Athletes' Perceptions of the Sport Climate for Athletes with Non-gender-congruent Gender Expressions and Non-heterosexual Sexual Orientations in Taiwan

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore athletes' perceptions of the sport climate for athletes with non-gender-congruent gender expressions and non-heterosexual sexual orientations. Surveys on attitudes/perceived climate, prejudiced incidents, and relevant institutional policies were completed by 130 male and 81 female athletes from college varsity teams in Taiwan. Repeated measures MANOVA results showed that male participants perceived the climate as more hostile for athletes with non- gender-congruent gender expressions and non-heterosexual sexual orientations than did female participants, especially when the target is a male. Male participants rated their own attitudes toward male athletes with non- gender-congruent gender expressions and non-heterosexual sexual orientations as more negative than those of teammates, coaches or sports in general, while female participants perceived their own attitudes as most inclusive and coaches' attitudes as most negative. The prevalence of negative comments, incidents of physical assaults related to gender expression or sexual orientation, and the lack of intervention or institutional protection is a call for action.