LGBTQ kids less likely to play sports: study
Posted February 26, 2017 9:20 am.
Last Updated February 26, 2017 9:21 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – UBC research says gay, lesbian, and bi-sexual teens are half as likely to play sports compared to their straight counterparts.
Elizabeth Saewyc is one of the researchers behind the study. She says this poses a real problem.
“All kids really should be encouraged to be in sports. And we need to come up with important opportunities for grassroots in community sports programs to actually have the skills to reach out and create that inclusive space.”
There are some obvious reasons why LGBTQ kids may lean away from sports, according to Chris Mosier with the group You Can Play.
“Young people receive that subtle message that sport is not the place for them. And I think it comes through in the casually homophobic that a lot of sporting spaces have as just part of the culture.”
But You Can Play is trying to change that culture.
“As an example, the NHL, most recently, has an ambassador for You Can Play on every single team in the league,” says Mosier.
“Just to have these role models, these sports heroes, stand behind this message really helps to push forward change.”
Captain Henrik Sedin is the Canucks representative.
