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# Study: Young LGBTQ+ people avoiding sports due to fear of discrimination
- URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/study-young-lgbtq-people-avoiding-sports-due-to-fear-of-discrimination/
- Published: 2021-09-20T08:45:52.000Z
- Updated: 2021-09-19T08:46:01.000Z
- Description: A new study, released on Wednesday by the Trevor Project, has found only 1 in 3 young LGBTQ+ people in the US participate in sports.
- Author: Rachel Badham
- Tags: News, Queer Corner, Sport, LGBTQ, LGBTQ Inclusion, LGBTQ youth, queer, Sports, The Trevor Project, Trans, US

A [new study](https://www.thetrevorproject.org/2021/09/15/research-brief-youth-sports-participation/?ref=scenemag.co.uk), released on Wednesday by the Trevor Project, has found only 1 in 3 young LGBTQ+ people in the US participate in sports, with many avoiding group sports due to the fear of not being accepted. In comparison, over half (68%) of straight, cisgender youth reported being involved with sports, with 18% of all those who do participate saying they had heard negative things about LGBTQ+ people from a sports leader or coach.

Many LGBTQ+ respondents cited fear as their reason for not participating in sporting activities, with one young person saying: *“I’m scared I will be harassed because of my sexuality.”* Another said that they are afraid to use changing facilities due to lesbophobia: *“Girls in my class don’t want me to change in the locker room with them because they think I’ll stare at them/hit on them because I’m lesbian.”*

![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/lgbt-sports-soccer-ball-1.jpg)

Many trans and gender non-conforming participants reported being unable to participate in school sports due to [discriminatory policies](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/20-us-states-file-bills-targeting-trans-people/) that prevent trans inclusion. One respondent explained: *“I probably wouldn’t be allowed onto the boys’ team because I’m a trans boy (both parents and school won’t allow this), and even if I was allowed I’d be at a huge risk of bullying.”* Other reasons for LGBTQ+ youth not participating in sports included a lack of interest, financial restrictions and health conditions.

The study concluded: *“No young person should be barred from the benefits of sports participation – friendship, fun, and stress relief – due to their sexual orientation or gender identity.”* It also noted that policies seeking to prevent trans participation in sports *“only serve to heighten experiences of stigma and reduce the ability of youth to receive the positive physical, social, and emotional benefits of sports.”*

![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/sports-track-600-400.jpg)