Experiences of identity development and sexual stigma for lesbian, gay, and bisexual young people in sport: ‘Just survive until you can be who you are’

Abstract

This interpretive study sought to critically examine how the coming-out process for young people who identify as lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) shaped their sport engagement. Using an evocative inquiry framework and stories as a form of knowledge and representation, the perspectives of nine participants from Canada and the United States were examined. Emphasis is placed on how sexual stigma shaped their sport involvement and meanings, the emotionality of their experiences, and the social relationships therein. The findings call attention to the complicated connection that LGB young people have with sport as they develop their sexual identities through the coming-out process while experiencing sexual stigma.

Keywords:

• Bisexual
• evocative inquiry
• identity
• leisure
• lesbian
• gay
• sexual stigma
• sport
• youth

Notes

1. The second author lived in Canada and the USA during the data collection and analysis phase of the project. Although there are vast differences in the Canadian and USA sport systems, LGB young people’s experiences related to sexual stigma was the focus of analysis. In turn, the significance of cultural attitudes related to sexual stigma was seen to be of primary importance.