Gay rugby team Newcastle Ravens tackle homophobia in sport
Jan 8 2009 by Chris Robinson, The Journal
Homophobia excludes talent
DESPITE rumours about the sexual preferences of some professional sportsmen, few have “come out”.
Dr Mark Casey, a Newcastle University sociologist specialising in gender, said the sports world with its tough and masculine image was often homophobic, making it hard for players to be themselves.
“People do have an assumption that all sportsmen are heterosexual. The Ravens is changing assumptions about who can play sport.”
Dr Casey said such teams were not only changing the stereotype of gay men, but also the idea of who could, and should, be successful at sport. “It’s also about showing that gay men are actually very good at sport, that the team are really good players and could be better than heterosexual men at their sport.
“I think it [playing for a gay team] would give them the confidence, in time, to play for more traditional heterosexual teams.”
But sport was often a barrier between gay and straight men.
“The fact is many heterosexual men have no interest in team sports whatsoever and that’s often seen to be a taboo about straight men if they have no interest in sport. Homophobia impacts who can get involved in sport.”
No place for prejudice
NEWCASTLE Ravens RFC compete against other gay teams from across the country.
These include the King’s Cross Steelers in London, the Village Spartans in Manchester and Edinburgh-based Thebans.
The biggest event in the gay rugby world is the Bingham Cup, which will be held in either Las Vegas or Minneapolis, USA, in 2010, with members of the Ravens competing.
Now in its fifth year, the tournament was named after American Mark Bingham, a passenger on board Flight 93 which crashed in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, in the September 11 terrorist attacks. In May, London will host the 2009 European gay rugby Union Cup welcoming more than 17 teams.
Gay teams are also welcomed by the RFU. A spokesman said: “Rugby in this country is often incorrectly perceived as an exclusive, white, middle class and conservative sport.
“As a governing body we want the game to be inclusive, open to all irrespective of considerations of race, religion, ethnic origin or sexual orientation.
“Simply put, we think it’s a great game and we want everyone to take part. Prejudice and discrimination have no place in sport.”
