Homosexuality and the Heartbeat of a Locker Room: An Analysis of Quotations in the Context of Hegemonic and Inclusive Masculinity Theories.
2016Journal of homosexuality
Luisi ML, Luisi T, Geana MV
Plain English
This study looked at how U.S. sports media reacted to the coming-out announcements of Jason Collins and Michael Sam, the first openly gay athletes in the NBA and NFL, respectively. Researchers analyzed 405 quotes and found that the NBA is generally more accepting of gay teammates, while the NFL tends to stick to traditional masculine attitudes and is less welcoming. This is important because it highlights the ongoing challenges for LGBTQ+ athletes in professional sports, even as leagues voice support for equality.
Who this helps: LGBTQ+ athletes and advocates for equality in sports.