Our LGBTQ+ community in volleyball. #INCLUSIVEBYDESIGN#
The Volleyball England Foundation project aims to build strong relationships across communities by creating more inclusive sporting environments for LGBTQ+ people and reducing the barriers towards participation.
Many LGBTQ+ individuals face specific barriers when participating in sports, yet 77% of LGBTQ+ people report that they are more likely to join sports clubs if they are actively labelled as LGBTQ+ inclusive or friendly (CPSU, 2018).
Our project will provide an e-learning toolkit that will enable easy access information for all volleyball clubs, and will support training and workshops, to combat these barriers. NHS England suggest that group sessions which involve physical activity are some of the most effective ways to engage young people from this background. We have seen examples of this within volleyball clubs, that when we foster welcome and inclusive environments individuals from this background not only join clubs but also bring their other LGBTQ+ friends along and that they remain in the club.
Did you know?
17 per cent of lesbian, gay, bi and trans people have experienced and 49 per cent have witnessed homophobia or transphobia in sport.
66 per cent of lesbian, gay, bi and trans people felt that there were problems with homophobia and transphobia in sport and that this acted as a barrier to LGBT people taking part.
One in eight LGBT people (12 per cent) avoid going to the gym or participating in sports groups because of fear of discrimination and harassment.
Only half of lesbian, gay and bi people (46 per cent) and trans people (47 per cent) feel able to be open about their sexual orientation or gender identity to everyone in their family.
Three in ten bi men (30 per cent) and almost one in ten bi women (8 per cent), say they cannot be open about their sexual orientation with any of their friends, compared to two per cent of gay men and one per cent of lesbians.
Half of black, Asian and minority ethnic LGBT people (51 per cent) have experienced discrimination or poor treatment from others in their local LGBT community because of their ethnicity.
Young LGBTQ+ people in Volleyball
Do you have young people in your club that are LGBTQ+? Here is a really helpful webinar from the Child Protection in Sport Unit.
LGBTQ+ children and young people face the same risks as all children and young people, but they are at greater risk of some types of abuse.
It’s essential that clubs create a supportive and welcoming culture for all children, safe from harm and a place where they can thrive.
Being LGBTQ+ isn’t a safeguarding risk, it’s how others in our society may behave towards a young person who categorises themselves as LGBTQ+ that may cause risk. Many young people may just want to discuss with you how they feel, so it's important that if they trust you to talk to, you respond in a positive supportive manner.
Key things to remember
treat everyone with respect and fully implement equal opportunities
let young people know that they can talk to you and that their privacy will be respected - confidentiality practice should reflect that of your safeguarding procedure
support young people to find the right information and specialist support services
reinforce an ethos of acceptance and difference
support all young people within your club or activity, so they feel valued, heard, able to express themselves and progress in their sport
challenge abusive or harmful behaviours (homophobia, transphobia, racism, sexism, and any other form of discrimination)
challenge gender stereotypes and celebrate difference
promote LGBTQ+ related events and campaigns to demonstrate openly that your club or activity has inclusive values
do not automatically assume a person’s sexual orientation or gender
promote LGBTQ+ specialist services to everyone in your sport or activity