people take leadership roles it has an impact on the perceptions of younger, straight players which has a big impact on the culture of a sport.”
Ben Cohen’s Acceptance Tour, which began in the UK, last month, will visit six American cities.
It is not the intention of these newsletters to feature every sportsperson who chooses to “come out”, but the example below may be of interest and inspiring.
“I feel like I’ve got to the middle of my onion now,” says Graeme Obree with evident relief. The 45-year-old Scot is referring to the long process of “peeling away my layers” to arrive, eventually, at the essence of who he is – which, as he realised five years ago and has now announced publicly, is gay. The retired cyclist, acclaimed as a maverick genius on his way to world hour records and world pursuit titles, has always been a complex, tortured soul, with a history of mental illness and two suicide attempts. But Obree acknowledges that Gareth Thomas’s decision to reveal his sexuality in late 2009 gave him the reassurance he needed.
Obree admitted to “trepidation and fear” on the eve of his announcement in a Scottish tabloid. By Monday lunchtime, when he emerged from under his duvet and turned on his phone, he was overwhelmed by the messages of support, including one on Twitter from his old rival Chris Boardman. Describing Obree as “the man who revolutionised a sport twice, amazing”, Boardman said: “I hope to see you around this year. Good luck and best wishes.”
“All those fears for all those years,” says Obree, who found talking publicly about his mental illness difficult but a breeze compared to admitting his sexuality. That was partly down to his family – he was married and has sons aged 16 and 18, although it was they who persuaded him to go public – but more to his fear of others’ reactions. ”
Five years ago I told my psychiatrist that there was this awful thing, this thing that would mean she wouldn’t want to work with me again,” Obree says. “I was that disgusted by it. I couldn’t even use the G-word. That was five years ago; it’s taken that long in therapy for me to be OK with myself.” The “disgust”, says Obree, owed to “my homophobic upbringing. In the west of Scotland, you couldn’t contemplate it; you couldn’t allow it to enter your world.”
“I didn’t know I was gay,” he says. “From the age of 13 I didn’t develop, I just buried everything. My psychologist told me that I had an emotional age of 13 when I started seeing her in 1999. But it’s from the age of 13 that you discover who you are.” Instead of discovering who he was, Obree says he channeled everything into cycling; an obsession that in 1993 took him to Norway and an astonishing attempt at the fabled world hour record, held by the Italian legend Francesco Moser, which he claimed 24 hours after a first, failed bid. He went on to win two world pursuit titles and reclaim the hour record from Boardman, but throughout his racing career his life was all about the next achievement. “I would never sit down and watch a film because I couldn’t justify it. I couldn’t justify doing anything unless it was about self-improvement and proving my worth as a human being – which I did through cycling.”
Obree admits: “I did spend years resenting cycling. I resented it because of the doping but also the fame that came with it. I was subjugated by fear of myself, because I couldn’t dare be myself.” But now Obree says both the fear and resentment have gone: “Now I can appreciate what I did. Appreciate that I’ve done a great thing.”
A research report, “We’re not Homophobic”, written by Lindsay England, was released at the Commercial Workers Union (CWU) annual conference on 24 May. In contrast to academic research carried out over the last couple of years which asked questions to either specific persons, or, asked questions in order to gain specific types of answers, this research has been carried out by observing ‘homophobic content ‘ which was found on internet mediums and comes from football fans from a number of differing walks of life.
Over a period of 16 weeks in spring 2010, internet mediums for football fans were studied and it was found that just 400 links had over 8,000 threads containing homophobic wording. Of these, at least 1,500 contained homophobic abuse that could be considered anti-gay hate of a vile nature. Over 48% of the homophobia was what’s considered ‘general/casual, verbal abuse,’ that is of a ‘soft ‘nature. No less than 5% was aimed directly at football players by so called fans of the game.
Linda Roy, National Equality Officer, CWU, said: “It is very sad that even after 13 years since Justin Fashanu took his own life the world of Professional Football has failed to grasp the homophobia problem within football. The big institutions within football have a duty to change the landscape making it ‘safe’ for footballers, both men and women, to come out. At this moment in time, it is they who are letting the side down!”
Brendan Barber, General Secretary of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), commented: “This report confirms the terrifying reality of homophobia and transphobia in our national sport, and the urgent need for education and action to tackle it at all levels. The TUC believes that the football authorities and the clubs must grasp the need to carry out the anti-discrimination policies they already have on paper. Prejudice can only be defeated if it is effectively challenged.”
Alan Duffy, Director of Communications for The Justin Campaign, said: “The Justin Campaign is very concerned at the high frequency of homophobic remarks made by football fans on message boards. With the likes of Anton Hysen coming out and The FA entering into a partnership with The Justin Campaign, we are finally starting to move things forward. However, the large amount of ugly, casual homophobic abuse peppering the internet shows just how much work we still have to do.”
The report finds that simple things, such as raising the profile of LGBT issues and achievements, supporting existing community initiatives and ensuring new equality acts and laws are adhered too, with sanctions being imposed for those who persistently break the regulations, are just some of the many ways to take a zero tolerance and challenge homophobia. The report can be found at We’re not Homophobic
And Lindsay’s blog can be found at Just a ball game.
The LGBT Health and Wellbeing Centre in Edinburgh has a physical Activities programme and we have been sent the following information about some events that are part of it:
- Community Sports Day (Festival of Sport Event): Saturday 11 June, 11 am-4 pm, King George V Park, Logan Street, EH3 5EN Join in this school-sports-day event with a twist! Teams and individuals from all of the LGBT community are invited. A great way to find out about all the LGBT sports and community groups. Bring all the family and a picnic for an active day in the sunshine!
- Personalised Fitness Plans: As well as groups and activities we are able to arrange, free of charge, for a qualified fitness instructor to help create a plan that’s right for you. Particularly aimed at those who do not currently feel fit and would like support in taking the next step.
- Swimming: 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month, 4-6 pm. Popular trans-exclusive swimming sessions! Come along to enjoy the fabulous facilities on offer, including the pool, steam room and sauna. No need to book in advance, just turn up on the day and enjoy your swim in a safe and supportive environment.
- Basketball: Drop-in, Tuesdays 6-7 pm, 5 April-28 June, £3 per session. Join these fun and friendly drop-in sessions whether you’re new to the sport or wish to improve your skills.
- Badminton: ShuttleScots Badminton Group, Tuesdays 7-9 pm (Members only), £3 per session. This friendly beginners badminton group is recruiting new members to join in the fun! For those who haven’t picked up a racket in years or just want to improve their skills.
- Keep fit: First Steps Fitness Group, Mondays 6.30-7.30 pm, Beginners fitness group for anyone that wants to get off the sofa and improve their health and fitness.
- Women’s Football: Wednesdays 7-8 pm, £3 per session. Edinburgh’s only LGBT women’s football team are always looking for more members to join them for a kick about no matter what your level or fitness!
- Walking: Sunday Strollers Walking Group, Sunday 19 June, 12 noon. If you are interested in getting out, meeting new people and walking at a gentle pace, join this walk and discover some of Edinburgh’s best kept secrets.
For more details about any of the above, contact the Centre on 0131 523 1100, or via email admin@lgbthealth.org.uk. Their Website is LGBT Centre, although it doesn’t contain any further information about the programme.
Pride Sports increases pressure on Sport England
Sport England’s Satisfaction survey helps to inform the development of sport across England, and ensures the delivery of a ‘lasting legacy’ from the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Rating their satisfaction with a number of aspects of their sporting experience: social, physical environment, staff and volunteers, coaching and opportunities to progress, the survey asks respondents about their age, gender and ethnic background, yet it does not request information on sexual orientation, or provide an opportunity for trans people to identify themselves.
Pride’s Director, Lou Englefield, said: “The problem is, whilst Sport England fail to ask the sexual orientation question or provide an opportunity for trans people to identify themselves, the Sports Council has no way of identifying any trends which relate specifically to LGBT people and sport. For example, the survey could show that LGBT people are more than happy with their sporting experience. It could equally show that they are not.” As a result, Pride Sports is calling on LGBT people involved in sport to use the additional information box towards the end of the survey to identify as LGB or T, and to state if they practice sport as part of an LGBT sports group.
Lou continued: “There are now over 100 LGBT sports and physical activity groups in England alone and new ones establishing themselves every year. But many of these are not affiliated to their sport’s National Governing Bodies and have no contact with County Sports Partnerships, which provide support for grass roots sport in England. It is time Sport England began to ask how satisfied we are with our sporting experience and to invest more in LGBT sport.” Pride Sports will be conducting its own survey of LGBT people and their experience of sport over the summer.