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Abstract

This study aimed to explore views towards homosexual athletes among 298 male and 173 female sport sciences in Turkey. Students’ views were assessed in relation to their gender using a Homophobia in Sports Scale. The results showed that male and female students’ views towards gay male athletes were significantly different, but that attitudes towards lesbian athletes were not. Also, no difference was found between male and female students’ overall views on the level of acceptance of homosexual athletes in various sports. Male and female students’ level of acceptance toward homosexual athletes was lowest for wrestling, boxing, weight lifting, and football; students’ level of acceptance was highest in figure skating, gymnastics, and golf. Similarly, no difference was found between male and female students’ use of positive and negative labels to describe a popular homosexual athlete.

Keywords

• homosexuality, gay athlete, lesbian athlete, homophobia

Exploring the Gender Differences in Sport Homophobia among Turkish Sport Sciences Students

Abstract

Bu çalışma 298 erkek 173 kadın Türk Spor Bilimleri öğrencilerinin eşcinsel sporculara ilişkin görüşlerinin incelenmesini amaçlamıştır. Öğrencilerin Sporda Homofobi Ölçeği kullanılarak alınan görüşleri cinsiyet değişkenine göre incelenmiştir. Bulgular erkek ve kadın öğrencilerin görüşlerinin eşcinsel erkek sporcuya karşı farklılık gösterdiğini; eşcinsel kadın sporcuya karşı ise farklılık göstermediğini göstermiştir. Ayrıca, erkek ve kadın öğrencilerin farklı spor branşlarında eşcinsel sporcuların kabulüne yönelik görüşlerinde de bir fark bulunmamıştır. Erkek ve kadın öğrencilerin eşcinsel sporculara yönelik kabul düzeyinin düşük olduğu branşların güreş, boks, halter ve futbol; kabul düzeyinin yüksek olduğu branşların ise buz pateni, jimnastik ve golf olduğu ortaya çıkmıştır. Benzer şekilde, erkek ve kadın öğrencilerin popüler eşcinsel sporcuyu tanımlamak için kullandıkları sıfatlar arasında da fark ortaya çıkmamıştır.

Keywords

• eşcinsellik, gay sporcu, lezbiyen sporcu, homofobi

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