The chaos of inclusion? Examining anti-homophobia policy development in New Zealand sport

Highlights

•	Investigation into organisational approach to anti-homophobia in New Zealand sport.
•	Integrated, multiple theory approach to provide thorough conceptual analysis.
•	Consideration of inclusion rather than targeting marginalised groups.
•	Balance between business case and social justice approach advocated.

Abstract

Sport is inherently homophobic and sport managers have been able to do little to address this. The purpose of this research was to examine the work of the ‘Sport for All’ Steering Group in New Zealand. This group was made up of six National Sport Organisations. Three research questions were addressed: Why were the organisations involved; what were their priorities and how can they be examined conceptually; and what (if any) strategies could help to develop the goals of the group? A conceptual framework was developed in which a combination of social identity theory, critical theory, and post-structuralism were utilised to examine the complexities of the steering group’s work. Six semi-structured interviews were conducted by phone. The following themes were examined: the organisations’ initial responses to the creation of the steering group; the complexities of the work; and the potential to develop inclusion through community. It was found that the organisational respondents used multiple conceptual approaches to inform and justify their work. Suggestions for inclusion development using the organisations’ ideas and enthusiasm alongside the funding framework of Sport New Zealand are offered.

Keywords:

• Sexuality
• Inclusion
• Diversity
• New Zealand
• Governance

Notes

1 The report focuses “on issues of sexuality, rather than gender, which is why we use LGB rather than the now standard LGBTI” (p. 9). Recognising that there are many similarities between LGB and LGBTI experiences, the report explains that transgender and intersex athletes have even more complex concerns in sport, which were beyond its scope.

2 Play by the Rules is an Australian based organisation committed to the reduction of harassment, bullying and development of inclusion and child protection in sport (About Play by the Rules, 2017).

3 The respondent is referring to an increase in reported mental health problems and suicide by current and ex-professional rugby league players (Masters, 2016).

4 The NZ dialect tends to use understatement as a linguistic device. ‘Slightly contentious’ in this case was intended to mean ‘very contentious’

5 Iwi is the Māori word for tribe. ‘Te Iwi Kiwi’ is a play on words using iwi and the colloquial collective term for New Zealanders – Kiwi.

6 Fa’afine (literally ‘in the manner of’ fa’a, woman fine’) is recognised as a third sex in Samoan culture. Born as boys, these people embody masculine and feminine traits and have specific roles that reflect both genders in Samoan society.