For "coming out" and other questions, please visit
the safe zone pages.
General Questions
How did the rainbow flag become a gay symbol?
In 1978
Gilbert Baker proposed the idea of a rainbow flag
to the San Francisco Gay Freedom
Day Parade in response to their request for a symbol
that could be used every year. Today, the rainbow flag continues
to be a symbol for the colorful diversity, optimism,
and strength of the gay rights movement worldwide.
Why is a pink triangle
considered a symbol of gay rights?
The pink triangle,
the most widely recognized of all gay symbols, was derived from Nazi Death
camps in WWII. Gay men
were forced to wear pink triangles to mark them,
as Jews wore the yellow Star of David. The gay power movement adopted
the triangle to turn a symbol of degradation into one of pride. Lesbians,
who were not singled out in the camps, were sometimes arrested
as prostitutes and forced to wear the black triangle
worn by those branded as criminals.
What does “lambda” mean?
In the early 1970s, in the wake of the
Stonewall Rebellion (in which gays fought back for the first time against
police harassment and repression), New York City’s Gay Activists
Alliance selected the Greek letter lambda as its
emblem. Since
then the lambda letter has spread throughout the
world as a frequent symbol for gay rights organizations, such as
the Lambda Legal Defense Fund (a gay rights legal services organization).
What
do the letters LGBT(QIA) mean?
This is a handy acronym
that summarizes the main constituent groups within
the overall “Gay
Community.” Specifically,
the so-called Gay Community includes Lesbian women,
Gay men, Bisexual people of both genders, Transgender
people, Questioning people who aren’t
sure about their sexuality, Intersexual people
who have physical features of both sexes, and Allies
who are heterosexual and support gay rights.
What does “transgender” refer
to?
Although there is much variation in how the word
is defined, most people use “transgender” to refer to individuals
whose gender identity doesn’t fit into the usual rigid male/female
categories. Note that the word “transvestite” has
a different, much more specific meaning (referring
specifically to the practice of cross-dressing—i.e. men or
women, whether straight or gay, who wear clothing associated with
the opposite gender.
Why is lavender often associated with the gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender rights movements?
Connections between
purple and ancient gay stories and traditions indicate
that lavender has considerably more significance
than the mixture of “female
red” and “male blue” colors. Purple
represents, brings about, and is present during
radical transformation from one state of being
to another.
Isn’t the word “queer an insult? How
can using “queer” be
a sign of pride?
It is used to be an insult all
right, but we’re taking the word
back, using it to refer to ourselves in a non-insulting
way, in order to take away others’ power to hurt us. “Queer” is
also a very useful word because it is so inclusive. It is much
easier to talk about the Queer community, for example,
than to keep saying Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender
or LGBT.
Why are you gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender?
The general consensus
in Psychology and Medicine is that genetic factors
probably do play some role in determining sexual
orientation. This genetic background
is then accompanied by environmental factors such
as the culture you grow up in, your parents’ education
and beliefs, your religion, whether you meet gay
friends in your youth, etc. etc. etc.—factors that shape this
(perhaps only somewhat) predetermined orientation,
either smothering it or letting it unfold. It
is rather true to say that your sexual orientation
is a natural, and important, part of who you are.
Can “conversion
therapy” change sexual orientation?
No. The reality is
that homosexuality is not an illness. It
does not require treatment and is not changeable. In 1973,
the American Psychiatric Association removed homosexuality
from the official manual that lists mental and emotional disorders. Two
years later, the American Psychological Association
resolved to support the removal. Ever
since, both associations have urged all mental
health professionals to help dispel the stigma
of mental illness associated with homosexual orientation.
Why do some
gay men, lesbians, and bisexuals tell people about
their sexual orientation?
They tell about it because
sharing that aspect of themselves with others is
important to their mental health. In fact, the process
of identity development for lesbians, gay men, and
bisexuals, called coming out, has been found to
be strongly related to psychological adjustment—the
more positive the gay, lesbian, or bisexual identity,
the better one’s
mental health and the higher one’s self-esteem.
Are All gay
and bisexual men HIV infected?
No. This is a commonly held myth. In
reality, the risk of exposure to HIV is related
to a person’s
behavior, not his or her sexual orientation. What’s important
to remember about HIV/AIDS is that it can be prevented
by using safe sexual practices and by not using drugs.
What is cross
dressing?
The desire to wear the clothing of the
other sex is independent of one’s sexual preference. Many
gay, bisexual, and heterosexual men like to wear women’s clothing
in private or in public and may even fantasize
on occasion about becoming a woman. Most, however, have no
desire to actually change their sex. These men are called crossdressers
or transvestites, although the latter term has
fallen out of favor. Women
also crossdress, and in larger numbers than has previously
been acknowledged.
Videos
Frameline
Frameline has been the only national distributor solely dedicated to the promotion, distribution, and exhibition of lesbian and gay film and video since 1981. Their distribution collection has over 175 titles for rental and sale, from experimental to narrative, documentary, and short fiction. They are a non-profit media arts organization, established in conjunction with the San Francisco International Lesbian & Gay Film Festival.
http://www.frameline.org/distribution/
New Day
New Day is a collective of more than 50 filmmakers from across the U. S. representing over 100 films and is a true cooperative and democratically run organization dedicated to bringing high quality social issue media to their audiences. They also have a strong commitment to promoting diversity within the membership of New Day and within the content of the media they distribute.
http://www.newday.com/subjects/index.html
Queer People of Color Documentaries
Frequently Asked Questions About LGBT People in Sports
How are LGBT people discriminated against in sports?
Individual athletes sometimes call LGBT people in athletics names,
spread rumors about them, or encourage others to avoid contact with
them. Coaches sometimes require LGBT athletes to keep their identities
hidden or try to encourage the athlete to change their sexual orientation.
In extreme cases, LGBT people in athletics are physically threatened;
or their property is vandalized. Some coaches or schools have policies
that prohibit lesbians and gays from their teams, or they do not give
lesbians and gays fair treatment in playing time or coaching attention.
Some college coaches play on the fears of high school recruits and
their parents by spreading rumors about lesbians or gay men at other
schools.
How does discrimination against LGBT people affect straight athletes
and coaches?
When LGBT people in sports are stigmatized, many young men and women
go to great lengths to avoid association with lesbians and gay men
by monitoring their appearance, mannerisms, and relationships with
peers. In women's sports, the lesbian label is often used to discourage
women from challenging inequities between men's and women's sports.
If women fear being called lesbians, this can be an effective way to
intimidate women into accepting less than equal treatment. When young
male athletes express hatred of or engage in violence against gays
or lesbians, they are acting on irrational fears and prejudice rather
than reason and values of respect. When people participate in the harassment
or discrimination against any group based on stereotypes and fears,
they diminish themselves and do not take advantage of opportunities
to learn how to challenge social norms so that everyone is treated
respectfully.
What are the different experiences of white LGBT people and LGBT
people of color on teams?
LGBT coaches or athletes of color must contend with prejudice against
LGBT people as well as prejudice and discrimination because of their
race. Because of this, the experiences of LGBT athletes or coaches
of color are often different from those of white LGBT people. For example,
they may feel less willing to identify themselves as members of two
groups who are discriminated against. In addition, LGBT people of color
sometimes find it difficult to find support among white LGBT people
or straight people of color which places them in a difficult and isolated
position. The more everyone can understand the connections among different
discriminations like racism and heterosexism, the easier it will be
for people of color who are also LGBT to find support and safety among
coaches and teammates of all races and sexual orientations.
How can coaches address the use of "fag" and "dyke" as
slurs and put-downs in the game or locker room? By players? By coaches?
Prevention is always the best way to address name-calling or put-downs
of any kind. Coaches should make it clear as part of team policies
that name-calling of any kind by anyone is unacceptable. Coaches and
parents can also set a powerful example by avoiding name-calling or
put-downs to motivate athletes. When name-calling is used, the situation
can be an opportunity to help athletes and coaches understand its negative
consequences and how it can affect the overall climate of a team. Coaches
who take this opportunity to talk with athletes and other coaches about
name-calling will find that it becomes less of a problem and that team
interactions improve.
What should coaches do about straight players who refuse to accept
LGBT teammates?
Many people have prejudices of some kind against different groups
of people. Being part of an athletic team can be an opportunity for
all athletes to learn how group prejudice is based on demeaning stereotypes
that dehumanize individuals and limit our ability to make friends and
work together as a team. Encouraging athletes to examine their prejudices
through informal discussion and formal educational programs can be
helpful for many athletes. It is important to make it clear that, regardless
of their individual prejudices, everyone on the team must be treated
with respect and dignity. This expectation is crucial to developing
effective teamwork and a climate of safety for everyone.
What should coaches do about players who are uncomfortable with
lesbians or gay men in the locker room?
When players express concerns of this kind, they are usually based
on stereotypes that depict lesbians and gay men as sexual predators.
When players react out of unfounded fear based on stereotypes, coaches
have an opportunity to work with these athletes to help them overcome
their fear. In actuality, lesbians and gay men in the locker room are
focused on the same things that their heterosexual teammates are: the
upcoming game, how or how much they will play, a paper due for a tough
class, caring for an injury, or laughing and talking with teammates.
Everyone's privacy should be respected in the locker room, and no athlete
should engage in any activity that invades the privacy of another regardless
of sexual orientation. If anyone in the locker room engages in this
kind of activity, this behavior should be addressed without regard
to sexual orientation.
How can athletes play on a team with LGBTs when their religion
is against homosexuality?
One of the strengths of democratic living is that tolerance of different
religious perspectives is expected. As a result, each member of a team
is entitled to her or his personal religious beliefs and should be
protected from having others criticize or try to change them. Another
strength and challenge of democratic living is working effectively
with others even when members of the group do not share common personal
beliefs. Learning to interact with teammates respectfully and productively,
even when personal or religious values are not shared, is an important
skill for all team members. Many schools have non-discrimination policies
that require that everyone on a team be treated fairly regardless of
sexual orientation or religion. In this case, working effectively across
differences is not only a positive value for teams, it is a legal requirement.
What can an athlete do if she or he believes a coach might be discriminating
against them because of her or his sexual orientation
or gender identity (for example receiving less playing time or coaching
attention)?
The athlete can make an appointment to talk to the coach and ask him
or her to help them understand the coach's decisions. The coach may
have performance or strategic reasons that he or she can explain to
the athlete. If the athlete still believes that the coach is singling
him or her out for unfair treatment, he or she can ask a teammate whose
opinions they respect and in whom they can confide, for their perspective.
If the athlete still believes that they are being discriminated against,
they can contact the office on campus that addresses discrimination
at the school. Usually these contacts are confidential and, once the
athlete gets more information from this office, he or she can decide
how to proceed with the complaint through informal or formal procedures.
There are also national organizations that provide legal assistance
to people who think they are being discriminated against because of
their sexual orientation or gender identity: National Center for Lesbian
Rights, American Civil Liberties Union, Gay and Lesbian Advocates and
Defenders, and Lambda Legal Fund.
What can a coach do when a parent, recruit, or a reporter asks, "Do
you have lesbians/gay men on your team?"
Perhaps the most accurate response to a question like this is "I
assume so" or "I assume we will have in the future or have
had in the past." Coaches can then follow up with this question, "Why
do you ask?" to invite the asker to elaborate on her or his concerns.
Coaches could also say that they expect to have a diverse team and
see this as a great opportunity for athletes to learn how to respect
differences and still work together as a team. In any case, the idea
that having lesbians or gay men play on a team or coach a team is becoming
much more accepted in athletics as stereotypes are increasingly challenged
and as coaches take more leadership in setting a respectful tone. The
more coaches can take questions like this in stride and respond without
fear, the less a problem it will be.
What can a coach do if a player comes out to her or him?
First, the coach can be proud to have developed a trusting relationship
with the athlete that enables the athlete to feel that she or he can
come to the coach with this information. Coming out to a coach, who
has power over an athlete's career, can be a great risk. Second, the
coach must respect the athlete's confidentiality. This personal information
is the athlete's to share with others, not the coach's. If the athlete
is seeking counseling, the coach can provide information about school
counseling services or other resources that are gay-friendly. The coach
can reassure the athlete that he or she respects their privacy and
can ask for the athlete's advice on how to best support her or him.
Many coaches in this situation want to be helpful, but do not believe
they know what to do. Coaches can rely on their best instincts for
how to respond to any athlete who shares important personal information
with them. Coaches do not need to be an expert to respond in a positive
and supportive way to an athlete who comes out to them. If coaches
need to consult with someone, they can contact resources on their campus,
in the community, or talk to another coach who can provide information,
support, or guidance.
What can a coach do if a player wants to come out to the team?
Young lesbian and gay athletes have many reasons for wanting to publicly
claim their identities. Keeping such an important secret about oneself
is stressful and has negative effects on athletic and academic performance
as well as relationships with friends, family, and teammates. It is
unfair to ask an athlete who wants to come out to teammates to keep
a secret that has such debilitating effects. Coaches might advise the
player to consult with a counselor first to talk about this decision
and also to decide how to do it in the most positive way. The coach
in this situation plays an important role in making sure that the player
who is coming out is supported and ensuring that the rest of the team
responds in a positive way. Coaches can find resources at their school
or on the internet to help them develop a plan to support the player
and her or his teammates. This courageous decision by a gay or lesbian
athlete to live openly and honestly can have positive effects on her
or him as well as the rest of the team when the coach takes leadership
to ensure a positive reaction.
Why are some women athletes so concerned about appearing ultra-feminine
off the playing field?
Unfortunately, the lesbian label in women's sports is still used in
an attempt to intimidate some women athletes, to try to make women
feel as if they do not belong in athletics, or to make them feel self-conscious
about their athleticism. Though this is changing, some women still
try to accentuate their feminine appearance or their heterosexual interests
as a way to "prove" that they are not lesbians. In actuality,
a woman's appearance is unrelated to her sexual orientation, but femininity
is stereotypically associated with heterosexuality. We are still working
toward a sports world in which athleticism is a human quality unrelated
to gender or sexuality. The more women and men can express their genders
in ways that are comfortable for them rather than to conform to gender
stereotypes or avoid being called gay, the closer we will be to this
ideal.
Why don't more LGBT athletes and coaches come out?
When LGBT athletes and coaches keep their identities a secret, it
is usually because they fear being discriminated against or harassed.
They also fear losing friends or being ostracized by their teammates
or families. Sometimes LGBT athletes and coaches believe that coming
out would distract attention from their athletic accomplishments and
put them in the public spotlight for their sexuality rather than their
own individual or their team's performance. As more schools, coaching
associations, and other athletic governing organizations enact inclusive
non-discrimination policies and sponsor educational programs for athletic
staff and athletes, the climate in athletics will become safer for
more LGBT athletes and coaches to identify themselves. This in turn
will reduce discrimination and harassment as other athletes and coaches,
as well as fans and the general public learn to accept LGBT athletes
and coaches as a part of the athletic arena.
Will having "out" athletes or coaches affect "team
chemistry?"
No single response adequately answers this question. Some teams do
not respond well to having an openly lesbian or gay teammate or coach,
and their ability to work together suffers. Some teams improve their "team
chemistry" after learning that one of their members is gay or
lesbian; it draws the team closer together and they perform better.
How a team responds depends on several factors which team captains,
coaches, and athletic directors can take some leadership to address.
A team's response is guided by how these leaders set the tone, how
supportive they are, how they integrate this new information into the
day-to-day life of the team, and how they set expectations for respectful
interactions among the team. If a coach perceives this situation as
a team crisis or is not supportive of the individual athlete, it is
much more difficult for a team to overcome the prejudices and fears
of some team members and team chemistry can be negatively affected.
On the other hand, when athletic directors, coaches, and captains take
leadership, an opportunity is opened for everyone to learn and grow;
and a team can improve their ability to work together on and off the
playing field.
From It Takes A Team: Making Sports Safe for Lesbian and Gay Athletes
and Coaches - homophobiainsports.com
Further resources at: http://www.lesbianandgaysports.com/,
http://www.ItTakesATeam.org.
Powerpoint Presentation: It Takes a Team!
|
